Nunkies the Gardener
By Patt Elmore
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It is July.  A hot, moist month, filled with the chores which come with
tending growing things.

Clad in a scooped neck t-shirt and shorts, your hair pulled back and wet
at the temples from sweat, you find solace on your knees, your fingers
deep in the rich earth of your personal haven--your garden.

On this particular evening, because of work, you were delayed getting to
your garden until almost dusk.  You had just planned to water, but you
notice that several of your tomato cages are about to fall over because
they are so heavy with fruit.   Despite the fact that the mosquitos are
planning to spirit you away, you decide that resetting the cages cannot
wait until tomorrow.

You go to your shed and find the necessary items to remedy your
problem--two wooden stakes, a hammer and some twine.  As you round th
corner of you house, heading for the garden area, you are startled by the
sight of a tall, dark figure standing in the semi-light, staring at your
bounty.  He turns, sees what you are holding and tilts his head,
inquiringly.

"Uhhhh, Nunkies! . . . .it's not what you think!!" you manage to stammer,
sweat breaking out anew.  "I'm staking tomatoes, that's all, just
tomatoes."

He sighs and smiles, nodding in understanding.  "Yes," he murmurs,
walking over to where you stand petrified, "but you don't mind if I take
these now, do you?"

You relinquish the tools with a small whimper.  Holding them in one hand,
he puts his free hand on your shoulder and gently push-guides you toward
the garden.   The feel of his strong fingers on your back send shivers
down to your feet and you feel barely capable of walking.

Somehow you make it to the garden's edge and drop thankfully to your
knees again.  LaCroix kneels beside you, his frame shadowing you.  He
stretches a powerful arm, brushing your bare skin in his passage, and
centers a stake in front of a cage.  With a mighty rippling of muscles,
he brings the hammer to bear, driving the stake deeply with one blow. You
can't help gasping as he drives home the second shard of wood.

You take over now, wrapping twine around the cage couplings and securing
it to the stakes, effectively leveling the cages once again.

"Nice tomatoes," LaCroix nods approvingly at your handiwork.  You beam
with pleasure at his praise.  

"Too bad you can't taste the fruit," you say sadly, wishing you could
offer him recompense for his helpfulness.  

"Ahhhh, but perhaps I can," Nunkies says, leaning very close.  "Here, let
me help clean you off some."
  
He places his cool hand on your lower leg, brushing the dirt away which
has clung there.  He eases his hand upward, a teasing thumb reaching
under the hem of your shorts.  Seeing you are about to swoon, he quickly
places his free arm around you, pulling you close.  HIs lips touch your
throat, his tongue licking the perspiration there.  "I always liked salt
on my food," he teases.  "You don't happen to have any lettuce now, do
you? "

"No," you admit, then, gaining confidence, grin slyly.  "But we still
need to finish the watering.  Now, where is that hose?"

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