Abby held her breath and reached for the most treasured possession she’d left behind in Crestview. Her grandfather’s 14-karat gold botanist pocket glass stared back at her. Even its worn navy velvet drawstring bag she kept it in had come along. Abby’s eyes misted as she recalled how he’d bequeathed the cherished instrument to her. Not a single workday passed where the pocket glass wasn’t by her side. Somehow the powers in Charm saw fit to deliver it before she headed to the research lab.
She wrapped her fingers around the magnifier. “Simply incredible. I don’t know how you achieved this, but thank you, Charm messengers, and you too, Orchid.” Abby kissed the kitten’s head, locked the cubby, and tucked the pocket glass into her pocket. “Come on, all-knowing Miss Orchid. I’m going to treat you to a dish of skipjack tuna before I leave. I want to stay in your good graces.”
Orchid activated her happy purr and trotted after Abby to the kitchen.
~*~
Standing in the parking lot outside Building Three, Abby’s nerves engaged with her mind. Worse, her feet refused to take her toward the entrance. Instead, she entered her thought prison. Worry claimed her. What if she didn’t provide any value to the research team? Who would help her learn to use the equipment, which looked like it belonged on planet Neptune? Was she nuts to consider chasing this flower folly of hers? “Folly. Of course, I’m chasing a folly. I should do my errands and forget this flight of fancy.”
“My, my, you do seem to like F-words this morning.” Daisy’s laugh rang out from behind Abby.
An embarrassed Abby pivoted to face her new friend. “How much of my discourse did you hear?”
Daisy chuckled. “Just the folly part. Come on. It’s time to ditch the folly and flight-of-fancy chatter, Dr. Drake. Your laboratory has been expecting you, along with a handful of excited techs and a plethora of flora exotics. You don’t dare disappoint all of them. Destiny awaits. See that as my contribution to the letter D, which I have a particular fondness for.” Laughing, Daisy tugged on Abby’s arm and pulled her toward the double doors.
“You can keep your words. I’ve got more F’s. Starting with, what if I fail? That’s another F-word for you.” Abby grew thoughtful. “I don’t even know how to use the equipment or—”
Daisy gave Abby a gentle shove through the door. “None of us did when we arrived in Charm. You’ll observe how we work intuitively, which means your learning curve will be uber short.”
Abby followed Daisy up the stairs. “I’m not sure this is a good idea.”
“No, but you’ll soon feel sure.” Daisy turned back, grinning. “Can you spare us two hours to get you set up?”
“Actually, that’s the time I’d budgeted.” Abby halted outside the door signed Botanist Research Center. She touched her pocket glass and felt confidence replace the doubts. “Okay. Let’s do this. Introduce me.”
~*~
Abby sat in her vehicle, reflecting on the time she’d spent interacting with scientists and the protocols. Daisy was correct. A type of intuitiveness did guide the research and methods. Abby witnessed startling first-hand results coming from the laboratories. She’d shared with the team her excitement to contribute and promised to return the next afternoon to begin work in earnest. Glancing at her watch, she drove toward her next destination.
Minutes later, she knocked on the lavender-colored front door and put her smile in place.
“Gracious me, Abby, won’t you come inside?”
“Thank you, Myrtle. Sorry I’m a few minutes late.” Abby took in the abundant cabbage rose wallpaper in the grand foyer. Even the botanist in her felt smothered by flowers.
“No need to apologize for a mere four minutes.” A smiling Myrtle escorted Abby into the drawing room. “Abby, please choose a comfortable chair and say hello to our friends Hattie, Madge, and Jewel.”
“Good afternoon, ladies. It’s nice to meet you.” Abby settled into a wing chair upholstered in a deep purple brocade. The women each nodded and sent smiles her way.
“Edna, for heaven sakes, would you hurry? Everyone is waiting.” Myrtle’s tone mirrored her exasperation.
Edna’s head poked in the doorway. “No need to holler. I’m right here with the tea trolly.”
Abby jumped up to help Edna. “That’s a brawny trolly for one lady to manage.” She heard the other women chuckling.
“Thank you, Abby. I do find it cumbersome, but it brings such delectables that I forgive the laborious task. It’s lovely to have you join us.” Edna placed the tea trolly next to her chair and took a seat. “So, ladies, shall we begin with tea?”
Myrtle rose to assist in serving. “Tell us, sister. What did you brew for this afternoon’s gathering?”
Edna poured and passed the teacups. “It’s an extra-special blend that I created, called Tipsy Tea.” Edna sent Abby a sly wink.
“How utterly beguiling.” Madge took a generous sip and gave a wee cough.
Jewel drank from her cup. “Quite invigorating.”
Edna turned to Hattie. “What do you think?”
“It has a bit of a kick. I think I’d like a refill.” Hattie passed her cup back to Myrtle. “I suppose this tea’s recipe is a secret, like all the others you serve us?”
Myrtle passed the filled cup to Hattie. “Darling woman, you may rely on that fact.”
An amused Abby tasted her tea and locked eyes with Edna. “Your Tipsy Tea is aptly named.” After a single cup of the brandy laced tea, a buzz would undoubtedly accompany the three prim and proper women on their walk home. Placing her cup and saucer on the nearby table. Abby waited as Edna served the delectables.
The women tucked in with gusto to dainty cream cheese and watercress finger sandwiches, berry scones, and tea cookies. A lively discussion ensued over the latest children’s book they were finishing. Abby’s surprise over their enterprise caused her to beg for more details. The ladies explained they wove versions of Charm’s lessons into all their stories. They relied on Jewel’s illustrating genius to complement the book’s message. They felt children benefited from learning values and kindness in their early years. Abby readily agreed as she thumbed through a few of their books and saw the overarching theme to respect everyone and everything.
By the time afternoon tea drew to a close, Abby left feeling sincere admiration for the five women who called themselves the Book Bees. Despite their years, the women were actively contributing to Charm’s greater good. This was a pattern she kept observing among the village’s residents. Her growing affection for Charm had made another leap.
~*~
A winded Abby entered the cottage with two communicators dangling from one arm and a heavy canvas tote of groceries on the other. She was mission-driven to prepare Nash a dinner any chef would applaud. As for the communicators, which resembled a telephone, if one drank enough of Edna’s Tipsy Tea, she’d rely on Nash to install them.
A purring Orchid scampered out to greet Abby, bringing proof of her mischief-making escapades.
“Good grief, Orchid, what is that red on your mouth?” Abby lifted the kitten for a closer look. “You didn’t.” Abby carried her into the bathroom.
“Meow,” answered Orchid, trying to wiggle out of Abby’s arms.
“How did you get my lipstick tube opened? You’ve made the biggest mess on my vanity, never mind your face.” Abby grabbed tissues and wiped as much of the red from Orchid’s mouth and fur as she could. “Lose the purr. It’s not working on me.” Abby grabbed more tissues, realizing the stain wasn’t budging.
Orchid tried washing her face with a paw.
Abby moved her paw away. “Furthermore, wearing my lipstick doesn’t make you look feminine at all. You look like a kitten vampire. I give up. Go hide and wash.”
Orchid gave an indignant mew and scampered under the bed.
An hour later, a more composed Abby ventured into the kitchen to prepare dinner. Fortunately, she’d discovered the market offered helpful recipe cards on a display rack. She was confident the menu of burgundy marinated flank steak, risotto, and steamed asparagus would please her big eater. Abby reread the meal prep instructions, thinking they seemed easy enough. For the dessert course, a strawberry parfait mousse waited in the fridge, which was compliments of the bakery. She spent the next thirty minutes getting everything ready to pop into the oven later. With time to spare, Abby ventured outside to tend both her gardens and her thoughts about Nash.