"Watch your step." Tristan cautioned me, quietly ushering me along with gentle fingers pressed against my lower back.
Our feet crunched over gravel as we crossed the yard, headed for a large tree trunk surrounded by low-lying bushes.
Behind it lay open space dotted with trees scattered sporadically among grassy patches interspersed with rocks and flowers.
On either side of us rose high walls enclosing the property, separating it from neighboring properties.
One wall facing east provides shade for any activity occurring within while keeping prying eyes away unless invited otherwise.
"What is this place? Where are we going?" I asked curiously, peering around, trying not to trip over uneven ground.
Anxious anticipation curled tightly into knots in my gut. Whatever this secret hideaway was, it sounded intriguing indeed.
