Chapter 14 #3
Instead, I plopped down on the grass and gave myself a moment to breathe.
Healing was a double-edged sword. It was a great gift, but depending on the extent of power needed, it often left me drained.
Leaning back on my hands, I closed my eyes and lifted my face to the sky, allowing the cool breeze to brush my cheeks.
“Is the dog all right then?”
Slitting my eyes open, I saw the gnome sticking his head out of the door and looking both ways.
“Aye. No thanks to you.” I wasn’t willing to let this wee man off the hook quite yet.
“Do you hear that, Gnorman? You almost killed a dog. What’s wrong with you?”
I gaped as the second gnome, a woman dressed in a pencil skirt and a low-cut top, smacked Gnorman on the back of his head and sashayed toward me.
“I’m Gnora. You must be one of us, or Gnorman wouldn’t have left his resting gnome stance to talk to you.”
“Hi, Gnora. I’m Faelan. It’s nice to meet you.” That was questionable as I wasn’t yet sure if it was nice to meet these little menaces.
“Och, don’t lump me in with the likes of him. I would never do such a thing to a dog. Even if those filthy creatures do try to pee on us.” Gnora put her hands on her hips as Gnorman came toward her, red cap in hand, his face crestfallen.
“I didn’t know, Gnora. I thought I was giving the beastie a wee treat.”
“Mushrooms? What dog likes mushrooms?”
“It was all we had on hand that was easy for me to grab. Truthfully, I just wasn’t thinking.” Gnorman sidled closer to Gnora, his eyes huge and sad in his face.
“And to think, I was considering carrying your bairn. Not with the likes of that behavior, I won’t be.” Gnora sniffed and lifted her chin.
“You were?” Hope lit Gnorman’s face. “Och, just think what a bonnie lass you’ll be with your round belly.”
“You think?” This seemed to catch Gnora’s attention, and before I knew it, she’d giggled and run off, blowing kisses over her shoulder while Gnorman took chase. Shaking my head, I let out a sigh. Was this my life now? Talking foxes and gnome statues that come to life?
A car door slammed, and I stood, brushing my pants off as Shona crossed the lawn to me.
“I’m sorry about that. I just felt better seeing her home and making sure Mitch was well looked after.” Shona glanced around and then up at me. “She knows about the gnomes.”
“What?” My eyebrows shot up. “Really?”
“Aye. She’s not a part of the Order. But seems she must have her own rare gift, because she heard you speaking to him in the greenhouse.”
“Is she … will she … do anything?” I wasn’t really sure who you’d report talking gnomes to, but I was so used to getting persecuted for being a witch that my first instinct was to worry for Shona’s safety.
“Nope. Doesn’t seem fussed in the slightest other than asking me to give Gnorman a stern talking to. Now if Mitch had been seriously hurt, that might be a different story.” Shona sighed and tugged on her blond braid, pursing her lips. “Those little shites.”
“I couldn’t believe what I was seeing when I walked up. I’m surprised Zara isn’t fazed by it either,” I admitted, as I fell into step beside her as we went into the greenhouse. Shona led me to a table full of trays of waxy-leafed plants.
“I swear they cause nothing but trouble. But I do love them.” Shona swept out a hand to the plants.
“Now, we can do a spider plant for you which is absolutely fine with its soil going dry and being watered sparingly or if you want flowers like you asked for, I’d give you a geranium or a peace lily, but you’ll need to keep the soil moist.”
Instantly I felt tension band my gut.
“How do I keep the soil wet all the time? What if I forget?”
“You can use one of these.” Shona indicated a cute little frog statue with a long stem at its butt. “Fill with water and it will slowly drip into the soil.”
“Oh, well, that seems very helpful.” I looked between the three plants, but I kept going back to the bright pink flowers. “I’m sure the spider plant would be more realistic, but I think I want the geranium.”
“It’s a hardy plant. You’ll do well with it, I’m sure of it. Plus, if it starts to look a little worse for wear, just call me and we can triage it.”
“Oh no, we’re already talking about triage and I’ve just met the plant.” I sighed and ran a finger across a leaf. “I’ll do my best by you, pretty lady.”
“Give her a name. Talk to her. Soon you’ll remember to feed her like she’s part of the family.”
“Hmm, I don’t really have much family. I guess I’ll have to build one on my own.”
“You do, you know.” Shona stopped from where she was transferring the geranium into a small pot.
“Here in Loren Brae. With us. It’ll take time.
Feels a bit weird at first—particularly with the gnomes and the magick and the Kelpies and all that—but we’re here.
We don’t turn our backs on one of ours.”
Unexpectedly, my eyes filled, and I blinked down at the now blurry table of plants.
We don’t turn our backs on one of ours. I doubted that Shona appreciated how incredible those words sounded.
I’d been on my own for years now, and therefore, hadn’t felt part of a family since Eriska passed.
It had been such a solitary existence, and the more I got to realize that and see the stark difference in Loren Brae, the more I felt both overjoyed and filled with sorrow for the many years on my own. Hence the tears.
“Och, you poor wee thing. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry.
I just wanted you to know that we’re here.
” Shona’s arms came around me and I leaned into her hug, feeling the kindness radiating from her like a warm blanket.
“Come on now. How about a wee cuppa tea or hell, it’s time for a glass of wine, no?
Let’s pour a glass and have ourselves a chat. I want to know more about you.”
“And I you. Thanks, Shona.” I held up my plant. “And for this, she’s really lovely.”
“What’s her name?”
“Betty,” I said, automatically, and grinned when the plant seemed to perk up in my hands. Granted, that was likely just my imagination, but still, it was fun to think she responded to my naming her.
“That’s a grand name. Sure, and she’s going to love her new home with her new family.”
Cheered, I tucked her in the nook of my arm and went to have a glass of wine with my new friend.
A friend that I don’t have to hide anything from. It was a refreshing concept, and I realized now just how much my soul had been craving such a connection. I couldn’t believe how much time had passed before I realized I had to get home. Such was the easy company.
Every day, Loren Brae was helping me to grow roots.