Mona Hodgson by Dandelions on the Wind

Author:Dandelions on the Wind [Wind, Dandelions on the]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Mid verse, the flute’s music ceased. The recorder continued, at the hands of a less experienced musician.

“Mr. Wainwright?”

He peeked around the doorframe to see Miss Jensen standing beside the piano, a smile teasing her lips. He removed his hat and entered the warm room. “How did you know?”

“You were humming along.”

He hadn’t realized he was humming. Nor had he realized that Miss Jensen had developed especially keen hearing, no doubt due to her failing eyesight. A good thing to keep in mind.

He approached the piano where she and Gabi stood. “Please continue. It was beautiful.”

The grandfather clock sprang to life, sounding its hourly cacophony, a wholly unwelcome intrusion.

Miss Jensen began pulling the flute apart. “I’m afraid I’ve lost track of time, and I’m due to start dinner.”

“Does Oma still have music time after Sunday dinners?”

“We do. Yes.” Gabi’s smile brightened her eyes, the shade of bluebonnets.

“I’ll look forward to it.”

Miss Jensen placed the flute parts in the box, then looked at him. “You’re staying then?”

“I plan to.”

“I want you to.” Gabi set her recorder on the piano bench and gave his leg a hug. “You have to.”

Emotion clogging his throat, he reached into his pocket and felt around for the right gift. “Little one, I brought you something from town.” He handed her the paper-wrapped present.

Her eyes widening, Gabi seated herself on the piano bench and unfolded the paper. “It’s an ornament, Miss Maren!” The metal angel dangled from her finger as if it were hanging on the branch of a Christmas tree.

Miss Jensen stepped toward them and held the angel to her face. “It’s lovely.” She returned the ornament to Gabi then set her flute box on the bottom shelf of the bookcase.

“PaPa, did you bring Miss Maren a present too?”

“I did.” The words were out before he could stop them.

“You did?” Miss Jensen blinked feverishly. Was she trying to focus her vision, or had he made her nervous? “You shouldn’t have. I don’t even know—”

“Yet, you’ve cared for my daughter very well.” Woolly reached into his pocket and handed Miss Jensen the other paper-wrapped package.

Seated on the sofa, she carefully pulled the paper layers back as if it were an onion. Her lips pressed in concentration, she raised the gift into the light.

Gabi sat beside her. “It’s a whistle,” she said. “That’s a lovely gift too.”

Miss Jensen nodded while Woolly’s insides tightened. He shouldn’t be giving her gifts at all. She barely knew him.

He paced from the sofa to the piano and back. “I thought.” He stopped in front of her. “It’s in case some lunk should come trespassing and startle you in the barn. I would come running.”

Her face turning a lovely shade of pink, Miss Jensen draped the silver chain over her open hand. She clasped the copper whistle with her other hand and looked at him with a focused gaze that could pierce the darkest night.

Woolly watched as she lifted the chain over her head, the whistle resting on her lace bib. She held the copper trinket in her fingers.

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