New neighbors Maria and Luis moved in next door, and we quickly became friends. My wife Teresa bonded deeply with Maria, sharing walks, tea, and long talks. But soon, Maria and Luis revealed someone was sabotaging their beautiful garden—pulling plants and pouring chemicals on the soil. Teresa had started watering our garden at night, which suddenly seemed suspicious.

One night, I secretly watched Teresa slip out after midnight—not into our yard, but tending carefully to Maria’s garden. She was spreading salt and replanting damaged flowers, trying to protect them from whatever was harming the plants. When I asked, she admitted she wanted to help keep our new friends from leaving. Her quiet, loving efforts surprised me and showed how much she cared.

Worried, we installed security cameras and soon caught the culprits: neighbors Todd and Claire, who wanted Maria and Luis’s house. After confronting them, they were forced to repair the damage and kept away. Maria and Luis stayed, relieved and grateful, while Teresa and Maria grew even closer.

Teresa’s midnight garden missions stopped, replaced by sunny afternoons gardening together with Maria. Watching them laugh and work side by side warmed my heart. In the end, it was love and friendship—and a little vigilance—that saved the day.