I smiled. “How about a month? Will that work?”
“A whole month?” He nodded eagerly. “Thank you, flower lady!”
“My pleasure. Keep an eye out for me, will you, March? Make sure no one is coming?”
His head bobbed, and he turned away and crossed his arms like a tomb guard. I swept the area one more time to make sure there were no prying eyes around and called up my power.
His plants loved him, but they, as March had known, were nutrient deficient. They had plenty of light, plenty of water, and plenty of care, but March didn’t have access to good soil.
He only had what the ground provided, and with current farming and agricultural practices, as well as the human footprint, even the earth was deficient in nutrients. I sent a thread of power out and touched each plant, boosting the soil’s health and adding nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus where needed. Some needed more magnesium and sulfur than others, and so I spoke quickly to each plant until they were all well fed and satisfied.
When I called my magic back, the plants let out a collective sigh, their leaves stretching away from me and toward the sky. I smiled and shook the excess magic from my hands.
March was still facing away when I hopped out of the bed of his truck.
“All done. You may see some rapid growth and even some odd blooming. No need to worry. They haven’t been properly fed in a while, and all they’re doing is adjusting.”
He turned around and peered inside the truck, a wide smile turning his lips up when he spotted how green and glossy his plants were.
“Thank you, lovely Evie!”
“You’re welcome, March.” I fished inside my purse for another twenty and handed it to him. “I want you to get something for you to eat tonight. Do you have somewhere to cook?”
March stared at the bill in my hand. “I can’t. You keep it. I have enough.”
I took his hand and pressed the bill into his palm. “I insist. Besides, I should be paying you for letting me hang out with your plants.”
His eyes widened, and he shoved the bill in his pocket. “Th—thank you. I’m going to get some beans tonight and make a big pot! It will last me a whole week!”
“You do that, March.” I gathered my basket and patted him on the back. “See you next week.”
“Okay, lovely flower lady!”
I left him standing over his plants, cooing to them.
An hour later,I waited by the front entrance, feeling nervous as a cat. I’d gotten what I needed for home as well as for the shop, but March’s box had me antsy. I shouldn’t have taken it fromhim, but if anyone knew what he had, they’d kill him for it. At least with me, I’d have a fighting chance if someone came after it.
Ash was the first to return. His canvas bag was filled to the brim with dried fruit, herbs, and fresh greens. Tess came next, her bag filled with fresh bread and baked goods.
Moira didn’t show up for another ten minutes, still swatting at those bees.
Her bag was empty.
“Uh. Moira?”
She made a disgusted noise. “I can’t pick anything up! Every time I do, my gloves stick to it! I am walking flypaper!” Moira huffed and threw her bag down. “I’m never making another bet for as long as I live.”
The bees’ buzzing rose in volume.
“Oh! Piss off, bees!”
Ash snickered. Tess dug into her bag and offered Moira a scone. I turned so the vampire wouldn’t see my grin.
“How am I supposed to eat that, Tess?” Moira screeched. “Hoooowwwww?”
“You take that hood off and eat it,” Tess explained, like Moira was a recalcitrant toddler.
“I’m scared of getting stung,” Moira grumbled. “Can we go home now?”
