Not sure about this. I am not volunteering to read, but will comment on the 13 lines--not sure if you want people to do this, but I will any way.In general, I feel the intro waxes on a little too much. You talk of the garden being this magnet that draws people in, but spend very little time on the garden itself (yes it has boxwood hedges etc, but that ain't enough). You focus mostly on the people's reactions. As you don't supply the description apart from the rose garden and the koi, I am left trying to imagine a garden that would seem to inspire people to this extent. I can't.
I would suggest describing the garden more, focusing on the 'magical' aspects of the garden (the drifting fog above crystal waters, scents that took people on journeys etc.), before describing the people's reaction to the garden. This is obviously my opinion.
'One moment...' I would prefer to followed with '...the next they...' rather than now.
As far as hooks go, I can find none. Perhaps the hook is the question 'what is so amazing about the garden'. I feel you have had some time to tell me, but haven't. It seems like a million gardens I have seen on TV. Koi are nice and peaceful and so are the other things you mention--but special enough to draw people from passing clouds? Doubtful.
Also no conflict evident or suggestion as to where the story may go.
The prose is nicely written though, and I like the voice.
[This message has been edited by skadder (edited July 11, 2008).]