Sitting comfortably beneath a massive oak tree, Hayley Lawrence, felt secure as though protected by a strong tower. The beautiful garden of her father's estate was a favored escape from the large, darkened rooms of their mansion, located on Canada's Amherst Island.
Anxious thoughts of seeing Austin Sommers caused a shiver to rise up her back. While holding a book of poetry in her hand, she found it difficult to keep her mind on a single stanza or page. After closing the cover, she laid the small volume beside her and stretched out on the cool, bright green grass.
Her mind journeyed back to the day she first laid eyes on the handsome and charming Austin. He was eighteen years old, and she had just turned sixteen. That memorable day, she had taken off her stockings, to wade in the refreshing water of the garden pond. The moment she placed her left foot into the transparent liquid, she squealed from its shocking cold temperature. A quick jerking motion caused her to lose her balance and tumble into the water at the edge of the bank.
After standing up quickly she examined her dress.
She instantly dismissed the notion that she should totally immerse herself in the pond and swim, and climbed back onto the sloping bank. Discovering that her dress was covered with mud, she began wiping the soil with her hand. Deciding she had failed to improve the dress's miry condition, she lifted her hands in full surrender.
A voice from behind caused her to jump. She turned slightly and glanced upward.
"Allow me, Miss." A young, sandy-haired man stood extending a light blue kerchief. Hayley with her mouth slightly opened, stared at him.
"Please take it. You need it more than I." She continued to stare, noticing that his dark brown eyes sparkled.
"Don't worry, I won't bite." Bending down, he took Hayley's right hand, gently pressing the cloth into it.
Allowing her a bit of privacy, Austin stood and turned away. Hayley wiped her dress and slipped her stockings back onto her feet and stood up.
The newcomer cleared his throat. "What is your name?"
"Lawrence."
"That is quite a strange name for a girl."
She giggled. "Hayley-Hayley Lawrence."
"It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Hayley Lawrence." Turning back around to face the girl, he extended his hand, and she accepted it. It was warm and strong. "How is it, we have never met before today?"
"I don't wander past the boundaries of my father's estate."