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“What? No” Michelle shook her head “That doesn’t sound right”

“It’s true! I reo down to the ditch near our house just to pick flowers every day for you I thought he was just being stupid, but I guess he liked you even then”

Her mouth fell open in awe “You mean those dandelions that he would shove intome”

“No, I think they were a third grader’s way of announcing his love for you” Garret threw his head back and chuckled “I think I even reh school locker roo rude about you again I didn’t think much of it then, but now it makes sense”

She hadn’t realized that Joseph had done those things for her Her heart warht If only she’d known If only she’d realized before norong she and Garret were for each other and how Joseph was the man she needed

“I don’t know if I can face hi like lead “I really don’t”

“H his head slowly

They sat sitting staring out at the ducks for a long, quiet moment, before Garret stood and offered her a hand She took it, dusting off her pants where she’d been sitting on the log When she looked back at him, he had a look of excitement on his face His eyes were narrowed in concentration, as if he were just working his way through a thought

“What if I can fix things?” he asked, rubbing a hand along his chin “Would you trust ht?”

She hesitated, knowing that the last place she wanted to be tonight was in a crowded hall full of happy couples, but the look in his eye drew her in “Okay, I trust you”

“Good” He gave a nod of his head, a s you all of e So don’t let me down”

She tried to suppress a shten “And can I ask what the plan is?”

“It’s tiether vigorously

Chapter Ten

Joseph still couldn’t believe his brother had convinced hi He stared up at the clock on the Town Hall, his stoht, with the sky above appearing cloudless and as the perfect inky blue color The stars had just begun to wake up, dotting the sky above like a gorgeous canvas