“No worries. I can show you around right now, if you’d like,” Grace answers.
“Just a moment,” Alisha says, gesturing to Grace’s bucket. “Were you taking cuttings from that bush?”
“Yes, I was,” Grace answers. “I want to start some more of this one, and we have a couple of hybrid flowers, so I was going to try for more of those.”
“You shouldn’t be cutting at the stalk,” Alisha says, going over to the bush to show her. “But at the first node here.”
“Interesting,” Grace replies, leaning forward to look closely at the branch. “What’s your reasoning for this?”
“Well, cutting at the base of the stalk is more like trauma, and it’s hard-edged, tougher to sprout from. The node is a natural growth point, more likely to bud, and less damage to the plant.”
“This makes perfect sense!” Grace exclaims. “I need you to come and look at the hyacinths! I can’t get the cuttings to bud. Maybe you can tell me why!”
“My pleasure,” Alisha says, and the girls turn to walk briskly up the path.
I follow along behind, wondering what I’ve gotten myself into. Mercifully, my phone rings, and I snatch it out of my pocket.
“Hello?” I answer gratefully.
“Hey,” Rex says. “I need you to come in.”
“I’m retired, Rex. I shouldn’t have to hear those exact words.”
“Okay, then. I need to talk to you about the pack business, you being my co-alpha.”
“Fuck, alright. When?”
“Now. I’ve got some boys meeting at the bend of the main track between the towns.”
“Okay, I’ll be there soon.”
“Over and out.”
Jogging to catch up with the girls, I can see they have their heads together and are talking in earnest.
I really don’t want to break this up, but I can’t leave Alisha alone.
“Hey, girls,” I say, catching up. “I have to go and meet Rex. Alisha, you better come—”
“I’m staying,” she tells me firmly. “I’m perfectly fine here. Don’t worry about me.”
I look between the two of them, struggling with my feelings. I don’t want to leave her, but the place seems so quiet and peaceful, I can’t imagine anything happening here.
“She’ll be fine,” Grace says, smiling. “I need her, anyway. I may never let her out of my sight.”
“Okay, then,” I answer. “I won’t be long, and call me right away if you need me.”
The girls slip straight back into conversation as if they have forgotten my existence, and I jog back to the truck so I can drive out through the rough track that meets between the towns.
It’s a short drive, and when I get there, Rex, Luke, Shawn, and Daniel are waiting for me.
“What’s the good word?” I ask, getting out of my truck. “If it is good, that is.”
Rex sighs. “Well. It isn’t bad. At least, not yet.”
“What’s going on?” I ask, a bit more sharply than I meant to.
I brought Alisha here to keep her safe. The last thing I need is the ancient spirit blowing the place up.
