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| Chapter 6 As I was inspecting the piles of materials that scattered my yard it dawned on me – I hadn’t even given thought to how I would dig the hole for the pond. Once again, I had jumped the gun and done something without thinking. It seemed that I was doing that a lot lately. But, so what! I was starting a new life in a new place and so far it was going pretty well. "I guess I’ll be digging for a while.", I said to myself as I shook my head. "Why is that?", Jeff said causing me jump almost out of my skin. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.", he said trying not to laugh at me. I just looked at him as I clutched my chest and tried to regain my composure. Then I started laughing. "What’s so funny?", he asked. "I’ll get use to the country life before long.", I replied. He smiled that gorgeous smile. I almost melted but gained control of myself before it became obvious. "So, what’s this about the digging?" "Well, dummy me, in all of my big plans for the yard, I forgot one little detail. How am I going to dig the hole for the pond?", I answered feeling very stupid. "You’re putting a pond in?", he asked. "Yeah, not a big one. Just like an oversized goldfish pond. You know with the big Chinese Carp, or whatever they are." "Yeah, that will be pretty. What’s the rest of this stuff for?", he asked. "Me and my over exaggerated imagination – I drew up this plan of how I want the yard to look. Now I have to figure out how to do it.", I explained as I laughed at myself. "Can I see the plans?", he asked seriously. "It’s not really plans, it’s just something I drew to kind of see where I wanted things.", I informed him. He smiled, "That’s plans." Why I seemed turn into a complete idiot when he was around, I didn’t have a clue. I blushed and retrieved the papers from the house. He looked them over, "This is going to look great." "Thanks.", I said. "You know, I can help you when I’m home.", he offered. "I couldn’t ask you to do that. You guys are hardly home. I’m sure you have lots to catch up on when you do make it home.", I insisted. "Really, it’s not a problem. This is the kind of stuff I like to do.", he in turn insisted. "Jeff, really. I couldn’t ask you to do that. Your family has already done so much for me.", I stated. "I’ll tell ya what, when I’m home, I’ll take care of the things I need to do at home, then if I have any spare time I’ll help you. Is it a deal?", he pleaded. How could I refuse those eyes? "Deal.", I stated with a smile. I took the plans back into the house and when I returned, he was gone. I just shook my head and returned to inspecting my things. I heard a noise in the background that sounded like a motor running. It seemed to get louder and louder. Suddenly there was a tractor rounding my house and stopping a few feet from me. Jeff turned off the engine and looked at me, "So, where do you want this pond?" "Jeff, what are you doing?", I asked. He climbed off of the tractor and walked over to me, "We made a deal. I’m home and I have some spare time. You need a hole dug and I have a tractor that can dig it." "What is it with you Hardy people and being nice to strangers?", I asked playfully. "You’re not a stranger…anymore.", he said staring into my eyes. I could feel us gravitating closer to one another so I quickly broke away and lead him to the spot meant for the pond. He nodded before returning to the tractor. In no time at all, Jeff had the hole dug. With his help, I put in the plastic lining of the pond and filled the remainder of the hole with dirt. He helped me hook up the two fountains on both ends and also the lights. We worked until it was almost dark. After the pond was filled with water, we stood back and flipped the switch. It was perfect – just as I had imagined it. I was so excited that I didn’t realize what I was doing and jumped on Jeff hugging him. When I realized what I was doing, I pulled away and struggled for something to say, but all I came up with was, "sorry." I didn’t know what else to say. I suddenly felt awkward. "There you are, Jeff.", Michelle said walking into the backyard. I was saved. "Who’s looking for me?", he asked. "Your girl.", she answered with a sarcastic smile. "She must not want to find me too badly. She’s not out looking herself.", he huffed. Michelle just shrugged her shoulders. "I better go anyway.", he said climbing onto the tractor. "Thanks a lot, Jeff.", I called to him. "Anytime.", he returned with a wink and a smile. He started the tractor then disappeared around the house. Michelle just smiled at me – a big, goofy smile. "What?", I asked. "Thanks Jeff.", she teased. I picked up a clod of dirt and threw it at her as she ran off. I very contentedly walked into my house. I took a shower and went to bed, happier than I had been in a long time. Last Chapter ..*.. Next Chapter ..*.. Chapter Index ..*.. Home |