Page 28 of The Calling of Caellaias
Turning around, I sat up on my haunches. The red-hot skin on my ass bumped up against my heel, and I winced. All thoughts of pleasure had been erased from my mind.
“I’m sorry. It’s a very long story for another time, but I was hurt in a past relationship, and it still haunts me. I know you have no intent to hurt me the way he did, but it still plagues my mind at the worst possible times.”
“I’m so sorry you had to go through that. I want you to know I would never hurt you intentionally. Where is this prick?” Maeyve asked.
“Well, I’m not sure what happened to him after our engagement was called off.”
“I hope he got what he deserved. If anyone ever lays a hand on you again, I will waste no time in causing them ten times more pain than they ever could have thought to cause you.”
Tears lined my lower lids. When the last words left her lips, I whispered, “I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize,” she murmured, caressing my cheek. “Let’s go downstairs and make some coffee so we can truly start the day.”
After finishing our coffee, we headed upstairs again to get dressed. The weather was warm enough that I didn’t need a jacket, and I was ecstatic. Autumn was my favorite season back home, but late spring here was beautiful so far. The mountains' temperatures drastically differed from those I was used to on the East Coast.
I pulled on a long-sleeved flannel and thick leggings while Maeyve put on the clothes she had worn the day before. Most of my clothes wouldn’t fit her taller and leaner frame without falling off or being too short.
As Maeyve followed me through the greenhouse with an armload of supplies, she teased, “Aren’t you glad I’m here to help? You would’ve had to make more than one trip to take everything outside.” I turned to glare at her, but the grin plastered on her face made me smile instead. “Where are we starting today?”
“We’re going to the plots on the edge of the woods so I can keep a close eye on everything from the greenhouse.”
“Okay. Sounds like a plan. Please let me know how I can help you as we go. I’m interested in what you’re doing and hate feeling useless.”
“You’re silly. I hope you realize you’re the exact opposite of useless. I’ll let you know if I need help, but I’ll gladly have your company. I love spending time with you.”
Her cheeks turned a bright red. “Thank you. It’s been a long time since I’ve had company, and I enjoy being around you, too. Are you ready to head out?”
When I nodded, she opened the door for me, and we wandered out to the garden plots. The sun’s warm rays danced over me. It was invigorating. However, the closer we got to the woods, the harder it became to feel the heat through the trees.
Once we reached our destination, I set down the items I was carrying, and Maeyve followed suit. Grabbing my tools, I began preparing the soil in both plots. One plot would include the soil additive, while the other would be untouched. Doing this allowed me to compare how well the increased amount of Manganese helped the plants grow. All the other components would be the same for each side: temperature, amount of water, and sunlight.
As I did my work, Maeyve sat on the ground, watching me, and asked several times if she could help me. Laughing every time she asked, I refused the help until I was ready to plant the seeds.
Pulling two seed packets from my pocket, I handed one to Maeyve. “These are tomato seeds. I want you to make shallow little holes about a quarter of an inch deep and keep them an inch apart, then put two seeds in each hole and lightly cover it.”
“I can do that,” she said and then set to work on the control side.
I watched her for a moment, appreciating the effort she put into this small thing that was so important to me. Refocusing on the task at hand, I made my small holes as I’d told Maeyve to do and added three drops of the additive to each one. Capping the bottle, I ripped open my packet and placed two seeds in each hole before covering them and leveling the ground. I’d see seedlings erupting from the soil in about a week, but it depended on how much the temperatures fluctuated. Iwas still excited. I loved seeing each plant’s stages and how each was slightly different from the one next to it.
When I was done planting, I brushed my hands on my pants, shaking away the excess dirt. Looking over, I was surprised to find Maeyve staring up at me from her spot on the ground, already done with her task.
“You were fast.” My voice was lighthearted as I added, “Did you do everything just how I told you to?”
Maeyve’s mouth dropped open. “Are you saying I’m incompetent?” Standing up, she approached me with a smirk.
My cheeks reddened in embarrassment. “Th-that wasn’t at all what I was trying to say!”
“I know you were just kidding. It was my turn to give you heck. I dideverythingjust as you told me to. What else needs to be done out here?”
“I just need to water the plots and do some paperwork to document the start of my experiment. Other than that, I have no other plans right now.”
Grabbing my hand, she pulled me to her and gave me a light kiss. “Let’s take these tools inside and grab your watering cans. Then, we can eat lunch and figure out what to do from there. How does that sound?”
Pulling her knuckles to my lips, I gently kissed them. “That sounds like a great plan.”
Chapter eighteen
Maeyve
