The Secret of Spring Read Online Free PDF Page A

the moment seemed to roar in his ears.
    She was waiting for him to say something. "The Sharing," he said.
    "Ah yes. Obligatory attendance. Otherwise you would not have returned." It was a statement, not a question.
    Herb colored. He knew it was true. He would not have returned home this soon just for Lily. It was the timing that seemed right. She had not come into it. But he did not want to hurt her feelings, so he said nothing at all.
    "You weren't always so reticent, Herb. I can remember when you had quite a bit to say on the subject of you and I . But to go without a word! I kept believing that I would hear from you day after day, but eventually I saw the light." She had almost exploded in her sudden vehemence. Then abruptly, in a softer tone, almost a whisper, she asked, "Why, Herb? Why did we grow apart?"
    Herb felt a rush of anger toward her for making him the villain. He wanted to hurt her back. "How can I explain it to you, Lily? I felt stunted! I couldn't go on seeing you as things stood. You wanted roots, a unionized status. I wasn't ready for that then."
    "And now?" Lily said, green tears gathering at the edge of her eyes. "You have been away to see more of the sphere, to encounter new varieties, to taste strange nectar. Tell me, in all your travels, was there ever a quiet moment when you contemplated our situation? No, I suppose you were much too busy to-"
    Lily stopped speaking as Herb suddenly shook her. "Stop it!" he snapped. "Of course I thought about us! That's all I thought about. That, and my life here. Where it was all leading. Frankly, I didn't like what I saw."
    Lily had composed herself somewhat. "But Herb, all young men have doubts. It's a natural part of the growth process. You can't just pull up and leave each time things aren't the way you imagine they should be."
    "I know. That's the reason I've returned." He rubbed a hand across his forehead. He was getting a headache. He hadn't had one since-since the last time he saw Lily, as a matter of fact.
    "Oh Herb, let's forget all this foolishness. Why don't we see each other again, and go from there? I know it will be better this time."
    She was grasping at straws. Herb hated seeing her this way, doing this to him and herself . Yet he couldn't walk away. She meant more than that. He suddenly realized his anger had been directed toward himself, not at her. Perhaps it always had been. Lily was a lifelong friend. She was a wonderful girl, and he was undoubtedly some breed of loco weed for turning down her offer. But something about their proposed union had never grown quite true. He wanted to care for her as much as she obviously did for him, but he simply didn't.
    Looking away, Lily asked, "Is it someone else, Herb?" She paused. "Or was it because I don't believe in preunion pollination?"
    "No!" Herb quickly replied, taken aback. "I respected your feeling about that. I still do. And, in answer to your question, no, there is no one else. I am still unready to plant a commitment with you. Or with anyone."
    The tears sat in the corner of her eyes, but did not run. They caught the morning light and sparkled like sad emeralds.
    "I still work at the Mothers Day Nursery, Herb. If you should wish to speak with me about anything, well, you know where to reach me."
    With that, she turned and walked swiftly away, then stopped short and called back over her shoulder without looking.
    "Grow and flourish!"
    It was the Founder's Day blessing. "Grow and flourish!" Herb returned as she disappeared around the corner. He suspected that she had not turned because she didn't want him to see that her tears were now falling. Indeed, he had hurt her, and she didn't deserve it. He felt like a ripe stinkweed.

4
     
    Gabriel's Trump
     
    Gabriel was depressed as he returned to his office. He loved Spring as he had loved no other since Laurel, yet he had had to send her away, and he doubted that he would ever see her dear face again. But there was nothing to be done about that, so he