Filed to story: The Healer and The Wolf PDF Free
He didn’t look happy. I gave him a sheepish grin before whispering, “Do you hear anyone?”
He squeezed his eyes shut, then shook his head. When he opened them again, they were a blazing green so bright they couldn’t be human.
“All right, you do what you have to do. I’ll keep on my duties so no one gets suspicious.”
Leo nodded, then slid out of the truck. I hurried away, giving him the space to transform without being enveloped in all that hot steam.
I almost didn’t see Haelena until I nearly ran into her at the promenade closer to the manor. She was deadheading the hibiscus bush that dominated the cottage garden
“Ah, Valencia, there you are! Again, I have to say thank you for coming in clutch with that tire. I wouldn’t have known what to do in that situation. Not exactly skills they taught in my etiquette class.”
“I’m sure you would have figured it out,” I said, trying to act natural-well, Valencia-natural, since Ven-natural was something entirely different. It was easier said than done.
“You give me too much credit. I would have had to call a tow truck or some sort of repairman, or at least one of the men on staff. Definitely not a solution that would have things handled before the party.” She gave me one of those old lady pinches that wasn’t about pain and more an expression of fondness. “Oh! Speaking of the party, I need you to change out of that sanitation uniform and do some work out in the tea garden.”
“Tea garden?” I frowned. “Isn’t that awfully close to where the party will be?” Why would Chadwicke want one of gardeners present where people could see?
“Yes. Word came in just a bit ago that the head of staff wants one of our groundskeepers at every arranged area where guests might wander in case they had any questions. And, you know, to make sure they don’t ingest anything that could hurt them in case they’re trying for some sort of litigation.”
I desperately wanted to roll my eyes. “Shouldn’t they have security on that detail?” I really, really didn’t want to be so visible. While I did maintain that there would be innocent guests, there was likely to be just as many not so innocent guests as well. I’d prefer it if those people didn’t see my face.
“Security don’t know what’s edible or not, so they’d have to just carpet ban eating anything. Apparently, the master of the house really wants to show off all the new additions to his garden. You know, the rich so often like to play-act at sustainability.”
Oh, boy, was I particularly aware of that. While I supported anyone who made steps to be a better steward to the planet, it always struck me as odd when the wealthy elite did the same stuff as poor people did. They had the resources and ability to make change on a much greater scale.
“You don’t have to be nervous. Trust me, most everyone will ignore you, and those who don’t will have a genuine interest in the tea garden.”
I supposed she had a point, but still, it made me really nervous. Part of me wanted to object, but if I refused, she might send me home, and I couldn’t have that. I had to be around in case Leo needed me.
How I would help him, I didn’t know. Still, I wouldn’t abandon him.
“Okay, then. I’ll go put this sanitation suit in the laundry chute, then head out there. Anything else I should know?”
“Just be your normal, planty self, dear! Oh, and you don’t have to stand around looking presentable. You can do some work as long as it doesn’t get any dirt onto any of the walkways. Passive stuff, you know.”
“Understood. Will you be nearby?”
“I’ll actually be in the orchard with Esperanza. Not that you’ll need me, of course. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders.”
“Thank you, Haelena.”
“You’re welcome, my sweet. It’s been good to have you on the team. Don’t tell the others, but I see you becoming my favorite!”
And there was the guilt, rushing in to remind me that if my plan was successful, everyone I liked here would lose their jobs. Since, ya know, their boss was about to be murdered.
Better not to think about that.
Banishing those thoughts from my head, I hurried to shuck off the bright-yellow sanitation jumpsuit and get to the tea garden. Maybe if I looked really busy, people wouldn’t want to bother me.
Well, if I wanted to look occupied, I needed some tools. I stopped off at the supply shed and grabbed a gardening apron, a trowel, some mini-pruners and a pair of scissors. It wasn’t a full kit, but it would be enough for different tasks that could pop up.
By the time I made it to the tea garden, I heard the administrative assistants going over final checklists when they passed by. I did my best to keep my head down and get to work, but from what I could hear, it was going to be one crazy shindig.
Vehicles drove past, dropping of the musicians, some performers, and other things that sounded completely over the top and unnecessary to me. But what did I know about grand events to celebrate criminals?
Thankfully, I managed to lose myself in my tasks. It was just me and the warm earth. The sun above and all the different types of leaves and flowers around me beckoned me to pay attention to them and only them.
I wished I had my garden stool. My knees were weak, flimsy things and usually ended up resenting me if I spent too much time kneeling. I’d bought a garden stool online that made everything I had to do in the yard much easier. Unfortunately, it wasn’t an approved piece of equipment for whenever I was working where I would be visible by guests. The head of personnel thought they made the staff look lazy. I had no idea how using a short stool possibly made anyone look lazy, but whatever. I wasn’t in charge, and soon, hopefully, I would be home and back to my regular schedule.
Although I would miss the extra money.
“Excuse me, miss.”
I looked up from the lavender bush. The flowers were only just beginning to bud, and if they opened fully, the plant would be a bit too mature for the teas, oils, and other things the staff used them for.
Although I wasn’t exactly the biggest fan of our dear Chadwicke, the one thing I did appreciate was that he was very keen on using the many things he grew around the estate. Was that the warlock in him? I had no idea how his magic worked, but from what little I’d learned of witches from pop culture and the various friends I had in college, it didn’t seem outside the realm of possibility to assume his spells might need components that could be grown right out in his backyard. And by backyard, I meant his sprawling estate, which had a produce garden, an orchard, a cottage garden, multiple beautiful flower gardens, the tea garden, as well as at least a dozen other lovely focal spots full of statement pieces dotted throughout the compound.
But I suppose even a broken clock was right twice a day, so it wasn’t too surprising the guy was doing one thing right. It certainly didn’t make up for the plethora of other heinous crimes he’d committed. Not by a long shot.
Oh, right, someone was talking to me. Man, I really was in my own head.
“Yes?” I replied as sweetly as I could when I saw the young girl in an adorable party dress. She had to be around ten or eleven and was looking at me with such open fascination, I worried there was something on my face.
“What are you doing to that plant?”
There was no rudeness or demand to her voice, just a gentle sort of curiosity. Ooh, was I encountering a fledgling gardener? We did tend to start quite young.
“I’m cutting and harvesting these flowers so my friends can use them for things.”