But long enough for what? To learn how to find food in the forest? Or to find herself again, the version of herself she’d lost somewhere along the way?
“What’s this one?” Percy asked, pointing to a plant with jagged-edged leaves.
Instead of immediately answering, Kirk asked, “What do you notice about it?”
Percy studied the plant carefully. “It has pointy leaves. And little hairs.”
“Good observations,” Kirk nodded. “Anything else?”
“It’s growing in the shade,” Percy added after a moment.
“That’s right,” Kirk said. “This is stinging nettle. Those little hairs can hurt if you touch them with your bare skin, but when cooked, nettle is delicious and full of vitamins. We’ll need gloves to harvest it, though.”
As if prepared for anything, Kirk pulled a pair of small gardening gloves from his pocket and handed them to Percy.They were much too big, but Percy looked delighted as he carefully pulled them on.
“Now I can touch it?” he asked, seeking confirmation.
“Yes, but we’ll cut it rather than pull it,” Kirk explained, showing Percy how to use the small scissors from his foraging kit. “Cut just above this point on the stem, see?”
Percy followed Kirk’s instructions with careful precision, his tongue poking out between his teeth in concentration. When he successfully snipped the nettle and added it to his basket, his face broke into a triumphant grin.
“I did it!”
“You sure did,” Kirk said, his voice filled with genuine pride. “You’re a natural forager.”
Isla felt her throat tighten unexpectedly. Percy’s father had never shown this kind of patience and had never nurtured Percy’s natural curiosity. In the short time he’d been a part of their lives, he’d been too busy, too distracted, too focused on his own needs.
But Kirk was different. He seemed to genuinely enjoy Percy’s company, answering question after question without a hint of impatience. When Percy misidentified a plant, Kirk didn’t correct him directly but asked another question, guiding Percy to discover his own mistake.
They came to a small clearing where sunlight poured through a break in the canopy, illuminating a patch of wild strawberries. Percy gasped in delight.
“Mom! Look at these! They’re so tiny!”
Kirk showed Percy how to check if they were ripe, gently rolling one between his fingers before picking it. “The truly ripe ones will come away easily,” he explained. “If you have to tug, it’s not ready yet.”
Percy nodded solemnly and began harvesting with careful concentration, placing each tiny berry in his basket as if it were a precious gem.
Isla kneeled beside them, joining in the harvest. Her fingers brushed against Kirk’s as they reached for the same cluster, and a small jolt of awareness shot through her. She glanced up to find him watching her, his expression soft and unguarded.
“Thank you for this,” she whispered, not wanting Percy to overhear. “For being so patient with him.”
Kirk shook his head slightly. “No need to thank me. He’s a remarkable kid. Smart, curious, careful, all the best qualities in a foraging partner.”
“Still,” Isla insisted, “not everyone would take the time. Most adults get tired of his questions pretty quickly.”
“Their loss,” Kirk said simply. “Questions are how we learn. Besides…” His mouth curved in a slight smile. “He reminds me of myself. Being around him makes everything feel new again.”
Isla chuckled. “That’s one of the best things about having a child. Their enthusiasm is infectious. They can make the simplest things feel wonderful.”
“That’s how this feels right now,” Kirk murmured. “With both of you.”
Isla looked up, meeting his gaze. Something in his eyes made her heart flutter, an openness, a vulnerability she hadn’t expected from someone who seemed so solid and self-assured.
But then Percy flopped down between them. “Look how many I found!”
“That’s quite a haul,” Kirk said, his expression serious as he inspected Percy’s basket. “I’d say you’re officially a master forager now.”
Percy’s face glowed with pride. “Really?”
