It wasn’t until Nash drove her to the cottage that Abby realized they needed to talk about his second concern. Surely it wasn’t an insurmountable problem. Brimming with happiness, she tugged Nash to her porch swing.
“Hey, what’s this? You want to make out some more? If you aren’t one hot—”
“Don’t you dare finish that sentence. I do not want to make out, at least not this minute.” Abby giggled. “What I want is to hear that second concern of yours. We sort of got sidetracked.”
“And I’m still trying to recover.” His expression changed to resolute. “You’re right, Abby. We need to finish this tonight.” Nash sat next to her. His eyes were lost in the night sky.
“That doesn’t sound good. I don’t get it. What’s left hanging over you?” Abby felt her chest tighten.
“As I told you earlier, I don’t know what’s behind the exit charm coming to me now. I need to know that answer before I make my final decision tomorrow. You helped me work through the emotional aspects. You know I want to stay and make a life with you, but there’s something much bigger than us at stake.”
Abby’s happiness came crashing like waves on a rocky shore. She couldn’t lose Nash. Not now. The timing was plum lousy, and his leaving felt wrong. “But we’ve just discovered each other. Surely, that carries—” A sob escaped.
Nash hugged Abby into him. “Babe, understand I need to find out the ramifications if I choose to spend the rest of my life in Charm. Our ultimate happiness and peace rest on me getting this right. There’s no second chance to leave, and there’s no coming back here.”
Abby shut out her mind’s chatter, wanting her to convince Nash to stay. Instead, she turned to the teachings and tapped into her higher self’s voice. There she found the strength to say what she needed to say. “Nash, I do understand, thanks to your and Gita’s guidance and the lessons. We’re to live a life on purpose, wherever it takes us. Whatever path you choose will prove the best for you, me, and us. I trust in that truth.”
“Have I told you lately that I like you? A lot?” Nash’s voice was choked with emotion.
“Not in the last half hour. As I recall, you changed liked to love, which I so much prefer.” Abby kissed his cheek. “Thank goodness we’ve got the gift of banter to draw on until… tomorrow.”
Nash kissed the tip of her nose. “You’re an amazing woman. Our stars better align, or I’m going to feel mighty chapped at destiny.”
“Let’s hope they do.” Abby witnessed a shooting star and made a wish. “In the meantime, how will you find out the gold nugget’s underlying meaning? Do you have a plan? You’ve only got until midnight tomorrow.” Saying it rekindled the fear of loss. The one positive was she only had to endure limbo a few hours before she’d know if a future with Nash was in her destiny. “Is there a someone higher up who has a connection to—?”
“There is, and he’s agreed to meet with me in the morning.” Nash grew silent.
Abby nodded. “That’s good, right? I mean, this guy can help you discern— Hold the fort. Can you share who—?”
“Your grandfather, Abby.” Nash held her tighter. “He’s the wisest and most elevated man at Divinity Temple. I’m grateful he granted me this exception to offer his insight.” Nash shifted in the swing.
“Don’t leave yet. Hold me a little longer. This may end up being our last night together. I want more to remember. Will you give me more to remember?”
“Yes.” Nash exhaled and pulled Abby onto his lap. “For both of us, love.”
~*~
The next morning a puffy-eyed Abby took her coffee to the swing and discovered a note taped to the wood slats.
Orchid hopped up to sit next to her. She laid her front paws across Abby’s lap as if to offer comfort.
“Little Orchid, you’re such a sensitive and wise kitten. Thank you for being here. I’m feeling quite melancholy. We’ll sure miss Nash if he leaves today. Won’t we?” Abby rubbed the kitten’s ears while staring at the blue envelope. With a sigh, she pulled out the note and read:
Abby,
Come tonight to our special place at Angel Cascade. I’ll meet you at six if things go our way. If not, I leave you, my love, for always.
Nash
An eternity stretched before her. Almost nine hours of waiting and wondering was indeed an eternity to find out if their love had a chance. “Orchid, we must keep busy. Fill our day with activities. How about we pay Gita a visit? You can meet Abra and Cadabra. Since I couldn’t sleep last night, I worked on some preliminary decorating ideas. Interested in some male feline attention?”
“Mew-yes.” Orchid did a few fast blinks.
“You’re such a heartbreaker batting those blue eyes. Wait here. I’ll grab my things.”
Abby and Orchid spent a distracting hour with Gita and company. The decorating ideas and drawings delighted Gita. Her enthusiasm to begin the project spilled onto Abby, elevating her spirits.
“Dear girl, you must sit by my side as I place orders. I don’t trust my eye for color one itsy bit. What you see as green looks like mud brown to me.” Gita hesitated. “Abby?”
“Yes? I’m sorry. I can’t seem to stay focused this morning.”
“You’ve put on quite a performance pretending all is right in your orbit. It’s not, and I know why.” Gita moved to sit next to Abby on the sofa. “There, there, the waiting will soon be over.”
Abby sobbed and accepted the tissue box from Gita. “You sure did a bang-up job as a matchmaker. I’m besotted by that man. And the Charm romance truth serum, or whatever it’s called, was my downfall yesterday. You missed a real show.” Abby grinned through her tears.
“The heart’s telling mist. You’ve been busy experiencing one of Charm’s many charms. I’m sure our handsome Nash enjoyed every minute.” Gita chuckled.
“Yes, too much.” Abby blew her nose as she recalled declaring herself a belly dancer and a lover of full lips. He’d taken it all in stride because he loved her. “Gita, I should go. Daisy’s expecting me at the lab, and I’ve got to drop Orchid at the cottage.” Abby scooped up a protesting Orchid.
“I quite understand. Thank you for stopping by on a day that’s asking so much of you.” Gita walked Abby and Orchid to the front door. “We’ll see each other soon. Trust in Charm’s methods and principles. They’ll always guide you toward joy.” Gita hugged her quester goodbye.
~*~
Abby climbed the stairs and stole an extra breath before entering the laboratory. She couldn’t muster a smile, but at least her eyes were dry. Five more hours until she knew if her heart would break or explode with the joy that Gita kept promising infused Charm’s residents.
She walked through the double doors and found Daisy perched on a stool at the lab table. “You look bushwhacked. What can I do to—?”
“Help me get Phase Three set up the way you want. I need to keep busy.” Abby sniffed.
“Sure, but answer me first. Have you heard anything from Nash?” Daisy pulled up a stool and motioned for Abby to sit.
“Does everyone know about Nash and me?”
“Pretty much. We’re all thrilled you found each other and hope things work out. Like really work out. Like a bunch of us gathered at the square this morning to send Nash clarity energy. We adore that guy.”
“You all are amazing. I’ve never known people so caring or so into everyone’s latest doings.” Abby felt better. “I bet you know when someone’s pregnant before they do.”
“Pretty much,” echoed Daisy, smiling back. “Listen, I’m here if you want to talk. I’m not going to press you, as long as you promise to remember I’m your friend. And I do know when to keep my trap shut.”
“I promise. Thank you for being my friend. I’m yours too. Okay, get me working. I’ve got some orchids wanting to heal mental suffering.” Abby wiped the counter, set fresh beakers in trays, and spread out the slides. She collected samples from the orchid’s column, which represented the central reproductive organ of the flower. The hours slipped away, but Nash’s image continued to dance in her head.
Daisy reappeared at five o’clock. “I wanted to check in before I left. Any news about you-know-who?”
Abby knew Daisy was aware of the two lab techs working a few feet away. “Not a word. Have you got anything fun planned for tonight? Make me jealous.”
“As a matter of fact, I’m having pizza with Sander and Bella and this geologist working with Nash. It’s a setup.” Daisy rolled her eyes.
“That’s wonderful news. You’ll have a nice time. I’m pleased about Bella and Sander. I hadn’t heard they were officially seeing each other, but then I’m not in the circle,” Abby said as she made mock quotation marks with her fingers.
“Stop it. We don’t gossip here. We deal only in facts,” Daisy countered, making a funny face. “Gotta dash. Tomorrow I hope to see you wearing a happy expression, and not one induced by smelling orchid essences. Nighty.” The door closed.
Abby finished making notes before washing her hands. Her destiny awaited in less than an hour. She had enough time to run home and freshen up for her someone or no one at all.