Adri Sinclair's Blog - Posts Tagged "cullinary-seduction"

Matt
by

Merritt Kelly

Jenna looked at the blooms, pure, glaring white, without even a hint of blemish. They were breathtaking. Normally she considered rhododendrons a humble flower. But in this setting, and the sheer number, the effect was stunning. It reminded her of the ruffles on a bridal gown. She steadied her hand and took a picture. At the edge of the garden she saw a tall man leaning on a shovel. Something about his bearing was familiar. He began to walk toward and it hit her. It was Matt! A smile spread over his face and he held out a hand.
"I guess what they say it true. If you build it they will come. How are you Jenna?" he asked hardly believing his eyes.
”I’m fine Matt. I was in town visiting my daughter and grandchildren. They told me about this place and said I should visit. They didn’t do it justice. It's gorgeous," she enthused, giving his hand a squeeze before releasing it.
"Thank you I try," he answered.
"It must have taken you years," Jenna observed.
"It did. Best therapy I ever had. I had a lot of anger, this let me work it out."
He looked at her. Her hair was gray now with a spiky cut that suited her impish personality. She had the same mischievous grin and glowing skin. Time had been kind.
"You look more like Newman now than ever. Especially around the eyes," she laughed.
"Jenna, it’s so good to see you. I’m so sorry for the way things turned out. I couldn’t ask you to wait when I didn’t know if I’d come home." She held up a hand to stop him.
Please don’t be sorry. It’s was for the best. We were so young."
"You said something about your family?"
"Yes my daughter, her husband, and kids live here. I came back to visit them."
"So where your husband?"
"He died two years ago, lung cancer," she said quietly. "Ever since my daughter has been trying to woo me back here to Middlebrook. How about you? Wife? Kids? Grand kids?

"None of the above. This garden has been my life for years," he answered, suddenly feeling embarrassed.
"It shows, oh Matt it is glorious. You're famous, you know. I even kept some clippings from when the garden first opened."
"I’m flattered. Creating this community garden was more than a civic project or therapy. I’s a gift, to the community, and to me and it gives everyday.
"I can see that," she said. "Where do you suppose Boyd Castle is these days?"
"I haven’t thought about Boyd in years! If it weren’t for him we might never have met," Matt remarked.
" I don’t know, I think it was fate. Boyd hasn’t got anything to do with this right now, Blue Eyes," she laughed.
Same funny, forthright, Jenna, he thought. "Let me give you a guided tour," he said, offering her his arm. "I've got something special I want to show you."

Merrit recently published her Debut Novel:
Cullenary Seduction –
You may remember I put a bit up about that! It is a spicy romance happening in the kitchen… and we ALLL know kitchens aren't just for cooking.

Merrit writes flash fiction too, based on pictures she takes. This is another passion she shares with her brilliant hubby.
You can see hubby’s art right over here…