Outside Wisteria Boutique, Gita opened the car’s back door. “Let’s deposit our shopping bags before our next adventure.”
“Great idea.” Abby noticed something else unusual. “Um, Gita, don’t you lock the car doors?”
The older woman adjusted her woven handbag on her arm. “No. Why would anyone take something they don’t need?” Gita’s eyes observed her quester.
“Right.” Abby remembered the obvious answer too late. She vowed to do a better job at filtering questions. If Charm provided for everyone’s needs, much like nature taking care of the creatures, then why steal from one another? “Silly me, asking such a question. Where to next?”
“Before we enjoy lunch at Mountain Brook, there’s one place I think you’ll feel a kinship.” Gita pointed down the block. “The day’s so gorgeous. Shall we walk?”
“Absolutely.” Abby allowed Gita to set the pace while she attempted to filter her next questions. “So, since no one charges for their wares, what’s in it for them? I mean, why do Lillian and her husband bother running Wisteria when they could stay home?”
Gita kept walking. “That’s an excellent observation. And for this question, I can satisfy you with a proper response. It’s true money doesn’t change hands. Regarding this, there are two facets to grasping Charm’s practices. First, what we’re called to do is in service to all. For example, Lillian dresses the chef at Mountain Brook and gets served a delicious meal in return. That’s the result when each person realizes their unique spirit-feeding gifts and puts them in service. Remember what I shared a few moments ago about coming from love?”
“I do.” Abby stepped aside as a teenage boy whizzed by on his bike.
“Finding what brings you joy and then doing it rewards your spirit like nothing else. Each day, you awake full of excitement with the known and unknown gifts destined for you. Can you imagine for a moment feeling that way every day? Absent stress and worry? No deadlines to chase? No one heaping unrealistic expectations on you?” Gita waved to a couple crossing the street in front of her.
“You just described the negative drainers of my work life to perfection. And you’re saying working in Charm—”
“Slow down, my dear. We don’t work in Charm. Work is defined as something a person or thing has to do. Who’d want to have to do something? Can you find joy and excitement in having to do something?”
Abby shook her head. She was catching on to Charm’s philosophy. She took in the variety of stores as they passed. The quaint bookstore looked like it had been dropped from nineteenth-century England. “No, the verb ‘to have’ tells the story. Doesn’t it?”
“Correct. Now, imagine finding joy and excitement by beginning your day in the presence of— Fill in the blank at a later time.” Gita waited for the cars to pass.
Abby flashed to flowers and, thanks to Nash, added trees to her visual. “Easy as me eating last night’s homemade peach ice cream.” Abby stepped off the curb.
“Stay with me on our excursion,” said Gita.
Abby didn’t know if Gita meant the excursion to the upcoming shop or the virtual nature world that Abby was ready to inhabit.
“To continue, you and whatever feeds that passion are on a lovely path tapping into your gifts. You discover all kinds of avenues to help others. Next, envision how that feels.” Gita gave a slight chuckle. “Forgive me. Giving this lesson on a sidewalk while walking isn’t fair to you. I got carried away with your bright and most inquisitive mind.”
“Please, it’s fine. I’m actually following along and getting a glimpse of some of the stores too. To answer, I’d feel rewarded. Truly helping someone find happiness, no matter how small, would feel energizing.” Abby stopped, reveling in Charm’s mores. “Thank you for that insight. I’m beginning to see more and more why some of you choose to remain.”
“Yes, and just you wait until I really get started with your particular lessons. Are my endeavors to tempt you succeeding?”
“You’re quite the temptress.” Abby squeezed Gita’s hand. Plainly, some enchantment had been cast.
Gita gave a chuckle. “Excellent, my dear. I’ll finish by sharing more of the personal. Words like sublime and joyous greet my mornings. Two most pleasant emotions to define a day. Enough said.” Gita pointed. “We’ve reached our destination.”
Abby craned her neck to read the sign. The Enchanted Florist. “Only in Charm,” she muttered and followed Gita inside. Taking in the scent of the multitude of potted flowers arranged in vases, Abby chose an unusual colored single rose to approach.
A young woman wearing a green apron over a sundress hurried over to hug Gita. “Am I ever glad you stopped in. A violet arrived this morning that I’m sure belongs to you.”
“Goodness, but you’ve made my day, Daisy. Dare I ask if it’s—?”
Daisy bobbed her with excitement. “A first for me to lay eyes on.” Freckles splashed across Daisy’s round face. The tousled red hair created an impression of someone who let a day unfold without concern over outward appearance.
Gita motioned. “Come say hello to Abby.”
Daisy drew closer. “Hello, I see you’ve found my treasure rose.”
“Have I?” Abby liked Daisy instantly and guessed they were close in age. “It’s nice to meet someone who appreciates flowers. Your shop has such a wonderful ambiance.”
“Thank you for seeing that.” Daisy’s eyes glanced around.
Abby frowned. “Seeing as opposed to saying?”
Daisy rearranged a few pots of zinnias. “Yes, see, is what I meant. Anyone can say nice things, but you saw nice things. Like my indigo rose, which is leaving with you, by the way. Excuse me while I get a bud vase for it. Gita, I’ll grab your violet too.”
“No, I can’t take your treasure rose,” Abby hollered back.
Gita came alongside. “Daisy knows best. We mustn’t doubt her.”
“But I can’t even pay her—”
“Yes, you can, Abby. Become her flower friend. Don’t miss the obvious sign given to you in this moment. I promise Daisy hasn’t.”
Abby’s gaze scoured the flower shop. “Honestly, Gita, I haven’t the slightest idea what you mean by a sign.”
“Here you go.” Daisy put a flower in both women’s hands. “Gita, what do you think of the violet’s color? Spectacular?”
“Why Daisy, it’s the most divine shade of sapphire blue. How can you part with it?” Gita turned the pot, admiring the flowers from all directions.
“I’m not. Two were sent.” Daisy’s mouth broke into a wide grin. She re-tied her apron. “What do you see in the violet, Abby?”
“It’s extraordinary, like this rose. I can’t stop looking at both.” Abby touched a rose petal.
“I believe flowers love to bestow gifts.” Daisy’s face lit from within.
Gita stepped in. “Goodness, but I see something more. The flowers have declared you two friends. Don’t you agree, Daisy?”
“Yes, I knew it as soon as Abby came through the door,” said Daisy. The freckles danced on her cheeks.
Abby marveled at how comfortable she felt around both women. “How did you know?”
Daisy laughed and pointed to Abby’s shirt. “Daisies. Lots of them. On you. My name. We connect to flowers.”
“I guess we’re kindred spirits, though I grant you this shirt thing is pretty weird. It’s been on me all of thirty minutes. I swear someone’s casting charm spells.” Abby joined the two other women in laughing.
“We should have lunch and talk posies,” suggested Daisy.
“What a splendid idea. You two girls have much in common.” Gita clapped her hands. “Abby’s a botanist.”
“Yes, guilty as charged, and I never grow tired of talking posies. I’d love to grab lunch with you, Daisy. Of course, assuming I’m still in Charm.” Abby’s voice sounded wistful, even to her ears.
“Awesome.” Daisy stole a glance at her calendar. “How about a picnic on Sunday? Enchanted Florist is closed that day.”
“That sounds perfect, but again assuming I haven’t left.” Abby realized she didn’t want to miss the chance to hear Daisy’s story of how she came to the village.
“Trust me. I believe our Abby will remain with us for a while longer. Make your plans, ladies.” Gita sauntered over to the entrance.
Daisy turned to Abby. “Shall we?”
Abby’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. “Let’s.”
“Okay, meet me here at the shop around noonish. I’ll make our lunch, and you bring flower-infused tea. We can picnic at Angel Cascade if you’d like?”
“I like it a lot. Thank you, Daisy, for giving me something fun to look forward to doing. And for the gift of this rose, which I adore. But making another friend here is the best gift of all.”
Abby waved and went outside to find Gita. She wondered what Charm had in store for her next.