Page 43 of Evergreen Conservatory
For a late-fall day, it was going to be a beautiful one. By eight o’clock, I was deep in an annotated sketch that could function as colorful notes for the biodiversity section of my Advanced Ecological Studies class.
“Someone’s an early riser.”
I jumped slightly in my seat at the unexpected voice breaking the relative quiet of the morning but calmed immediately when I realized who it was. Callan was wearing a backpack and had a thermos in his hand, as if he was about to go on an expedition.
Hollis was with him, standing a few feet back, similarly outfitted.
“Look who’s talking, Lewis and Clark.” I nodded toward their attire.
Callan shrugged off the backpack and took a seat on the bench next to me, and I was immediately charmed by the ease of the movement. It was the way we’d sat for so many nights last year during my tutoring sessions.
“Did you see a bat last night?” he asked.
I had to hustle to remember what he was talking about. The discovery of the field studies invitation had almost made me forget the reason I had been in the forest at night in the first place. “I did. It was all over in seconds, but it was worth the wait.”
“The best things usually are.” He was quiet for a moment, then he nodded toward the gazebo. “I saw you sitting out here and thought I would tell you I’m leaving for a research mission for a few days.”
Hollis busied himself with organizing something in his backpack, but he was watching us out of the corner of his eye. He was certainly roguishly handsome, his deep-brown skin catching the morning sun, but to me, he couldn’t hold a candle to the level ofattraction I felt toward the guy on the stool right next to me. And I smelled that cologne again.
I realized I’d been silent a moment too long and asked, “An actual research mission? Not Sacramento?”
Callan nodded. “Yes, it’s a continuation of the medicinal research project I started last year. Someone may have inspired me.” He bumped his knee into mine. “You told me to make my own opportunities, so that’s what I’m trying to do. I reached out to my advisor from last year, and he was eager to have me back when I can squeeze it in. It’s not technically sanctioned, but we’re keeping it under wraps.”
“I’m so glad you’re doing that!” I exclaimed, feeling lighter by the simple fact that he was finally pursuing something he wanted.
“Me too. We’re headed to a post on the mountain to evaluate the research site. We’ll be camping out there.”
That explained the outfits.
“That’s great news.” I caught Callan’s eye for a moment, trying to silently convey that I was proud of him for making this opportunity. He met my gaze, expression soft.
The moment was broken when Hollis cleared his throat, and I immediately turned my head to look at Callan’s friend. “And Hollis, you’re going too? I thought you had a fern affinity.”
Hollis eyed the ferns that were hanging from the gazebo, and they began to spin. “You are correct.”
I startled, shocked at seeing the ferns do more than their usual shimmy.
“Hollis is doing his own extracurricular under the same researcher,” Callan said.
“Are you interested in medicine then too?” I asked Hollis.
“Didn’t Rhodes tell you? I’m a jack-of-all-trades. Plus, someone’s got to keep an eye on this guy.” Hollis winked.
I couldn’t help but smile at the charm that came through when he spoke. No wonder Coral was suspicious. This man was as confident asthey came.
“You’re telling me.” I leaned forward. “He might go around outshining everyone with his legendary powers.”
Hollis raised his eyebrows, and his mouth opened in delight. “The wind will start blowing, and everyone will be?—”
He was silenced by a loud groan from Callan. “Are you two ganging up on me now?”
I shrugged and made eye contact with Hollis. We both tried to suppress our laughter at the exasperated look on Callan’s face. I saw a tug at the corner of Callan’s mouth for a second, though.
“Maybe a little. Consider it initiation,” I said. I thought of my own top secret field studies invite with my still unknown mentor, task, or location. My hands brushed across my notebook, where the invitation envelope was firmly tucked.
Something must have flashed across my face because Callan narrowed his eyes. “What is it?”
I didn’t say anything but crossed my arms, as if warding off his inquiries.
