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They all laughed.
Parker, one year during the Fourth of July, set off some fireworks. It wasn't a firework that burned him but one of the matches that somehow caught his shirt sleeve on fire. He had the tiniest mark from the burn.
The others continued to tease one another as Roy marched in the front, leading the way to the grotto. Colton had helped Roy by making sure none of the others worked nearby that they might see and ruin the surprise Roy had planned. As far as Roy knew, even Colton hadn't seen the grotto yet.
"Here we are!" Roy announced as they reached the top of the hill where the grotto rested at the bottom.
The cowboys gasped in shock and awe as they laid eyes on the breathtaking sight. The massive rock formation he and Beverly had created to look like a hollowed-out boulder had turned out even better than he had anticipated. It really was perfect for being a metaphor for the tomb Jesus had risen from. The cross glittered in the early sunlight, and the statue of Mary looked perfect with all of the flowers laid at her feet. Between the pained eggs and the flowers everywhere, there was plenty of color.
As he let the others approach to get a better look of it all including the pond in the stone basin, Roy thought maybe vines would be a nice touch for next time, especially if it wrapped around the arch that went from the stones of the pond up to the boulder.
With the sunlight, there was no need for any kind of artificial lights here. Even without more lights, the place seemed to have a religious atmosphere that perfectly fitted the occasion. The pond filled with clear blue water seemed to shimmer in the sunlight, and Roy realized his throat was thick with emotion.
The cowboys couldn't take their eyes off it as Roy finally spoke. "Beverly helped me create this for us all."
"It's amazing," Lawrence said.
"Who knew you could do such good work?" Parker teased.
"I'm sure it's mostly because of Beverly," Jack said with a wink.
"This is breathtaking," Colton said. "I'm not just saying that. All of this... It's wonderful."
"Thank you," Roy murmured.
This place was more than just any spot. It was an oasis of peace and tranquility that only someone with a genuine sense of care and respect could have designed, and he gave Beverly all of the credit in the world.
"I don't think I've ever seen a sight like this before," Myles admitted.
Roy grinned. The grotto was an incredible creation of manmade nature meant to honor God Almighty.
"Wow," Jack said, taking it all in.
"Who knew something this beautiful was hiding on our ranch?" Ronald marveled.
"Not really hiding," Myles countered. "They had to make it so."
"You know what I mean," Ronald said, and Myles could only nod.
"It's amazing," Parker said, awestruck by its beauty.
"It sure is," Lawrence agreed with him.
The cowboys found themselves standing speechless as they took in the spectacle before their own eyes. It felt as though they had stumbled into some kind of secret paradise where time seemed to stand still.
"I think our grandparents would have loved this," Jack said. "It's so peaceful and beautiful that it almost takes your breath away."
Roy nodded in agreement. He could almost imagine all four of them standing there, taking it all in, their eyes sparkling with admiration and love for their grandkids. He was sure they would have been proud of what he had created here and how much work he had put into something like this.
Beverly had put a lot of hard work into this project as well, even more than he had, and together, they had accomplished something truly remarkable. It filled him with pride that he had been able to create something that his family could enjoy together and that might even bring joy to others who stumbled upon it in the future. Colton had talked about wanting to let people come and see the orchard, to maybe buy their fruit here on the orchard themselves, and they could see the grotto as well as Susan's garden one it was in full bloom.
Both sets of his grandparents had become close friends while his parents had been dating. It truly had been a close-knit family, and although the older generation had all died years ago, Roy still missed them all terrible.
This grotto was a testament to the power of teamwork, love, and dedication. Roy knew it would be remembered for years to come by those who ventured through its gates.
"Did you make this with them in mind?" Ronald asked Roy softly.
"Not consciously at least," Roy said, "but..."
