Artist Steve appreciated the compliments from Cottage Lover.
He motioned toward the door, "Come and I'll show you the Secret Room."
Cottage Lover's eyes lit up with delight. For if there was one thing she loved as much as cottages, it was secret rooms.
Artist Steve led Cottage Lover into another bedroom. There she saw a delightful painting the artist had created for his daughter when she was very little.
Artist Steve opened a door in a large armoire and Captain said, "Look inside. There's a ladder."
It was so dark inside the armoire that Cottage Lover could barely see the ladder. Captain urged her to climb it. She was a tad fearful, since it was a narrow ladder and very steep, but Captain steadied her with his strong arms and told her she would not regret the climb.
When she reached the top of the ladder she saw a small room with a tall window.
She stepped up into the room and turned to behold magical creatures.
A second ladder for climbing to a loft.
And next to the ladder a door that Artist Steve said opened into a little closet.
Artist Steve had created the Secret Room for his daughter. And Cottage Lover thought his daughter must be one of the most blessed children in all the world. Who could ask for a more loving father?
Cottage Lover climbed down the ladder with the help of Captain, and followed Artist Steve to the back porch.
She was amazed that the porch was just as charming. . .
just as whimsical. . .
just as wondrous. . .
as the rest of the cottage.
Resting on the porch floor was a cradle that Artist Steve had made. A cradle that reminded Cottage Lover of the little cradle she saw in Steve's painting.
A butterfly graced the front of the cradle.
Oh, it was adorable! And Cottage Lover imagined it to be an absolutely,
positively,
perfectly peaceful place for a baby to nap.
Artist Steve took Cottage Lover and Captain outside to show them the weather vanes a friend had made.
Cottage Lover thought The Enchanting Cottage deserved such marvelous weather vanes.
Artist Steve's studio overlooked the garden.
Although the garden was dormant, it was still charming. For Artist Steve had decorated it with trellises and other pretty things.
Like a gazebo. . .
with matching benches.
The garden shed had a special door that looked just as a garden shed door should look in such a magical, fairy tale place.
All too soon the tour of The Enchanting Cottage was over.
Cottage Lover felt sad that she had to leave The Enchanting Cottage.
She did take consolation, however, in knowing that she could return once more.
Perhaps in the spring.
When The Enchanting Cottage garden is in bloom.
And she knew, if she did return then, she would take photos and share her garden experience with her Cottage Friends.
The End
(Dear Readers, if you missed Part One of The Enchanting Cottage, you'll find it here. Part Two is here. Part Three is here)
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