Harvey's Grove

She sat on the cold ground, leaning back against the tree. With her knees drawn to her chest and her head in her arms, she silently wept. Sensing the sun peeking over the horizon, she lifted her head and stared out over her fields. Yesterday they had said it would be the fourth day below freezing, unusual for this time of year in Florida. She prayed to gods she didn't actual believe existed that the orange grove she nurtured from tiny saplings survived the night.

Hearing a sound over her shoulder, she glanced behind her and saw her husband carrying a thermos and the quilt his mother made for their wedding. He stopped short of her and lifted his eyebrow. Replying with a nod, she held out her hands to take the coffee he offered. A ghost of a smile crossed her lips as he sat down next to her and wrapped the quilt around them both. Any other time, she imagined, this would be romantic, enjoying each other's company in the morning light.

His voice broke the silence.

"What do you think?" 

She shook her head, unable to find the words to tell him their dreams were ruined by four nights of frost. He put his arm around her shoulders and she leaned in close. She didn't want to voice the truth.

Instead she answered him quietly, "I just don't know."