Page 143 of Lucky In Love

Nodding, he dashed to the kitchen and put the pot on the stove. While the water was boiling, he brought out a selection for her to choose from.

“I never knew there were so many choices.” She looked them over.

He came back shortly with the hot water, then produced a steak dinner with potatoes and vegetables. “I hope you like it.”

“It looks wonderful. I can’t believe you went out of your way to make me dinner. I’m honored.”

“You have done so much for me.”

“After we eat, I will take you to find some four-leaf clovers.”

When dinner was over, Angela offered to help clean up.

“No worries, Angela. I’ll just put them in the dishwasher, and we can get going if you like.”

“Dishwasher? I hear things from the streets, but a lot of times, they are often just words I don’t understand.”

“Anything you want to know, just ask. I’ll help you however I can. Come on. I’ll show you the dishwasher, the stoves we use nowadays, and a fridge.” Byron started to get up, then stopped, whipping out his phone from his back pocket. “Oh wait, you have got to see this. These are phones.”

“I’ve seen people talking with them from my perch.”

“But did you know they do more than talk to people? They can take pictures, order food, get a car to drive you around, and look up stuff. Let me show you.” Byron showed her how to work some of the apps. It was two in the morning by the time they finished.

“Only a couple of hours left before we reach the time I must return to my prison of stone. Would you like to try and find a couple of four-leaf clovers, or would you prefer to try and find horseshoes?”

Byron held out his hand. “Clovers first. I’m ready when you are.”

Nodding, she produced her wings and wrapped them around him. When she opened them again, they were standing in a clover field.

“I cannot help you look. That you must do on your own.”

“It’s my punishment. My penance. It’s as it should be.”

Sitting amongst the clovers, he examined them all to find one with four leaves. It wasn’t an easy task, and he understood why they were considered lucky.

Stretching his back and rubbing his eyes, he looked at Angela crouched nearby. She kept gazing around. He realized she was on guard. She was beautiful; he couldn’t believe she was a stone gargoyle. Shaking his head, he returned to his task. Pulling one up, he smiled broadly. “I found one.” He held it aloft so she could see.

She approached him and looked at it, then materialized a small trinket box. “Store it here Once full, you can give them the box.”

He put the lucky leaf inside and returned it to her, “So it doesn’t get lost.”

She magically made the trinket box disappear. The sun is about to rise at home.”

“Then we should go.” Byron stood and brushed off his pants before stepping into her winged space. He couldn’t help kissing her as her wings wrapped around him. “Thank you.”

They returned just in time before she reverted to stone. By her feet was the small trinket box.

Chapter Nine

The day seemed to drag on before Byron headed home from work. He realized he had a couple of hours before sunset, so he set his alarm and laid down.

Startled awake, he was surprised to see Angela crouched in the corner of the room, watching him. Sitting up, he peered over at her and then the clock. The sun must have just gone down.

She didn’t move, and he wondered momentarily if she was awake.

He thought about her every moment of every day. He ached to be with her, to kiss her. “How about a pizza before we return to the clover field?”

“Pizza? I know not, other than having heard the word.”

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