To Have and to Hold Read Free Page A

younger, she’d disturbed a bees’ nest by accident and sent the entire hive into a frenzy. That was one experience Madison wanted to forget.
    Madison loved watching Mom dig in the garden dirt. Mom carefully checked the leaves and roots on her perennials.
    “We should cut some of those and put them on the dining-room table,” Mom said, pointing to an array of big, wide-eyed daisies in bright fuschia, gold, and orange (Madison’s personal favorite). Mom had planted the flowers at the beginning of the summer, but they had only just exploded into colorful blooms.
    Phinnie sniffed at Mom’s feet. The yard was fenced in as a safety measure, but he always lingered close by whenever anyone was out planting or playing.
    Mom shooed Phin away from some of her flowers, and he trotted over to Madison, who was down on her hands and knees digging new holes for transplanted perennials.
    “Hello?”
    Madison turned around to see her friend peering over the fence gate in the back.
    “Aimee!” Madison cried, standing up.
    “And Fiona!” another voice called out.
    “Hey!” Madison replied.
    “Can we come in?” Aimee asked.
    Madison unlatched the garden gate. “Of course,” she said. “I was just helping my mom plant.”
    “Your flowers look so nice,” Fiona said, complimenting Madison’s mom. “It’s like a rainbow back here. Wow.”
    “Thank you, Fiona,” Mom said as she stood up. “Can I get you girls something to drink?”
    No one seemed very thirsty, so Mom invited everyone to help plant instead. Aimee and Fiona seemed eager to help.
    “I wish I’d brought Blossom,” Aimee said. “She could have played with Phinnie.”
    They glanced over at Phin, who was chasing a butterfly near a bush.
    “Got your dress for the wedding yet?” Aimee asked.
    “Almost,” Madison replied. “Mom and I are shopping this week.”
    “I can’t believe the wedding is soooo soon!” Fiona squealed.
    “I guess I’m getting used to the idea,” Madison admitted halfheartedly. “My dad calls me every day just to make sure I’m feeling good about it.”
    “Things will work out, Maddie,” Aimee said, leaning in to give Madison a hug. Fiona joined in.
    “I have an idea! Let’s have lunch together. How does that sound, girls?” Mom asked.
    Aimee and Fiona brightened. “Totally,” they both said, almost in unison.
    Madison giggled. Her BFFs could cheer her up.
    The girls knelt down near Madison to help with some of the plantings. Madison showed them how to shake off the dirt and separate the roots.
    Mom scurried inside to get the girls’ sandwiches and Phin’s kibble. As soon as she disappeared, Aimee grabbed Madison by the shoulders.
    “Tell us everything about the wedding, Maddie!” Aimee said. “I didn’t want to ask when your mom was here, but is Stephanie making you a flower girl, or what?”
    “I don’t think she’s even having flower girls,” Madison said.
    “I was a flower girl at my cousin Darla’s wedding,” Fiona said. “Last summer in California. I had to wear this ugly, pink dress and take all the braids out of my hair. I hated it.”
    “I’ve never been in anyone’s wedding!” Aimee complained. “What’s so bad about being a flower girl anyway?”
    Madison hung her head. “Being a flower girl is not as cool as being a bridesmaid,” she said.
    “Don’t you have to be in high school to be a bridesmaid?” Fiona asked.
    “I didn’t know there were rules about all that stuff,” Madison said.
    Aimee plucked one of the flowers from the pile of plants they were replanting and presented it to Madison on bended knee. “For the flower girl,” she said, laughing.
    Madison stuck the yellow bud in her ponytail. “Very funny, Aim.”
    “What are you getting Stephanie and your dad for a present?” Fiona asked.
    Madison’s face went blank. “A present?”
    Aimee rolled her eyes. “Maddie! It’s a wedding. How could you forget that you need a wedding gift?”
    “I only have a little money saved