Midsummer
“You picked an epic day for a grand opening, local. The botanical gardens look spectacular, and the weather couldn’t be more perfect,” Callan said, gazing around the space, which was rapidly filling with people.
We were there for the ribbon cutting at the new botanical garden, and Callan, unsurprisingly, had dressed for the occasion.
His short-sleeved dress shirt showed off the tattoos that I loved, and his hair was styled like a runway model’s, with an effortless tousle to it.
I briefly wondered if he used his wind manipulating powers to get his hair to swoop that way. I hoped that one day I would find out.
“Is your aunt here yet?”
“She and Bryce are inside, getting a preview of the gardens.” I lowered my voice. “I can’t imagine how the flowers in there are reacting to her right now. I hope she doesn’t blow all our covers.”
A car pulled up, and when Oren stepped out, a grin spread across my face. It was comforting to know that the tree affinity botanist would continue living in Weed, tending to the trees along the Wildflower Trail and taking a lead role at the botanical garden. “Hello, Oren. Thanks for coming.”
“I couldn’t miss this,” he said. “Had to see how my saplings are doing. Plus, I wanted to talk to you. I think I may have cracked the riddle.”
I gasped. “You did?”
“Obviously I can’t test it out, but I felt a little something that tells me I’m on the right track. I’m going to reach out to some of my extended family and spread the word in case anyone is ever born with all the affinity powers. Would you two like to come over for tea again sometime?”
“Absolutely,” I said.
“It’s a plan. I’d better get inside and make sure my trees are in top shape for the guests.”
Oren and Callan shook hands, then Oren proceeded into the botanical garden.
“That’s exciting,” Callan said, turning to me. “You two will be able to compare notes soon.”
“Finally. I’m so curious how Cesalpin’s technique compares to da Vinci’s, even if we can’t test it out yet. They both left interesting legacies through those riddles.”
Callan walked over to the sign at the entrance to the botanical gardens. Below the name and some other information about the gardens were the inscribed words:
In loving memory of Tessa Belrose
“A place this beautiful dedicated to your mom… It’s perfect.” Callan turned and brushed a piece of my hair out of my face with such tenderness that I wanted to take his fingers and hold them there forever.
I swallowed a lump in my throat. “There are going to be monthly painting classes held in the gardens, weather permitting. She would have loved it. Speaking of legacies… I thought that my going to art school was the way to carry on her legacy, but maybe this is her legacy instead.”
“Her legacy is you,” Callan said tenderly.
I nodded, touching my hand to the words on the sign. “She’d be happy we’re going to college together.” I had received my acceptance letter, and we were already making plans for the fall.
Callan was studying medicine, of course, and I would be studying art history—the history of botanical art, to be exact.
I had a feeling da Vinci and his contemporaries had a few more secrets up their sleeves.
As a bonus, the university had a massive botanical garden nearby, and we would be able to conduct research and use our magic there.
A truck pulled up, and I recognized a few members of the city council, who were there for the ribbon cutting.
“It’s time for the big show,” I said.
When the council members and press crew—which consisted of a college student majoring in journalism—approached me, Callan stepped out of the way, leaving the spotlight to me.
I watched him walk over to another truck, where Wyatt was pulling up. The two seemed to greet each other warmly enough. I smiled and turned back to the camera.
“Ready to do this?” the mayor asked, helping me clasp a pair of cardboard scissors as large as my body.
“Absolutely,” I replied.
We symbolically cut the scissors through the bright-red ribbon across the entrance gate, the gathered crowd cheered, and the Weed Botanical Gardens were officially open to the public.
“Can I steal her?” Callan asked after patiently waiting for over two hours for me to meet with various visitors and walk through areas of the botanical garden with them.
The turnout had been a smashing success.
Maci had come along with a few of our friends from high school and SCC.
Everyone from Vera’s Café was in attendance.
Then others, so many others, who I didn’t know or didn’t know well, had come.
It brought a smile to my face each time I saw someone point out a plant to a family member in delight.
I hoped the space would be an oasis for them, like Evergreen Academy had been for me.
I took Callan’s outstretched hand and followed him into the rose garden. “Is everything okay?”
“I know you’re the guest of honor here, but there’s something I want to show you, and today is the only day I can.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What is it?”
“Think you can sneak away for a bit?”
“Sure. Let me just say goodbye to Aunt Vera and Maci. I think things are wrapping up here anyway.”
After I said my goodbyes, we climbed into Callan’s truck. My curiosity was overflowing as we cruised toward the academy. We reached campus and parked, and when I stepped out to encounter a purple bloom floating through the air, I let out a scream of delight.
“The jacaranda tree!”
Callan grinned, and the smile met his eyes, lighting up his whole face. “You didn’t get to see it last midsummer, so I didn’t want you to miss another chance.”
He took my hand, and we walked around the academy building toward the pond.
I gasped when I caught sight of the jacaranda tree, its violet flowers brilliant and beautiful on the one day of the year it magically bloomed.
Its presence seemed to take over the entire space, its petals dotting the air like confetti.
“It’s stunning,” I said.
“Yeah, it is,” Callan replied, but I noticed he wasn’t looking at the tree. His eyes were on me.
We joined the crowd of magical botanists who were celebrating midsummer. The Evergreen Academy midsummer gathering was open to everyone now, not just founders’ descendants and people of influence.
Many of the botanists were gathered around where the Vanished Compendium and Da Vinci’s Lost Book of Floracantus were on display. I smiled, hoping the books were connecting us with our past and giving us inspiration for the future.
Wyatt approached as we sipped our watermelon sun tea by the pond that came to the tree’s edge. “Great job today, Briar. The DBI is going to be very happy with the turnout at your grand opening.” He raised his glass, and I reached over to clink mine against his.
“Couldn’t have done it without you,” I said, meaning every word.
“Are you sure you have no interest in the DBI?” He glanced sideways for the glare that question usually brought on from Callan. But Callan seemed completely relaxed, and he waited for my response.
“It’s not a no,” I said, providing the opening for the first time. “But it’s not a yes right now. I’ll be going to university to study the history of botanical art. I think my ancestor has a few more secrets for me to uncover, and I’d like the chance to get to know him a little better.”
“Solving ancient botanical mysteries from an author of the Compendium Floracantus? You’re just begging for the DBI to recruit you even harder,” Wyatt said, humor in his voice.
He turned to his brother. “And you’re off to medical school.
I always knew you were going to change the world.
Nothing will make me happier than seeing you in a white coat someday. ”
“Don’t jinx it,” Callan said dryly, but I heard a touch of emotion in his voice. The validation from his brother meant a lot to him.
“Well, I’m off to mingle. See you two later.” Wyatt raised his glass in farewell then left us alone under the jacaranda tree.
Callan took my drink from my hand and set it on one of the garden tables that were tastefully incorporated into the area for the celebration. Then he pulled me close, his hands settling around my waist.
“Have I told you lately how beautiful you are, local?”
My cheeks heated. “Not since noon.”
“Inside and out, Briar. I’ve known it since the moment I first saw you, and you’ve proven it every day since.”
“The first moment you saw me? When I was trespassing, you mean?” I teased, but there was a spark in his expression, and the words died on my lips. My eyes moved to his mouth.
“I really want to kiss you right now,” he said softly, drawing me even closer.
“Then do it,” I replied with a hint of a challenge.
His hands went to my face, and I closed my eyes as his lips met mine. They were warm, soft, and inviting. My posture relaxed, and I wrapped my arms more firmly around him. We pulled each other nearer, and Callan deepened the kiss.
We had kissed at the academy before, but I marveled at how relaxed and lost in the moment I felt. No one was spying on us with scouting vines. There was no grand scheme to sabotage the academy or to convince me to use my powers to benefit a particular affinity group.
It was just us, a boy and a girl. Two magical botanists. Hearts that had found each other despite how different our worlds had been not very long ago.
We knew there would be challenges ahead, new adventures to face, and unexpected twists in life’s path. But we would face them all together.
When I felt something touch my hair, I pulled back, my eyelids fluttering open to see soft petals of the purple flowers above us gently raining down.
“Sorry,” Callan said, not moving his hands from me.
His lips hovered against my forehead and I could hear a smile as he said, “I think that might be my fault.”
“Our kisses are never normal, are they?” I marveled at the purple floral show around us.
Callan leaned in again to whisper into my ear. “Normal? What have I told you, local? You weren’t born for normal.”
I was biting my lip as he lifted my hand in his and twirled me under the raining petals. Then he pulled me into an embrace that smelled of peaches, sandalwood, and home.