Their leisurely stroll eventually brought them to the very heart of the orchard, where an enormous ancient tree stood alone in the center of a wide clearing.
Its trunk was so broad that it would have taken several adults joining hands to encircle it, while its sprawling branches stretched outward like a great emerald canopy, sheltering everything beneath them from the afternoon sun.
Beneath the tree stood a beautifully crafted wooden pavilion overlooking a narrow stream that wound peacefully through the orchard before disappearing among the trees farther below.
Sarath smiled as she looked toward the pavilion. "We've arrived."
Dakota followed her gaze. "This is where you usually have afternoon tea?"
Takoda immediately brightened. "Here?"
Sarath nodded. "When the weather is pleasant, yes."
Takoda broke into a delighted grin before running toward the pavilion with Lily close behind, their cheerful laughter echoing through the orchard once more.
