Before they left on the outing, Nash helped Abby gather the glasses and other things to take inside. He paused at the dining table. “Where did you get this?”
Abby came to his side. “Edna gave it to me this afternoon. She said Daisy declared the orchid was mine. There’s another Charm synchronicity that goes with that plant you’re holding.”
“Maybe, Dr. Drake. Let’s go.” Nash moved to the front door carrying the orchid.
“Hey, Dr. Walker, you come back with my orchid.” A smiling but puzzled Abby sashayed behind him.
“No can do. I need its symbolic company, and so do you. After you, milady.” Nash held the door.
Abby passed by. “Doesn’t anyone act normal in Charm? Even the birds and squirrels—”
“Yes, yes, all part of Charm’s charm.” Nash parked the orchid in Abby’s lap once inside his truck.
Holding the orchid, Abby’s mouth wouldn’t stay quiet on one troubling topic. She waited until Nash drove out of town, knowing his arm and mouth would be busy greeting Charmers. “I’ve got a personal question. Do you and Daisy have anything going?”
“Me and Daisy?” Nash’s head swiveled toward Abby.
“Please don’t misunderstand. I like Daisy. She’s thoughtful and cute as a button.” Abby lifted the orchid as proof. “She and I are going on a picnic Sunday. I sort of picked up that she likes you a bunch.”
Nash looked surprised. “I like Daisy too. I’m glad—”
“I think it best if we don’t kiss anymore— Why are you pulling over?” Abby gripped the orchid.
“Because I need to clue you in on a couple of things.” Nash cut the motor and twisted in the seat to face Abby. “First, to finish my statement, I like Daisy. And I’m glad she’s playing such a significant role in Charm. She’s answered her calling with a spirit I respect. We are good friends and share…well, you’ll see. Last, unlike you, I think it’s best if we kiss, and a lot more, starting now.”
“What?”
Abby felt Nash pull her toward the center console. He kissed her with an urgency she’d never felt from any man. Blast it, her betraying body answered in kind. Her mind had a whole different warning message, like being with Nash in this way would end in hurt. Still, it was him that pulled away first.
“Did I clear up the questions about Daisy and me? If not, say the word, and I’ll try harder.” Nash’s eyes locked on Abby’s.
She saw passion staring her down. “No, that…that won’t be necessary.” Where had her breath gone? Why did she wish he’d ignore her answer and do an encore? Because her body was a traitor when it came to Nash Walker. She felt a low energy hum amp up inside of her.
“You okay over there?” Nash glanced in the rearview mirror before pulling back on the road.
“Just peachy. Never better.” Abby reclipped one barrette. “Dandy.” For some crazy reason, she knew it was true.
“Good. Me too.”
Nash drove the next few minutes in silence until a recovered Abby found her quester’s voice.
“Where are we going on this field trip? You do realize it’s after eight o’clock?” Abby peeked at her watch.
Nash chuckled. “You get one more question. Make it count.”
“I’ll save my third one. Answer those two, mister. Hey, we passed the lake and near where the monolith—”
“Good eye. We’re headed there to answer question one. And yes, I can tell time. My mom taught me when I was four or five.” Nash touched Abby’s cheek. “Your skin is so soft. Have I told you tonight that I like you? A lot?”
Abby shook her head and felt her pulse increase. She’d rally her smart retort. “Have I told you that I like you? A little?”
Nash roared. “A little? I bring you pizza your way. Never mind, you’ve yet to ask how I knew you like green olives, tomatoes, and sausage. I take you on a field trip. I share my most personal shortcomings, and you like me a little? This is crushing, yet again.”
“Okay, I like you a smidgen more than a little.” Abby tugged on his ear.
“Maybe I should pull over again. Clearly, my mojo needs practice.” Nash took his foot off the accelerator.
“Maybe not,” she replied, pulling from his maybe-maybe-not story with Gita. “Field trip first. More making out later. Maybe.” Abby felt her face flush. “Just how did you know my favorite toppings?”
“Ready to have a Charm bubble burst?” Nash turned into a large parking lot.
“Sure, burst one of my bubbles. There are plenty more floating around.” Abby pointed in the air at imaginary bubbles.
“You told Aubrey, and then she told me in hopes we’d order pizzas for dinner.”
Abby tapped her forehead. “You’re right. I did tell her. That answer flirts with normal, an everyday kind of normal,” Abby joked. “Here I thought you’d been given the low down on me by the Source.”
“I have, but pizza preferences got omitted. An obvious slip up at the main office.” Nash drove into a complex and parked.
“Funny.” Abby’s jaw dropped. She grew silent, taking in a cluster of two-story buildings with a lodge-like architectural design. Nestled in the trees, they seemed at one with the mountain setting. “This place is incredible. Are we going inside?”
Nash nodded. “Just suspend judgment and accept. Roger that?” Nash’s tone reverted to guide.
“Roger that.” Abby delivered a smart salute and exited the truck. “Seeing this place is an unexpected but pleasant surprise. I see lights on, and cars parked, which tells me people are still working or whatever you all call it.”
“You can call it working, as long as the word gets redefined to mean tapping into one’s unique gifts for the divine good. Yes, we’re invested here twenty-four hours a day, five days a week.” Nash reached for Abby’s hand. They strode toward a routed sign pointing to Building Three. “Have I piqued your interest?”
“Maybe. Just a smidge.”
Abby entered the large foyer admiring the soaring wood beams and atrium. Colorful and exotic flowers surrounded a water feature in the center of the area. Open stairs led to the second floor, while hallways branched off the entrance like tentacles. Abby heard soft musical tones playing. The unusual song reminded her of celestial music heard in planetariums. She felt her body respond as the uplifting melody continued.
“I’ve never seen or felt anything like this before. What is this joint?”
Nash laughed. “It’s a cool joint, all right. The energy here can’t be denied.” His eyes roamed the area.
Abby moved closer to the flowers and touched a vibrant orange petal. “So, I’m guessing your lab is in this building?”
“Good guess. However, my labs are in Building Five. Consider this your building. Let’s go upstairs.”
“My building? Whatever do you mean?” asked a dumbfounded Abby.
“Wait and see. All will be made clear at the proper time.” Nash motioned her forward.
They passed a group of women in discussion coming down the stairs.
“This way.” Nash pushed a button. “Prepare to be awed.” Double doors opened, giving way to an enormous botanist laboratory.
Abby’s jaw dropped again, taking in the scene. She didn’t recognize most of the equipment being used. Words like state of the art and cutting edge didn’t come close to applying to the work she was observing. Abby’s heart skipped a beat as astonishment filled every cell in her body. She stole a glance at Nash’s pleased face. “You’re staring at a scientist in major awe.”
“Then I scored a win. Come on. I want you to meet a few of the researchers. One you already know.” Nash indicated for Abby to proceed. He led them through another set of doors into a lab teeming with orchids. “Pretty cool, huh?”
“My gosh. The researchers are studying my—”
“Orchids. Yes, we are. Hi, Abby. Nash told me he hoped to bring you by this evening.”
“Daisy? You’re here working? I thought the florist….” Abby’s words gave out as she tried to absorb what was unfolding before her eyes.
Daisy laughed. “Yes, I’m a worker bee and so happy to see you and Nash. Seriously, to answer your questions, the florist shop provides flowers of happiness to customers, and that fills me with joy too. I also love being part of our research, which provides all manner of healing and helping. We can chat about it more later. Remember when I intimated that we shared some commonalities? Now you see what I meant.” Daisy hugged Abby.
“Wait. Are you telling me you, too, are a botanist?” asked Abby, feeling genuine happiness and no small amount of astonishment that Charm had other scientists like her.
“Sure am.” Daisy nodded and blinked at Nash.
Abby let the words register. “That’s why you sent me the orchid?”
“Yes, well, you’ll find later there’s a bit more to it,” supplied Daisy.
Nash broke in. “Why not tell Abby what other letters you have after your name? Go on, Dr. Lane, and brag.”
A smiling Abby turned back to Daisy. “Brag away so I can stand here feeling even more in awe and ego diminished.”
Daisy smacked Nash. “You’ve got a big blarney mouth. I’m also a psychologist.”
“And?” prodded Nash, dodging another Daisy smack.
Daisy’s face brightened. “I’m a metaphysicist, which is the discipline I’m most passionate about integrating with my research.”
Abby shook her head in disbelief. Without a doubt, Daisy was a brilliant woman but also caring of others. Abby felt fortunate to know her in whatever dimension they inhabited. “Hold on. You’ve got time to picnic with me?”
“Absolutely, though I may have an ulterior motive there. Correction…we have an ulterior motive.” This time Daisy’s playful punch landed a hit on Nash’s shoulder.
Abby’s mouth dropped open.
“Don’t you dare activate your quester nature, Dr. Drake. Tonight is our show and tell,” Nash threatened while rubbing his arm.
“Fine, but I’ve got my antenna up.” The corners of Abby’s mouth lifted. “So? Show and tell me more.”
For the next half hour, Abby toured both floors of the building. She learned that biologists and geneticists shared the first floor. The second floor’s research focused on flora and fauna and colorimetry. She listened, fascinated, as Daisy brushed over psychology’s role in the way humans reacted to color and nature. Nash incorporated how crystals and rocks were the heart of all energy and how both enlivened all species.
Standing outside the building, Abby turned to Daisy and Nash. “Thank you both for sharing a sampling of what you’re involved in here. I’m floored at the scientific leaps and the way you partner with nature in Charm. Boy, do we have things all muddled back in the lower realm, or whatever that dimension is called.” Abby shook her head, feeling overwhelmed.
Daisy hugged her. “You’re welcome. Listen, I’ve got a few more hours at the energy mag scope, so I’m going to say goodbye. See you Sunday.”
Abby and Nash watched Daisy disappear inside before turning toward his vehicle.
She tugged on Nash’s arm. “Well, I gotta hand it to you. This field trip has my botanist head spinning like a top. I don’t know how to process what I’ve been shown.” She grabbed a breath and needed another.
“I realize it’s a lot to take in, but—”
Abby interrupted, not listening to Nash. “This research and experimentation happening in Charm makes me question what else goes on here. Then there’s Dr. Daisy Lane and her multi-talented self. Not to mention equipment that looks like it belongs on another planet. It’s all too much.” She halted. “Don’t think I haven’t forgotten about you referring to Building Three as ‘my building.’ That’s more insanity I can’t grasp. Don’t you have anything to say? You always seem to have something.”
Nash burst into laughter and hugged Abby. “Your rambling was going so well, I thought, why interrupt? I say let’s get you to that cottage so you can unwind. Maybe I’ll explain what I meant about you and Building Three.”
“Humph.” Abby marched toward his vehicle.
~*~
Inside the cottage, Nash chose a chair to sit on rather than the sofa. “Normally, I’d grab a cuddle, but what I have to say requires focus and some distance between us. Being near you has become a powerful distraction.”
Abby liked being his distraction. As for what was coming from Nash’s mouth, she was all ears. “Fine. I’m seated. Tell me, before the Rapture sweeps us away.” Her voice sounded lighthearted, but it hid the worry of being pulled from Charm too soon. Too soon for what? She hadn’t a clue. She was back to never wanting the loop to open. “Well?”
“Now that I’ve got your full attention, I’m ready to make you a proposition.” Nash leaned forward. “I’m serious, Abby. Banter is checked.”
“This sounds sketchy already.” Abby folded her arms in mock dismay.
“Hardly.” Nash paused. “What I’m about to ask you holds great consequence.”
Abby gulped and nodded. “Ask me.”
“Would you like to join Daisy and the other researchers?”
“What? Me work—” Where had the air gone from the room? Abby’s mind scrambled to take in the gift being offered. She felt undeserving and still brimming with guilt and shame over her past work. “You want me doing research at—?”
“Yes. You have a strong bond with orchids, and Charm has plenty waiting for you. Of course, starting out, you could come and go as you feel led.”
Abby hopped up. “Holy smokes. You’re seriously offering me the chance to work there? Me with my orchids? In Daisy’s Building Three?” Abby grabbed her nearby notebook and fanned her face.
“Yes, you and the orchids all chummy again, except your relationship with them—”
“Would be reverent, for lack of a better word.” Abby’s excitement threatened to bubble out of her. Dare she trust in this extraordinary opportunity? She’d have a chance to prove herself worthy and principled. Her heart pounded like a jackhammer. She sat back down, keeping the fan on high speed.
Nash came to sit next to her. “Reverence toward nature is required.” His voice grew more animated. “Anyway, Daisy’s the current lead on that floor, and she loves the idea. Are you interested? Maybe? Maybe not?” asked Nash, pulling from their earlier conversation. He stood. “Tell you what. I’m going to head out. Don’t answer. You think about the proposal. Discuss the details with Daisy on Sunday.”
Abby rose and stood next to Nash, pondering his words. “It’s a wonderful and generous offer that I’m not sure I’m qualified or worthy to accept. But yes, I’ll speak to Daisy. As for you, could you bend down a bit?”
“Like this?” Nash dropped his knees a few inches.
Abby reached up and tilted his head. “Thank you, Nash, for being my champion. I like you…a lot.” She let her lips prove that declaration.