“She’d like to meet us in the park in Mount Shasta and continue to where you’ll be studying from there. I will introduce the two of you for this first meeting.”
My brain was working quickly, trying to piece together the information. If we were meeting in Mount Shasta, did that mean I’d be discovering another local botanist I didn’t know about? Or was this person working in the area just for the duration of the field studies project?
“When do we get started?”
“I’ll inform her of your acceptance and let you know when we are to meet. I’m guessing she will want to begin as soon as next week.”
“Great,” I said eagerly. Given that my friends had already begun their field studies, I was anxious to get mine underway. Plus, I was itching to meet whoever this botanist was who had nevertaken a field studies student. “Is there anything I should do to prepare?”
Professor East smiled softly. “Just be yourself, Ms. Whelan. That is more than enough.”
“Oh, one other thing. The invitation said that the study is classified? What does that mean, exactly?”
“Aw, yes. You won’t be able to share the work you’re doing there with anyone else. But you can tell your friends that you’ve been assigned a field study related to defensive plants.”
“Got it, thanks.” My shoulders relaxed as my mind buzzed. This was confirmation that the field study was one for defensives. I had assumed as much, based on the mention of counterpoison development, but hadn’t been sure until that moment. I was grateful I could tell my friends I had an assignment. Before the meeting, I worried I would have to keep the whole thing secret.
Professor East nodded, and a tendril from a trailing plant tugged the office door open. “Enjoy your week. I have a feeling that once you get started, your field studies advisor is going to keep you quite busy.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
The day before my aunt’s wedding, Yasmin and I met in the flower gardens at Evergreen Academy. Professor Tenella had granted me permission to take whatever I needed. The flowers I cut would grow back in no time, thanks to the magically enhanced soil and the skills of botanists with floral affinities.
“I feel so horrible that I had to cancel as your plus-one at the last minute. Who knew that these field studies assignments were going to be so spontaneous? I wanted to try to wiggle out of the last-minute project this weekend, but I need to make a good impression on my field studies advisor. With the whole career opportunities thing?—”
I set a hand on her arm. “Yasmin, it’s fine. I was looking forward to you coming with me, but I’ll be okay on my own. Please don’t beat yourself up about it.”
“But you said you didn’t want to be a third wheel with Maci and Alex all night.”
I let out a puffy breath, and a wave of hair breezed away from my eye. “Yeah, that could be awkward. But I’ll survive.”
“Fronds. I’m a terrible friend. And Coral and Aurielle are both on studies this weekend too.”
“Seriously, don’t worry about it,” I assured her one last time. “Alex and I were friends at one point. It will all be fine.”
Yasmin continued to apologize as we walked through the flower beds with baskets, collecting huge bunches of chrysanthemums, dahlias, roses, anemones, and a smattering of luscious greens. The garden smelled heavenly this morning, and birds and honeybees flittered around us as we worked.
Once we had everything we needed, Professor Tenella used a Floracantus on the flowers for freshness, and we drove to the ranch venue where the wedding would be held. A large, empty commercial fridge was waiting for us.
We spent the next few hours assembling bouquets, boutonnieres, table arrangements, and a massive garland to decorate the arch my aunt and Bryce would get married under. It was more than a two-person job, but with my magic twisting flowers together into perfect displays, we completed the task in a few hours.
We saved my aunt’s bouquet for last, and once done, we both sat back and admired it. “That is stunning, B,” Yasmin said.
“I don’t know if my aunt wanted a bouquet the size of Texas, but she’s getting one.” The arrangement was an explosion of whites, creams, pale pinks, and deep reds with a few pops of green, making it look like something from the cover of a bridal magazine.
“It pays to have a magical botanist for a niece, even if she doesn’t know about it.”
I laughed. “She’s going to wonder where I’ve secretly been harboring this florist talent all these years. I’m going to tell her I had some help from people at the academy, which is true. Thanks again, Yasmin. Couldn’t have done it without you.”
“You most certainly could have. I worked at a snail’s pace compared to you. Though I will say that the fern fronds I tucked into the garland really make the display pop.”
“Absolutely. I can’t believe tomorrow is the big day. And I want to hear all about your field studies project when you get back.” Before she had a chance to apologize again, I continued. “Speaking of field studies projects, guess who finally received their assignment?”
Yasmin looked up abruptly, a grin spreading over her face. “You’ve been holding on to that bombshell all day? I knew it was coming! Which affinity gave you an assignment?”
“It’s a study on defensive plants, and it’ll be occurring somewhere in Mount Shasta, I think.”
Yasmin’s eyes widened. “Really? They managed to find someone with a project on defensives to take on a student? You’re high rollin’, B.”
