An Unexpected Love by Tracie Peterson, Judith Miller Page A

“It isn’t difficult once you understand the design. Wesley made a drawing for me. The arrangement of the flower gardens and hedges is quite easy to navigate once you’ve seen it mapped on paper.”
    “It’s good to know we need not worry about losing you,” Amanda remarked. Though she barely knew him, Amanda had made it abundantly clear she didn’t approve of Wesley. However, Sophie remained confident that once Amanda became better acquainted with Wesley, she, too, would think him the perfect match for her.
    “This way,” Sophie whispered. “Keep your voice low, or he may hear us. We’re getting close.”
    Sophie had chosen the perfect spot. There was a bench on each side of the hedgerow that provided both seating and the ability to hear Fanny and Daniel as they conversed. The two girls tucked their skirts tight to prevent any rustling when they sat down. Amanda leaned close to Sophie’s ear. “I don’t hear anything,” she whispered.
    Sophie touched her finger to her lips and leaned against the back of the bench, straining to hear. Perhaps Fanny had misunderstood her instructions. She’d nearly given up when she finally heard Fanny speak to Daniel. “Do come along, Daniel. You’re walking much too slow. At this rate you’ll never regain strength in your leg.”
    Daniel loudly complained of his pain and the need to rest.
    “I suppose if you can go no farther, we can rest on this bench for a time,” Fanny said. “Did you bring your book of poetry?”
    Sophie poked Amanda’s arm and grinned.
    “Not today.”
    Sophie curled her lip and Amanda shrugged. Unless Fanny could persuade him to recite something from memory, this wouldn’t prove to be much fun. Sophie truly doubted Daniel had committed much poetry to memory.
    “I’m disappointed. I thought you said you wanted to read to me,” Fanny said.
    “I do. I’ve written something especially for you. Something that expresses how I feel about you.”
    Sophie clapped her hand over her mouth to keep from shrieking with joy. She could barely contain herself. What pure delight— Daniel had prepared a love poem for Fanny, and they would have the pleasure of hearing him recite to her.
    “I call this ‘Ode to My Love.’ ” Daniel cleared his throat. “It goes like this:
“My one true love shall always be,
A woman who daily walks with me.
Her auburn hair the breeze does billow,
And wave before me like a pussy willow.
Her eyes of brown shimmer in the light,
To present me with constant delight.
She moves with practiced grace at dawn,
Like an elegant, long-necked, gliding swan.
Her long thin fingers I long to hold;
Or should I attempt to be so bold?”
    “No! You should not be so bold,” Fanny shrieked.
    Sophie had doubled over and was holding her nose in a valiant attempt to remain quiet while Amanda chortled behind her gloved hand.
    “Who is there?” Daniel shouted. Soon he was clubbing the hedgerow with his cane. “Come out of there, or I’ll flog you with my cane!”
    “Stop, Daniel! It’s Amanda and Sophie, and you’re going to hurt them.”
    Sophie moved to one side as the wooden cane sliced through the hedge. When she turned around, Daniel had stuck his head and shoulders through the opening and was peering at her as though she’d grown another head.
    “What are the two of you doing eavesdropping on us? Your behavior is unconscionable.” A branch flipped back and slapped him in the face, and he withdrew. “Don’t either of you attempt to run off. I want to speak to you.”
    His leg was apparently feeling much better, for he rounded the end of the hedge and hurried toward them at full speed.
    “Do be careful, Daniel. We wouldn’t want you to further injure your leg,” Sophie said.
    He pointed his cane at Amanda. “I can believe Sophie would do this, but I’m surprised you would condone such behavior, Amanda. I plan to discuss this conduct with your mother.”
    Sophie chuckled. “And we plan to discuss your conduct with her,