Abby stood admiring the living area with Gita and Nash next to her. “You’ve both been given the official cottage tour. It’s pretty amazing, huh?”
Gita hugged Abby. “My goodness, but you’ve been given the most sublime sanctuary to nest. Simply perfection.”
“I agree. What about your two cents, Mayor?” asked Abby.
“I think it’s just right for you.” Nash squinted and centered a vase of fresh-cut flowers.
Abby’s face brightened. “Hearing those accolades from the two people who matter most is my cherry on top.” At this moment, she felt as excited as a young girl on Christmas morning. Life in Charm oozed happiness. “Let’s eat. I’m curious what you brought.” Abby hurried to the kitchen for cutlery and plates.
Gita and Nash followed and began unpacking their containers.
“I chose a ladies’ luncheon menu of chicken salad on croissants with fresh fruit. Here are the cups of mint iced tea. Pardon me.” Gita tilted her head back. “Did you see Nash wrinkle his nose? Humph.”
“I sure did. Not a bit mannerly. What are you serving, Mayor?”
“I’m serving hearty food. The kind that won’t let you leave hungry. Look here at the meatball subs, chips, and colas.” Nash waved the unwrapped sandwiches in the air.
“That’s a lunch that’ll leave you chasing antacids all day,” Gita retorted. “Abby, which lunch wins your vote?”
“That’s an easy question. I’ll have both. Thank you very much.” Abby put half of a sub and a chicken croissant on her plate. “Let’s eat at the porch table so we can admire my posies and birdies. Nash, I depend on you to introduce me to the trees. And Gita, can we please have lesson time in the gazebo?”
“Get a load of that, Gita. The woman’s already giving orders, and she hasn’t even officially moved in,” said Nash, trailing behind.
~*~
Goodbyes to her guests came an hour later when Abby stood on the sidewalk. “Thank you so much for bringing lunch and sharing it with me.”
Gita offered Abby a hug. “It was a most enjoyable repast, despite the smell of those meatballs wafting my way.”
“Hey, you shouldn’t speak like that to the mayor.” He straightened his shoulders.
“Oh, poo.” Gita returned her attention to Abby. “Shall we plan for a lesson tomorrow? I’ll bring lunch again.”
“Yes, that sounds wonderful.”
“Splendid. I shall see you around noonish.” Gita scurried to her car.
Abby spun to face Nash. “She’s awesome, but then so are you, Mayor. Thank you for making time for me.” She flashed on Nash with Daisy but dismissed the image.
“Yes, Gita is awesome. When are you officially moving?” Nash’s troubled expression registered with Abby.
“I’m considering tomorrow. I’ve imposed on you and Bella long enough.” Abby hadn’t checked the cottage’s inventory but trusted she was well stocked with necessities.
“Come on. You’ve not imposed. I told you to stay with us as long as you like.” Nash’s fingers lightly touched Abby’s cheek.
The intimate gesture caused her breath to catch. “I…I still think tomorrow is moving day.”
“I’m going to miss seeing you around the house. We’re all going to miss you.” Nash took a step back, seeing neighbors coming their way. “You’ve got more company. Edna and Myrtle.”
“Goodness, but news moves fast in Charm, considering there is no social media.” Abby shook her head. “Listen, can we talk later at Hidden Haven?”
“We can. I’m going to cut out.” Nash’s eyes released her.
Abby watched with amusement as he attempted to make a getaway from the approaching women.
“You’ll be at the house by dinner?” hollered Nash while opening his vehicle’s door.
“Yes,” Abby yelled back, grinning at the scene about to unfold.
“Howdy-do, Mr. Mayor. I just told Myrtle how nice it was to see you act jackrabbit fast at welcoming a newcomer. She looks mighty comely.” Edna’s plain features weren’t bothered by lipstick or a touch of rouge.
Nash gave them a nod and friendly wave as he backed out of the drive.
Abby waited while both women moseyed her way. Smile in place, she spoke first. “Good afternoon, ladies. I’m Abby.”
“Hello there. My sister and I wanted to stop by and introduce ourselves. I’m Myrtle, and she’s Edna. We live next door in the Victorian two-story.”
“Howdy do,” said Edna, extending her hand.
Abby gave Edna’s hand a shake. “It’s nice to meet you. You have such a lovely home. I admired it earlier. That kind of craftsmanship is rare.”
“So true. You must walk over soon, and we’ll give you a proper look-see. This is for you.” Myrtle passed a plated bundt cake to Abby.
“I’d love to. This cake looks delicious. Is that real buttercream? I’d better get it out of the heat.” Abby let her body shade the cake.
“Yes. It’s our specialty, you see.” Edna preened, touching her hair.
Myrtle jumped in. “My sister means we make them special for the bakery. Yours is a dark cherry cake with almond buttercream. It’s my favorite.”
“It’s going to be mine too.” Abby smiled. “I can’t wait to cut a slice. Thank you for the nice welcome gift. I’m sure we’ll see each other out and about.” Abby offered an extra smile to the spinsters.
“We serve a proper tea every Monday,” said Edna. “You must join us. Come, Myrtle, we mustn’t tarry. Ta-ta for now.”
“Yes, do drop by for tea,” parroted Myrtle as she tottered down the sidewalk.
Abby waved and hurried inside. She took a lick of the buttercream. “Dang, if the sisters can’t bake a mean bundt.”
~*~
Closing the linen closet door, Abby checked off her list of needed items. The Charm Powers, as she now called them, had thought of everything. When she’d found the toiletries selection, she squealed so loudly that she feared the spinsters might return. The hand-milled lavender soaps and bath beads were from a London shop on Oxford Street. Every item in the cottage had a relationship to England. She’d been given an authentic English garden cottage to call home. “My home in Charm. I sorta like the sound of that.”
She went to gaze out the living room window. As a botanist, Abby felt nature’s tug to explore her acre. She exchanged her sandals for sneakers and began her tour by visiting the front gardens. Quirky shaped stone pavers led her around beds of flowers. Some species she didn’t recognize. Ornamental birdbaths and feeders were interspaced amongst the wildflowers. Moss covered rocks made the gardens look as if they’d been lovingly tended for years. To Abby’s eyes, the grounds were magical.
She grabbed her water bottle from the porch step and proceeded to the backyard. Unlike the front garden path that meandered, this section felt geometric in layout. Pebbled paths formed six squares around the flower beds’ perimeter, with the surprise of a bubbling stone fountain in the center. Two benches invited meditation and reflection. Abby paused, delighting in the unexpected setting.
Stepping into the screened gazebo brought immediate joy. White wicker furniture with bright floral cushions awaited her and Gita’s gathering tomorrow. Abby walked toward the back-property line where the woods began and remembered the lot adjoined Angel Cascade. She stopped to listen for the sound of the falls. Another squeal escaped her, thinking she might actually hear the water’s distant hypnotic sound.
Noticing a narrow path off to the side, Abby sighed, knowing that exploration needed to wait. Standing under the canopy of trees, she spread her arms wide, took a breath, and thought of Nash introducing her to forest bathing. Thrilled that she didn’t need to venture far to experience love from the standing friends, Abby savored one more inhalation. She turned toward the cottage, elated at what Charm had bestowed upon her. “How do I give back?” Abby wondered aloud. Maybe Gita’s sage guidance would illumine the answer.