"It was a gift that someone left for me down in the cove that I go to." she said while modeling her bonnet for her sister.
"The cove? Isn't that the place where you row your boat out to?"
"That's the one." Emily responded back. "I went to unhook the boat and there was a package wrapped up and it said 'To the Lady of the Cove' on it. I am the only one who has been going to that spot for a few years now. It had to be for me."
"So someone else was there and you didn't see them?" asked Melissa.
"I guess so. I didn't seen anyone around." replied Emily.
"Ohhhh, that just gives me the creeps. I don't want you heading back there again." she demanded.
"Melissa, I am 23 years old. I am quite capable of handling myself. If someone was going to harm me don't you think they would of done it while I was there...alone? And they certainly wouldn't be leaving me such a lovely gift either." Emily reaches up and removes the hat pins from her bonnet and places her bonnet on the counter. She looks over at her sister who was giving her a concerned look. "I'll be fine. Don't worry."
All week long Emily would watch customer's very carefully to see if they took a notice in her as she tried to figure out who would give her such a nice bonnet and most importantly who knew she liked to escape out to the cove from time to time. She was disappointed to find that no one took extra notice of her out of the ordinary. She was anxious for the week to be over with so she can return to the cove.
Saturday finally arrived. A random late spring storm was sweeping across the land. The rain cascaded down over the porch creating huge puddles on the ground. Lightning sparkled out across the sky. Emily gave out a loud sigh. I guess I am going to have to wait until tomorrow to go to the cove. She thought to herself. She went over to start a small fire in the fireplace to take the chill out of the cabin her uncle is letting her stay in. She sat down in her chair and tried to occupy her time with a blanket she was knitting for her sister's baby that was due in a few months. Melissa has been married for nearly 4 years now and they are expecting their first baby. Emily's thoughts kept going back to the cove. It was as if the cove was calling out for her to come.
A few hours later the lightning had stopped but the rain continued to fall. Emily put down her knitting and started to pace around the small cabin. It was silly of her to entertain the thought of heading out to the cove in a rainstorm yet the urgency to head out there was so strong. She decided to put all logical thought aside as she donned on her rain cloak and headed out to the dock to untie the boat. The water was rather calm despite the downpour. Her wet hair would slap against her face with every row she took. Her skirt and cloak became heavy with the rain making it harder to row. She didn't mind it as she wanted to reach the cove as quickly as she could.
As she reached the cove she noticed another small rowboat tied up to where she normally ties her boat up at. She tosses herself over the boats edge and pulls it closer towards shore so she can tie it up. She was nervous and excited at the same time seeing the other boat. She takes a peak inside the other boat hoping to see something. There was nothing there except oars stretched out across the seats. She looks around in hopes of seeing someone. Nothing. Emily walks around for a moment through the trees and doesn't find anyone. This boat has to belong to someone she thought. "HELLOOO!" she hollers out. The loud sound of the rain made it hard for her voice to carry out. "HELLOOO!" she bellows out again. She paused in her steps for a moment trying to listen for a reply. Still there was nothing.
She looks back at the other boat next to hers. Where is the person who belongs to that boat?! She bit her bottom lip in deep thought as she debated on what to do. She looks over at the willow trees and decides to take some shelter of stepping out from the rain. I am not leaving from this spot. The person will have to come out eventually to get their boat and when they do I will be waiting for them. Emily walks over to the willow's and leans up against the trunk of the tree. Some of the larger branches up top kept some of the rain from falling down directly upon her. She crossed her legs out in front of her and straightened out her skirt. She sat watching the boats in the water. The rhythm of the rain slowly made Emily drift off to sleep.
The sound of chirping birds filled the morning air. Emily jolted up realizing she had fallen asleep. She looked over at the boats and realized one was missing. Words couldn't describe how she felt. She glanced down and realized there was another cloak over her. It was a man's cloak. It was dark brown with a collar that had a strap that tied it off near the neck area. She reached out her hand steadily and lightly touched it. It was dry. Gazing upon the cloak she ran her fingers over it as if she was really touching the owner of it. Emily, closing her eyes, pulled it up to her nose to take in the scent of it. The smell of musk over the cloak helped Emily piece together who the stranger is. She pulled the cloak up over her shoulders as she sat up leaning back against the willow tree again. She looked back at her boat. He was here and I didn't even realize it. She pulls the cloak up to he nose again and smiles.
After a few moments she stands up and shakes out the cloak. She noticed it was an average size coat. It wasn't too large or too small. It was rather plain and average. Something then falls out of the cloak and lands on the ground near her feet. She tilts her head noticing an envelope. On the front it says, "My Lady of the Cove." It was if she could hear his deep voice speak the words as she read the line across the envelope. She flips the envelope over and opens it up. She pulls out a letter and unfolds it. She shakes her head still not believing that she fell asleep and he was right there.
Emily catches her breath over his words. She raises one hand up to her cheek as if she could still feel him touching her. She closes her eyes for a moment in awe of everything. Reality quickly set back in when she remembered the tin box under the seat in the boat. She wades out into the water and peeks under the seat. Some water from last nights rain covered the floor of the boat. She tilts her head and notices a small tin box. She pulls it out and heads back up on the shore. She opens it up and there before her was a butterfly-shape opal necklace. She pulled it out of the tin for a closer look. Colors of blue and green sparkled before her eyes as the morning sun glistened upon it. Emily looked out at the entrance of the cove in hopes of seeing him or the boat but nothing was there. She looks back down at the butterfly necklace and a smile crosses her face."My lady of the cove, I have sat and watched you walk around the woods trying to find me. I am not ready to reveal myself to you. Please don't come looking for me as you will not find me. I sit here now next to you gazing upon your beauty as you sleep. I had to reach out and brush your hair out of your face as you slept. Your cheek was soft to the touch. Angels are envious over your beauty. I wish I could enter your dreams and be apart of them. But for reasons I will keep to myself I will stay hidden in the shadows for now. I left for you another gift. It is in a tin box under the seat in the boat. I know this will not compare to your loveliness but I wish you will take it in remembrance of me. With my hand upon my heart I bid you adieu."
With his cloak in one hand and the necklace in the other hand she makes her way back out to her boat and starts to row towards home.
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