TOMATOES IN THE SUNSHINE

Alistair sat on a lawn chair, watching Ahnna planting some new tomatoes. They'd bought large plants at the Greenery to replace the ones drowned by the flood. Alistair had been helping but a coughing fit had sent him to the chair a few minutes earlier.

"I'm feeling rather useless," he sighed, dropping his gloves on the grass beside the chair.

"They also serve who only sit and watch," Ahnna smiled. "Besides, you're still recovering. I'd rather you be busy doing that. I enjoy planting tomatoes, anyway. The leaves have such a unique, odd smell, but I like it somehow."

"I'm glad the Greenery wasn't flooded," Alistair commented. "That would have been a great loss."

Ahnna nodded. "And Joimus. I can't believe how close she came to being killed."

Alistair shook his head. "Such a peaceful place, the Glen, for the most part. Yet life is like that and the vagaries of it find us no matter where we are."

"I found you," Ahnna said, turning to look at her husband, her eyes filled with light.

He got up, walking back to her, sitting in the grass near her side. "Chair was too far," he murmured. "I need to be closer to you."

"Good," she replied, "I like you near."

"From what I hear," he continued, but now with his hand on her leg as she planted, "the Glen is growing. New people all the time. I must get around and meet them."

"All in good time, my love. Everyone knows you are still getting well."

"After the spectacle I made of myself in church, they do," he smiled ruefully.

"You did no such thing!" she protested. "You were simply trying too hard too soon. They all understand."

He sighed, looking at her with an undisguised yearning in his eyes. "There are other things I think I may be ready to try."

"Why, Reverend!" she laughed. "Whatever do you mean?"

He leaned more closely toward her, turning her face completely to his. Without replying, he let his lips drift, warm and soft, over hers.