On the stone steps. Noah was bustling around with a
a broom.
Seeing Aiden return, he quickly approached. “Mr. Bennett, are you done for today? Ms. Larson went up the mountain to see the sunrise. I wonder if she’s coming down today”
“Yes,” Aiden replied coolly, fiddling with his rosary beads.
Noah continued, “Mr. Bennett, you put a note in the chapel and said it’s for your sister Madeline.”
Aliale smile crept c
onto Aiden’s lips. “And”
“I heard her friend call her Madeline too, Noah mused, scratching his head. “You don’t seem close to her. But why would you pray daily for a stranger? Am I mistaken?
Noah was puzzled. He thought, ‘Mr. Bennett is usually aloof; he wouldn’t care about Ms. Larson so much unless she is someone important. Noah looked at Alden curiously,
“So curious! You can copy the scriptures ten times for that,” said Aiden.
“What? Mr. Bennett, come our Noah protested, looking at Aiden.
Mr. Bennett paused with his rosary beads and turned back. “Go see when they’re coming down the mountain.”
*If Lfind out, no punishment?” asked Noah
Aiden softly instructed, “Don’t say I asked.”
Noah eagerly nodded. ‘Got it, Mr. Bennett Hating to copy scriptures, he tossed aside the broom and hurried off to find Madeline.
Madeline finished buying souvenirs, had lunch, and then packed up to head down the mountain.
Noah was peeking out the door, trying to look serious. When Madeline finally emerged, he was taken aback. “Ms. Larson, are you leaving?”
“It’s you,” Madeline smiled gently. “Yes, it’s time to head down. Thank you and Mr. Bennett for taking care of me.”
Will you come back?” he asked.
“Maybe,” Madeline nodded.
Noah clasped Madeline’s hand, pouting. “Could you stay a litde longer” He thought, Mr. Bennett is rarely so nice, and if Ms. Larson leaves, he’ll go back to bring all cold and distant. He pouted, looking upset. “Didn’t you have fun here?”
Harper, standing behind them, couldn’t help but wonder if the mountain was really that entertaining
Madeline thought for a moment. “I have to go back to school because I haven’t graduated yet. Just like you need to study every day. She tousled Noah’s hair and handed him a box of chocolate cakes she bought earlier. “Here, enjoy”
Noah didn’t hesitate as he accepted the chocolate cakes. He loved treats. “You have to come back and visit me and Mr. Bennett
“Isn’t that nice?” Harper chimed in. “You think we can just see Mr. Bennett whenever we wan
Noah wrinkled his nose. “Maybe not anyone, but Ms. Larson can definitely see him.”
Harper chuckled wryly. She thought, ‘Of course, everyone favors the pretty ones.
“Well, beauty gets privileges. When I see Aiden, I also can’t help but feel a special fondness for him because he’s handsome
“You are still young,” Madeline said, patting Nosh’s head. “Mr. Bennett is busy every day. How would he have time to see me?” She chuckled. “Don’t start a fan club for him:
“No, it’s not that.” Noah wanted to say Aiden sent him, but he remembered his instruction and felt a bit discouraged.
“You don’t like Mr. Bennett” he asked. “If you liked him, you’d want to visit him all the time” just like he did with the squirrels in the backyard.
Harper coughed and looked at Madeline. “Maddie, do you like Mr. Bennett!”
Madeline pressed her lips together. “I admire him.” She remained respectful in the chapel and didn’t want to joke about it. She didn’t want to disrespect anyone,
Sering Madeline’s reaction. Nool realized she probably didn’t like Aiden. He sighed.
11:52 AM d
Chapter 232
Suddenly, Madeline smiled. “Noah, thank you for the flowers. They were beautiful and really cheered me up when I was feeling down.”
“What?” Noah scratched his head. “I didn’t give you any flowers. With this weather, the only blooms are the ones in Mr. Bennett’s backyard. If I plucked them, I’d be on my knees for sure.” He shivered at the thought of Aiden’s stern lecturing.
Confused, Madeline asked, “It wasn’t you? Then who?”
“I think it was Mr. Bennett, Noah said, rubbing his cold hands together. “These past few days, the medicine either came from me or Mr. Bennett. He wouldn’t ask anyone else to deliver it. Do you know him!”
“I don’t think so, Madeline replied. She couldn’t imagine someone like Aiden sending her flowers. She pondered for a moment. “Maybe I got it wrong
“Well, we have to go now, she continued. “I’ll come back during summer vacation to see you, okay?”
Noah suddenly broke into a wide grin. “Alright, I’ll hang out here with Mr. Bennett while we wait for you.” He paused, adding, “By the way, Mr. Bennett may be a priest but he still can. Noah trailed off without finishing his sentence,
Madeline was puzzled by what Noah was implying and didn’t quite get it. At that moment, Matthew joined them. “Harper, Maddie, let’s head down the mountain together.”
Harper urged Madeline on, “Maddie, let’s chat next time. We need to go now?”
Madeline waved to Noah and with no baggage to carry, she left quite easily,
Noah remained where he stood, feeling a touch heavy–hearted, “Ms. Larson, how could you not know Mr. Bennett? He’s such a good person and treats you so well” Noah reflected, thinking he’d gained a bit more understanding about life,
Later on, he returned to find Aiden without his hat, revealing his real face. Disappointedly, Noah approached him. “Mr. Bennett, Ms. Larson and the others have left.”
“Yes, I know,” Aiden replied calmly.
“Mr. Bennett, didn’t you want to catch up with Ms. Larson! Don’t you miss her?” Noah was familiar with missing loved ones since he had parents but stayed at the chapel due to health reasons.
Aiden’s eyes were tranquil like moonlit water. “I put aside worldly matters long ago; why would I miss someone?”
“But if y
you’ve truly let everything go, why do you treat Ms. Larson differently? Noah shook his head. “See? You’ve got a soft spot too”
Aiden glanced at him, making Noah jump in fright. Off he dashed, yelling as he went. “Uh–oh! Mr. Bennett’s gonna whack me again“”
There was no real difference here except that the cluster of pretty blossoms under the window had disappeared. Last night, Aiden gazed at the empty branches and wondered if she liked them.
From afar came Noah’s voice. By the way,
Mr. Bennett, Ms. Larson said she loves the flowers.”
Alden paused in surprise before a fleeting smile crossed his face–a smile so brief it seemed like it had nev
been there at all.
