After setting the crystal grid, I check on my solar drying racks. The oregano and thyme I laid out three days ago are perfectly preserved, their solar essence locked in through slow, natural dehydration. I run my fingers through the brittle leaves, inhaling their concentrated aromatics. No mechanical dehydrator could capture what the sun does naturally, infusing each leaf with stored sunlight.
The late afternoon sun lowers in the sky when I head out to check my mail. As I'm walking down, Tessa Perkins-Mendoza is dropped off at the end of my neighbor's driveway. She spots me and waves enthusiastically.
The teen is interested in starting her own farm once she's an adult and finds my witchy ways intriguing. We chat for a few minutes about how her junior year has been going, then she heads down the driveway to her boss, who is waiting on his patio. I offer him a neighborly wave and almost laugh out loud athis grumpy response. Colt may be my hot cowboy neighbor, but he's also such a grump.
In the evening, I settle in front of the fire with a glass of Syrah and open my laptop. I've been so busy harvesting for the Farmers Market that I haven't checked my work email today. The first thing I notice is that Sunday is the deadline to sign up for this year's harvest festival. I didn't take part last year since I was so new, but now I feel ready.
Smiling to myself, I click the button and begin filling out the form.
3
Colt
As always,Saturday's Farmers Market is bustling. The September chill in the air doesn't keep the residents of Corvid Valley away from their weekend tradition. After helping my umpteenth customer of the day, my eyes wander down the stands, and I'm annoyed when my body reacts to the sight of Serena at her booth.
Tessa comes up behind me with bunches of rosemary to fill in the gaps on the table and looks over to where I'm staring. "Looks like your neighbor's having an excellent Saturday as well," she says, giving me a knowing smile.
"Yeah. I don't get it," I mumble, which makes her giggle and shake her head.
Before I can ask her what's so funny, her parents, Miguel and Dawn, stop by.
"Hey, Mom. Will you get me the tea I like from Serena? I'm all out."
"Of course, sweetie," Dawn says, giving me a half-hug hello.
Right then, Miguel's brother and my friend since elementary school, Armando Mendoza, shows up with his four-year-old son, Gabriel.
"Hey, man. No Erin today?"
"She's at home with the baby. Luz has the sniffles. My baby girl needs to be better for her birthday."
"Aww. My baby cousin has to be better by her birthday party," Tessa says.
"Yeah. Erin has given me an assignment to check out Serena Tuttle's herbs and teas over there to see if she has anything that would be appropriate for her."
Furrowing my brow, I bite back a snarky comment.
"Oh hey, Colt, can I place an order for Mexican mint marigold for the party? I'm making my world-famous Mexican-style burgers."
"Yeah, of course. I have a good harvest right now, too."
"Alright, man. Exceptional. And you're coming. Right?"
"Wouldn't miss it."
After the morning rush, Tessa takes off to enjoy her Saturday like a teenager should. Customers are steady throughout the rest of the day, but not like the morning rush. Goldie, the Farmers Market manager, swings by an hour after lunch and approaches my table.
"Hey, Colt. Before I forget, just a heads up, but you're sharing a booth for the Harvest Festival this year."
"Oh, seriously?" I ask, surprised.
"Yeah, all local farmers are, because we've had an insane amount of outside people signing up, and we just need to condense."
"Alright. Well, that's good. I bet you guys are making bank with that. Who am I paired with?"
Right then, Goldie is called to the office over the announcement speaker.
"Oh, shit, Colt. Something must be up. I have to run," she says and takes off.
