Page 49 of A Touch of Spring Magic

“I wonder what other secrets the garden holds,” Sarah said, pulling Jessica in for another quick hug. “Behave,” Sarah said softly. “No. I don’t mean that,” she whispered, and Jessica choked on a laugh, or was it a sob? “Be kind to yourself, Jessie. You have so much to give. You always have.”

Jessica stared at her sister, wanting to keep her there, but knowing she’d slip away.

Sarah pulled away too soon and headed to the door, waving over her head, like Jessica did.

Is that genetic?

Or an escape tactic?

“Thanks for letting me play sous chef,” she told Storm.

“Yeah right. Go pretzel yourself or whatever Pilates is, and thanks for breakfast. My crew has no excuse to not get a lot off the checklist today. I haven’t thought about cheesy grits in years.”

Sarah patted her slim hips. “I try to never think about them unless I am cooking for others.” She turned around and made a little heart shape with her hands near her chest—something that Chloe had done for the past few years.

“And save some work for us this weekend,” Sarah reminded him. “You have all the Maye sisters, and I think the whole crew of the Wild Side so have a long honeys-do list.”

Jessica snorted. “There’s plenty of work. That’s not the issue.”

“And we expect to be fed.” Sarah tapped on theSouthern Love Spellsbook playfully. “I think we should all pick something to practice for the party—maybe this Sunday. You might want to get a jump start on your recipe, Jessie. Seems you have a willing taste tester.” Her glance at Storm had the subtlety of a six-car pileup.

“Hahaha.” Jessica threw a tea towel at Sarah’s departing back.

Then she faced Storm, feeling like the air in the room electrified. He looked at the book, propped open.

“You didn’t use it, did you?” she demanded. “Or did Sarah?” Her eyes widened in horror. Which one would be worse?

“Let’s eat,” was all he said.

*

Jessica watched himsuspiciously, and he made a big deal about his first bite. He cut his French toast into small squares, looked at them, crossed himself and took a bite. Then he clutched his chest.

Jessica gasped and half stood up.

“So good,” he said.

“You are not funny.”

“I am. Relax. Sarah was looking through the recipes while she was waiting for the griddle to heat, but she didn’t use the book to make the grits or French toast, and my eggs are eggs.”

Jessica pressed her lips together. She didn’t like being laughed at, and yet, she was acting ridiculous. Storm wasn’t interested in her anymore. They were adults. For all she knew he was dating someone. None of their conversations had taken a personal or romantic turn.

“I feel like we can write off this breakfast on our taxes since it’s a business breakfast,” Jessica joked as Storm pulled out his ubiquitous iPad.

She’d always liked to freehand draw, but the iPad did look more professional. He would have clients he’d need to inspire, impress and reassure. She would be selling plants, not telling people where to put them, although people might ask for advice.

Hmmmm… Before she could digress, she focused on the now.

“I was thinking last night,” she said. “I liked your idea of a larger, entertainment garden space between the barn and house,” she said. “Not that I think I’ll have a lot of events here after Chloe and Rustin’s party, but you were right about leaving a door open to the future.”

“Who are you and where’s Jessica?”

“You’re still not funny,” she said loftily, trying hard not to smile.

“Finding that fairy last night makes me feel I’m on the right track to have some separate, themed spaces, but I like the idea of an expansive space that could eventually host parties or concerts eventually…maybe,” she stressed when she saw the interest flare in his eyes. “And we should keep our focus there for the party. But I will need to figure out where exactly I want to house my nursery. I don’t see me going into the event space business.”

“At this point,” Storm said, chewing and looking thoughtful. “You’re just getting started.” He scrolled through screens. “But keep your options open. When you have the nursery and then the walking path through your botanical garden, you’re going to have folks up here, and they’re going to get ideas. Gardens are tough to maintain, and not everyone has a large house or yard lot so people might want to book a family reunion or celebration somewhere pretty. Corporations might want to book a company picnic, weddings. Doesn’t mean you have to do the work. You can provide the space, they can book a caterer, rent tables and the like, but I still think the barn should be remodeled some so that it’s to commercial code. Adds flexibility, and it’s close enough to the house that it’s practical. If we added windows up top for light, it could be your shop. You could also contract some high-end porta-potties.”

---