Abby went inside the cottage to grab her cap and a bottle of water. Glancing at the kitchen clock, she saw she had a couple of hours before Nash arrived. Her cheeks felt flushed thinking about him.
Out of habit, she moved to lock the front door, only to find there wasn’t a bolt to turn. Getting used to Charm’s ways would take time, and so would feeling worthy of its gifts. She dismissed the returning wave of remorse and hurried outside. Abby thought again of Robert Frost’s The Road Less Traveled, and stepped onto the path with anticipation.
She felt a change in the air. A cool breeze rustled the leaves, calling her attention to the standing friends. “Now I see you. Sorry, I was lost in thought yet again.” Abby lifted her arms, absorbing the trees’ energy. She approached a noisy sourwood and, touching its trunk, felt a humming. “Hello, you.” The leaves made gentle, swishing sounds. “Between you and me, I love your vivid orange fall color most of all. I wonder what you’ve seen as you’ve stood here for so many years.” Abby bestowed another loving touch before continuing her walk.
Squirrels and bluebirds appeared as if they were waiting to greet Abby. Their squeaking and chirping kept her from missing a small pile of acorns and wild blackberries. “Could this hike get any stranger?” She glanced at the group of friendly faces. “What a lovely sharing. I’ll taste this luscious blackberry and keep one of the acorns as a souvenir.” Abby ate the berry and dropped the nut in her pocket. “Want to accompany me?” She took a few steps. They were following.
As Abby continued her mindful walk with nature, the act of forgiving made an encore in her head. What must she do to gain forgiveness, to make things right? The haunting question kept calling. Her forest friends offered companionship but no answers for a scientist gone astray.
Fifteen minutes later, the sound of water rushing over rocks hurried Abby’s feet. The narrow trail gave way to the breath-giving sight of Angel Cascade. The sun’s gift of a prism separated the white water into magnificent colors of falling and swirling liquid. Abby inhaled, infusing her body with negative ions. Doing a quick glance, she noticed a few children frolicking in the shallow pools. An adult sat nearby supervising their escapades.
Abby ventured around the other side to the flowers’ home. Alone, she knelt and admired a group of iridescent orchids. One of the bluebirds landed next to her and gave a little chirp. His squirrel friend sat on the other side. “You two still hanging out with me? Next time, I’ll make sure to bring you some treats.”
Her botanist’s eye turned to examine the orchids. She flashed to the lab, and her assistants studying the amazing quality of the magnesium, zinc, and calcium that orchids possessed. Their primary focus had been to duplicate those minerals and use them in developing skin serums. Abby’s most promising discovery came from combining orchid oil with stem cells and certain other chemicals to boost the skin’s immunity. Reducing them to nanoparticles meant the potential for concern existed. The topical formula would likely penetrate the internal organs and other body systems. She gave a heavy sigh, admitting that’s where the potential for damage would originate. Her single comfort was no one knew she’d unlocked the code.
Abby caressed the orchid’s petals, acknowledging again that those manipulations of nature’s blueprints had landed her in Charm. Simply saying she messed up, lost her moral compass, and was now sorry brought little peace. Still, what better place to ask for absolution than next to the species of flowers she’d copied?
She drew in a cleansing breath and felt the bluebird hop on her shoulder. Dropping her head in reverence, Abby begged forgiveness and guidance on how to make a lasting amends. The silence engulfed her as time passed, carrying no importance. Voices of her forest friends beckoned her back.
“Thanks, guys. I seldom meditate, and certainly not for this long, but I had a lot to unburden. Are you ready to escort me home?”
Abby’s spirit felt lighter. Asking for forgiveness with a sincere heart had brought some unexpected peace. The squirrel and bluebird kept her company until she reached the property’s tree line. Abby bent down. “I hope to see you two again, and I won’t forget the treats.”
She caught a glimpse of Edna’s friendly expression toting a flowering plant. As the woman drew closer, a surprised expression dressed Abby’s face. She allowed that Charm had a way of delivering instant karma.
“Hello, Abby.” Edna’s voice seemed breathless. “It’s such a lovely afternoon for a flower’s abiding gift.
“Hi, Edna. How thoughtful of you, but the bundt cake was—”
Edna laughed loudly. “No, no, you don’t understand. I was at Daisy’s florist shop earlier. She insisted the flower belonged with you and asked me to bring it. So, here you go. I understand these are quite finicky.” Edna placed the pot in Abby’s outstretched hand.
“Yes, you’re correct. Orchids ask for special care and devotion to—”
“Please forgive my haste, but I’m expecting the Quilting Bees any moment, and Myrtle is off doing whatever Myrtle does. Enjoy. Ta-ta.”
Abby scarcely got a thank you said before Edna hurried away. She gazed at the flower in disbelief. She held an orchid, and not just any orchid. The same rare color species her research had been focused on stared back.