A more relaxed and accepting Abby hiked the trail back to her cottage. She’d lolled away the afternoon at the falls, examining the rainbow orchids and the kaleidoscopes in more detail. They’d proven a distractor from fretting over the damage-causing research reports she’d secreted away in Crestview. Their existence kept haunting her. From what she gleaned, her team was close to unraveling the code. What must her grandfather think of her ethics or lack thereof? Abby kept reminding herself that it didn’t represent who she was now, thanks to Gita, Nash, and Charm’s lessons. Still, the concern remained.
An unusually stealthy Orchid trotted down the garden path to greet Abby.
“Why isn’t your bell jingling? Did it come off your collar?” Abby bent over to check.
Orchid sat patiently, absent a purr.
“No, your bell is here—hang on. There’s something inside of it.” Releasing the clasp, a small shiny object fell to the ground with a tiny strip of paper. Abby’s breath caught as she dropped to a seated position. Waves of disbelief washed over her. She studied the gold orchid charm and read the words on the paper. There was no mistaking the meaning. Her portal would open in less than twenty-four hours if she wanted to return home. “Oh, Orchid, what am I to do? Now I understand your earlier melancholy mood and why Gita showed up. When she told me that her message was meant to go home with me, she must have meant literally home to Crestview.” A sob escaped as Abby rushed inside the cottage.
In desperation, Abby switched on Charm’s soothing tones and collapsed on the sofa. She needed to think. No, she didn’t. She needed to get in touch with her higher self and the elevated place, as Gita instructed. Abby inhaled a few times and closed her eyes. Being guided to reflect on the teachings, a type of divine orientation came. She knew what she had to do.
~*~
Nash let himself inside the cottage and found Abby standing in front of the stove, browning chunks of beef. “What do we have here, babe? I thought we’d agreed you’d not tempt fate so soon.” He kissed her neck.
She tilted her face up to him. “I lost the bet, and that means I pay up. Tonight’s the night, señor, that you eat beef tacos.”
“Damn, if they don’t smell edible too. What can I do to help get us to the table sooner?”
Abby frowned as she forked the meat.
“Uh oh, don’t make that face.” Nash took the fork and speared a piece of steak. “Let me taste this.”
“Okay, taste it.” Abby watched as he tried to chew.
“It’s getting bigger the more I—what cut is this?” Nash grabbed a napkin and went to the garbage bin.
“It’s called chuck steak. I thought if it said steak…. Why are you laughing?” Abby popped a tiny morsel into her mouth and commenced chewing. “Blast it all if you couldn’t seal a leak with this meat.” Abby forced herself to swallow.
Laughter from both came roaring into the room, bringing Orchid to investigate.
In between laughs, Abby proclaimed, “I’m a lousy cook. A really lousy cook.”
Nash hugged her into him. “You’re not a lousy cook. You’re an inexperienced cook. Time will tell us if you’re lousy. Keep trying, babe.” He surveyed the rest of the taco ingredients set out.
“Veggie tacos with extra salsa?” Abby’s eyebrow lifted in question.
“Sold. Want me to make yours while you get our drinks?” Nash grabbed a plate.
“Yes, please.” Abby lifted the iced tea pitcher from the fridge and took it to the outside table. She paused a tick, wondering when to tell Nash about the charm. Time wasn’t on her side.
“Here we go.” Nash set the two plates down and held Abby’s chair.
“Always the gentleman,” Abby answered, thinking the statement true on every level. Nash was a kind man.
They spent the next half hour discussing Charm’s doings. Abby got an update on the twin boys and Sander’s progress. Nash entertained her by detailing a prank played on Sander by Aubrey and Will.
“At least Sander was a good sport having his swim trunks painted with smiley faces.” Abby’s expression shone with amusement.
“Too bad the paint hadn’t dried.” Nash chuckled. “He’s come around. Charm’s working its magic. I like the guy.” Nash placed his empty tea glass on the table. A frown appeared as he studied Abby. “Something’s up. Wanna talk?”
“No, but yes.” Abby rose and felt for the tissues in her pocket. She’d need them soon enough. “Let’s go to the gazebo.” She scooped up Orchid, bringing her along.
“Sure, but I’m not liking the vibe coming from you.” Nash’s frown deepened. He reached for Abby’s hand as they walked but said nothing more.
They sat for a few moments in silence. Both knew a shift was coming.
“Tell me what’s happened.” Nash’s eyes locked with hers.
“This.” Abby opened her fingers, revealing the gold orchid charm.
Nash stared at the piece and then at her. “What are you going to do?”
A surprised Abby expected him to rant and rave at the unfairness of life. Instead, his gentle spirit thought of her.
“I’m going back to Crestview in the morning to right my wrongs.” She felt the tears pricking her eyes. “I suspect my grandfather had a hand in this. He knew my guilt was consuming me.”
Nash nodded. “You want to retrieve that research you’d done before it’s found?”
“Yes. I have to do this. If I don’t, then what I’ve been taught and shown in Charm was in vain. For the good of others, I must go back. I know it’s a one-way ticket.” Sadness flooded Abby’s being.
“As painful as it is for me to say, I understand your reasoning. I respect you all the more for the altruistic bent.” Nash stared off, unable to hide the sadness on his face.
“Thank you for saying that.” Abby wiped her cheek and sniffed. How could she bear to walk away from her ideal life and ideal man? She hoped inner strength would find her. In this present moment, all she wanted was to have Nash’s arms around her and plan their future together.
As if reading her mind, he moved to sit next to her. Nash draped his arm around her shoulders. “Answer me this. Do you want to leave? You, the Abby I’m in love with? Does she want her old life? I need to hear that answer.” Nash’s eyes filled with emotion.
Abby shook her head. “I want us. The forever us. Never doubt that, Nash. I love you, and only you. And that’s why my decision is ripping me apart inside. I’m walking away from everything my heart desires. Everything. I’m going back to my empty shell of a life to amend what I’ve done. If I stay in Charm, the shadow of that past will follow me each day, maybe ruin each day. I’m being given a chance to wipe my slate clean.”
Nash tilted her chin. His lips brushed lightly across hers. “I’m about to say goodbye to the most amazing woman I’ve ever known—the woman I love—and will never stop loving.” Nash’s red eyes mirrored Abby’s inner misery.
“I’ve one last request.” Her voice quivered. “Please share this letter with my Charm friends.” Abby passed him the envelope.
Nash tucked the letter into his shirt pocket and looked away for a moment. “I’ll take Orchid to Gita’s.” His voice sounded raspy.
Abby managed a nod. She stroked her perceptive little kitten sleeping next to her. The ache turned to pain. She was sacrificing so much. She looked at Nash and ran her fingers along his jawline, down his nose, tracing his lips, trying to memorize his face. She inhaled his familiar masculine scent, all woodsy. She saw the black cowboy hat on the table. Remember it all, she told herself.
“You’re killing me slowly.” Nash crushed her into his chest.
“I’m killing us both.” Abby grabbed a breath. “Kiss me like there’s no tomorrow.”
Abandoning needless words, they spent the next hour wrapped in each other’s arms. Each ticking second carried a preciousness not to be experienced again. Abby and Nash knew that their final kiss, while filled with passion and unrequited longing, would need to sustain them for the remainder of their lives apart.