Dawn nodded. “I’m grateful for your help. I’ll think about that leave of absence.”
“Anytime.” And with that, Karma vanished.
Chapter 4
Pouting on a log in the El Yunque rain forest, Gaia picked up a coqui. Placing him gently on her open palm, she brought the tiny tree frog level with her face.
“Why can’t my sisters, paranormals, and humans be more like you, coqui? All you want to do is climb leaves, eat bugs, and chirp your cute little song. Although, granted, when a bunch of you get together, you can make quite a loud racket.”
The coqui just stared at her. At least he seemed to be paying attention.
“You see? You’re a wonderful listener. That’s all I want…just someone to listen. If my sister thinks I’m a bitch, maybe it’s because no one listens to me.”
“I’ll listen to you,” a low male voice said.
Gaia bolted upright without turning around. “Was that you, coqui?”
A chuckle sounded from behind her. “No, I’m not your frog, but maybe I’m your prince.”
She whirled around, and the little tree frog jumped off her hand into the bushes. Standing behind her was a handsome gentleman of about fifty or sixty years. Silver strands lightened his sideburns, but the rest of his hair was dark. His eyes were a deep, soft blue and sparkled with delight.
Gaia’s hand touched her décolletage as she took a deep breath and then laughed. “I thought it was strange that my little frog used a human voice.”
The gentleman smiled. “That’s all right. I talk to myself too sometimes.”
She reared back. “I wasn’t talking to myself. I was talking to my coqui.”
“Ah, yes. Well, I’m afraid I don’t have a coqui to talk to. My daughters are all grown up, and I retired a bit early, so now if I stay home too long, I wind up talking to myself or my cat. I’m told it’s okay, and I guess it is, but sometimes I’d really like another opinion.”
“You want my opinion?”
“Sure. Do you mind if I sit with you?”
She smirked. “You might not want to after you hear what I have to say.”
“I’ll take my chances.” He winked and sat on the log.
He winked at me? No one has ever winked at me before.Mother Nature lowered herself slowly to sit beside this odd stranger.
“So what opinion do you think will scare me away?” he asked.
She hesitated. She didn’t really want to scare him away. But she was used to speaking her mind, and most people didn’t seem to like it. Maybe she could try softening her words.
“Well, I was going to say you talk to yourself because you’re lonely. Maybe. I could be wrong.”
“No, you’re quite right.”
She blinked. “I am?”
“Yes, you are.”
They just sat there, staring at each other for a long moment. Eventually, he held out his hand to her.
“I’m Aaron Samuels.”
“Oh.” She shook his hand.Now what?She couldn’t tell this human she was Mother Nature. “Um, you can call me Gaia.”
“Lovely to meet you, Gaia.”
