She slipped the phone into her pocket without opening the message. It could wait until after their visit to the greenhouse. She wanted to enjoy the morning without deadlines and contracts pressing at the edges of it.
“Ready to go?” she asked, eyeing Percy’s mismatched outfit one more time.
Percy nodded decisively. “I am.”
“Then let’s go.”
They headed out to the car, Percy chattering about which dinosaurs could eat chilies and which would be too scared of the heat. Isla helped him into the car and checked that his seatbelt was secure.
As she slid into the driver’s seat, her phone buzzed again in her pocket. She ignored it, turning the key in the ignition instead. The agent would have to wait.
The drive from Bear’s Rest to Kirk’s place was short, but the views were enough to steal her breath. They followed the GPS along winding back roads, each turn opening ontomore mountains and forest. Even after yesterday’s drive, the landscape still felt unreal.
“Mom, look at that stream!” Percy exclaimed as they crossed a small bridge. Below them, clear water tumbled over smooth stones, sparkling in the sunlight.
“It’s beautiful,” Isla agreed, slowing the car to let them both appreciate the view.
“On the way back, can we stop and take a closer look?” he asked.
“We’ll see,” Isla said as she drove on.
Ten minutes later, they rounded a bend, and Kirk’s place came into view. Isla felt a flutter of anticipation as she pulled into the gravel driveway.
The cabin was smaller than she’d expected, but charming—weathered wood with a deep porch and pots of flowering plants lining the steps. Behind it stood the greenhouse, much larger than the cabin itself, its glass panels gleaming in the morning light.
As she parked the car, the front door of the cabin opened, and Kirk emerged, striding toward them. His face was slightly flushed, and his hair looked as if he’d run his hands through it several times. She found herself smiling at the thought that he might be just as nervous as she was.
“He’s here!” Percy announced unnecessarily, already unbuckling his seatbelt.
“Wait for me,” Isla reminded him, turning off the engine.
Kirk reached the car just as they were getting out, his expression brightening as Percy bounded toward him.
“Hello again,” he said, his deep voice sending an unexpected shiver down Isla’s spine. “I’m glad you found the place okay.”
“The GPS was very specific,” Isla replied, immediately regretting how formal she sounded. Why was she suddenly so awkward? She talked to people for a living, for goodness’ sake.
“Did you bring your dinosaur?” Kirk asked Percy, crouching down to his level.
Percy held up Spike proudly. “He wanted to see the chilies too.”
“Well, we’d better not disappoint him then,” Kirk said seriously. He straightened and turned to Isla. “I thought we’d start with the greenhouse, if that’s all right with you?”
“Lead the way,” she said, grateful for his easy manner with Percy. It gave her a moment to collect herself and push away the strange nervousness tightening in her chest. It was just a visit to a chili farm. Nothing more.
Kirk guided them toward the massive greenhouse, explaining to Percy how he’d built it himself with help from his brothers. The pride in his voice was unmistakable, not boastful but simply pleased with what he’d created.
And he should be. As they approached, Isla could see row upon row of plants through the glass, varying in height and color. But every one of them looked lush and healthy.
Kirk pulled open the door, and a wave of warm, humid air washed over them. “Welcome to my world,” Kirk said softly, holding the door as they stepped inside.
Isla gasped despite herself. The interior of the greenhouse was like stepping into another climate entirely—warm, lush, and humming with life. Plants of every size filled the space, from tiny seedlings in trays to mature plants heavy with colorful chilies. The air was rich with the scent of damp soil and vegetation, with an underlying spicy note that tickled her nose.
“Wow,” Percy whispered, his eyes wide as he took in the jungle of green.
Kirk looked nervous as he watched their reactions, as if their opinion of his greenhouse actually mattered to him. Isla found it unexpectedly endearing—this big, capable man caring what she and Percy thought of his plants.
“This is incredible,” she told him honestly. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
