I tucked the last peony seed into the tray and smoothed soil over the top. I started humming along with the radio as I held my hand over the tray. My magic poured over the seeds, and I felt them burst. Their roots sank down into the dirt as the green shoots surged upward.

The sprouts stretched higher, grew thicker, and leaves began to pop out and unfurl, one by one. Before long, lush, green plants filled the tray. I continued to pour my magic in, ready to make them bloom, when I felt something wrong. I frowned and halted my magic.

I ran my hand lightly over the tops of the plants, searching. They all shifted toward my hand, as if wanting to touch me, but I was looking for the problem that called out to me.

It didn't take long for me to find it. My magic felt it, sure, but I could see it clear as day, too. There was an empty spot among the sea of green, barely visible through all the lush growth.

"Your poor thing," I murmured as I reached down to scoop out the seed that hadn't grown.

I looked at it in my palm. I could tell this one wasn't going to make it without special care. Even my abilities had their limits. I couldn't rush the hand of nature when something was this sickly. I would have to take my time and give it careful doses of magic.

"I'll take care of you, don't worry," I crooned.

I grabbed one of my spare pots from a shelf and filled it with soil. I gently tucked the seed inside the dirt and set the pot on the windowsill. I would tend to it once I finished with the others. I gave the pot a wink and turned back to my flat of peonies. Moments later, flowers cheerfully burst from the plants. Finished with this flat, I moved it to the side and grabbed the next.

I repeated my earlier performance and watched in satisfaction as plants burst out of the soil, almost simultaneously. I smiled with the joy of it. Working my magic always did that to me.

Finished, I picked up the trays and moved them to the greenhouse. After I set them down, I headed back out, but stopped in the doorway and looked outside, tilting my face up toward the warm sun.

My eyes were only open a tiny sliver, but movement to the right still caught my attention. Something prowled among the dense grass in the wild field next to my family's orchard. I froze in place, not wanting to make any sudden movements. But then I saw blue eyes glow brightly from low in the grass and I grinned.

I knew those eyes. I saw them peer out from Sophie's all the time. The wind rustled the grass, revealing a cougar crouched down low. I had never seen her when she was in her shifted form before, but I knew it was her. My grin grew as I knelt down and put my hand on the ground.

The cougar stiffened as the grass shifted and parted flat before her, revealing her hiding spot. She stalked forward. I quickly wrapped the blades of grass around her paw. With a surprised hiss, the cat leapt straight up out of the grass. I let the stalks all fall back to their normal position.

I chuckled as Sophie tilted her head, studying the oddly behaving plants. As she stared, I made them lean to the left, then the right, faster and faster. Her head followed the dance then the cougar stumbled slightly. She shook her head. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Am I making you dizzy?" I cheerfully called out to her.

Her ears pricked up and she looked at me. She let out a high-pitched squeak, and I laughed even louder. I'd never heard what sort of sound a cougar made, but that hadn't been what I expected. A roar, perhaps. Definitely not something that sweet.

I grinned and made the grass reach out and tickle her underbelly. She jumped back, then immediately pounced on the grass, watching it intently. I made the plants to her right move, and she smashed them with her paw. The ones a foot in front of her moved and she pounced forward to slam her other paw down there. I did it again to the ones on her left.

She kept smashing out her right foot, then her left foot, as she tried to catch the grass. Her tail whipped back and forth, and her ears were up as her head darted around, looking for her next target. I laughed again, and she gave another cute chirp, yet she didn't stop her vigilant search for errant blades of grass.

Suddenly, she stopped the game and lifted her head and looked at me. No, not at me. At something behind me. I turned around and saw Pappy heading toward me. I looked back and disappointment surged through me when I saw she had disappeared. When I turned around to greet my grandfather, he raised a bushy brow.

"Did I interrupt playtime?" he asked with a hearty chuckle.

I scratched the back of my neck and gave him a lopsided smile. "Yeah, I might've gotten a little distracted."

"Was that Sophie?" my grandfather asked curiously.

"Yeah, how did you know?"

"You grandmother sees her running around a lot, that's all."

"I didn't realize she ran through here that often."

"All the time, apparently."

I tilted my head to the side. "Huh."

I made my way back to the work shed and briefly wondered why she didn't come say hi if she was always around. I shook the thought away and walked back to the shed, my grandfather following along behind me.

I looked over my shoulder and asked, "So, what're you doing out here?"

The work shed my grandmother loaned me when I started my landscaping business was on the orchard's property, of course, but it was far away from the production workshop where my grandfather spent his time making jam and jelly.

"Ah, y'know, I don't see you as much now that you're not delivering my goods. I figured I'd come see that handsome mug of yours."

"I really am something, aren't I?" I said with a cheeky grin. "I don't know how the town is going to cope without me making the rounds anymore."

My grandfather let out a hearty chuckle. "I'm pretty sure they'll get on just like they did before you came to help me and Petunia, but with an empty hole in their hearts. Speaking of, how's the landscaping business treating you so far? Worth giving up the glory of jam delivery?"

"I don't think anything will ever replace hauling around your jam day in and out, but it's been going really well, actually. I've been getting a lot of work, most of it thanks to Maddox."

"The Shepherds' boy?"

"The very one."

"Ah, yeah, I heard he moved back to Fayoak. Good kid."

I snorted a little. Maddox was a good five years older than me, but everyone was a kid to Pappy. I moved over to my desk and took a seat, pulling the pot with the sick peony seed toward me. My grandfather leaned against my desk and peered down the bridge of his nose to get a look.

"Whaddya got there?"

"Bum seed I found while I was growing some flats."

"Why not just throw it out?"

"I would never."

I protectively circled my hands around the pot and moved it farther away from him. This seed might have a long struggle ahead, but I would never abandon something simply because it was difficult. It would be even more worth it in the end when I finally got to see the beautiful bloom of the red peony that was currently stuck inside the seed.

My grandfather let out a low whistle and held his hands in the air. "I swear, you and Petunia are so protective over your plants."

I chuckled and gently touched the potting soil. I let a small trickle of magic flow from my fingers and slip beneath the dirt to wrap protectively around the seed. It trembled slightly, then relaxed. I could feel the tiny crack in its shell, then the hint of a root easing into the soil. I let out a satisfied sigh. That would be enough for today. I smiled proudly as I placed the pot on my windowsill where it could drink in the sun.

Pappy looked at the pot of soil with interest, then shook his head when he didn't see anything different from when I'd picked it up.

"They're worth protecting, Pappy. They give us so much. Not only are they beautiful, they—"

My grandfather groaned. "You are your grandmother, I swear. I don't need to hear the 'Earth's bounty giveth' speech again—I've heard it from Petunia a million times."

I laughed. "Alright, alright. I'll spare you."

A flicker of movement off in the distance caught my attention. I recognized the cougar I had been playing with earlier. Sophie. A grin found its way to my face. I briefly wondered if she would come back, but to my disappointment, she darted back into the forest. My smile faltered when moments later I saw a slightly larger cougar chase after her.

I hadn't realized Sophie was out playing with another shifter, a cougar, nonetheless. My mind immediately shifted toward thoughts of it being her "mate" as shifters said. The idea made my frown deepen. She hadn't said anything. I could see her not mentioning it, I suppose. She didn't owe me an explanation just because we talked now and then. And it would certainly explain why she resisted every flirty smile I sent her way.

My grandfather suddenly leaned to the side, trying to get a look at my face. "What's with the frowny-frown? Something wrong?"

I shook my head and pasted my grin back into place. "Nothing. Nothing at all."

* * *

After my grandfather had left, I buried myself in work. It was only after I straightened the shed and had grown three flats of plants that didn't need to be grown, that I realized I was beyond restless.

I stopped myself before I started a fourth flat and sighed in relief when I heard my phone ring. I looked around my workshop with furrowed brows. I didn't quite remember where I last left it. I followed the sound and it led me to the potting soil. One of the bags was ringing. Sure enough, my phone sat atop the dirt.

"When did I . . .?"

I shook my head as I quickly fished the phone out from the bag. I must've dropped it in there somehow when I was potting the peony seed. Sometimes I got a little carried away when working with the plants. I glanced down at the display and saw Maddox's name on the screen. I carefully brushed the dirt off and answered.

"Hey, Maxwell, how's it going?" My grin was so cheeky, I knew I was lucky he couldn't see me.

A resigned sigh greeted me on the other end of the line. "You're never going to let me live that down, are you?"

"Not a chance, my friend," I said with a laugh. Maddox had made it his mission to screw up my name on every occasion possible back when we first met because he thought I was pursuing his darling Rose.

I might have flirted with her a few times, that was true. The woman was gorgeous. It was all harmless, though. From day one, the look in her eyes and the way she held herself told me that she was a woman in love with someone else.

"You'll run out of names someday."

"I'll just start smashing letters together at that point," I replied breezily. "Anyway, how's Mrs. Shepherd doing?"

"Oh, you know, the usual. Had a moment of panic after she accidentally told a customer at The Peach that they needed to make sure they got a rain slicker or else they were going to get drenched."

"That's not that big of a deal. Anyone can check a forecast, right?"

"It wasn't in the forecast. It was just a pocket of rain where the customer was headed, and Rose knew they would be working outside." Maddox sighed. "Plus, it was Nadine."

"Nadine?" I asked, confused.

"The sister of Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dum."

"Oh, the guys who shot you?"

Maddox was a shifter like Sophie, and he had been shot by some visiting human hunters while out running in his panther form. Hunting wasn't allowed in Fayoak, for obvious reasons. The hunters had gotten off light because we tried to keep our magical natures quiet. The last thing we wanted was a media circus where they would swear up and down they shot at a panther but found a naked human man instead. Even if the media took it as a joke . . .

"Yeah. Nadine has been doing community service with them here."

I bristled at the thought of them still being in town. I hadn't realized they were still here. I was sure they wouldn't go hunting again, but I still worried. I'd better warn Sophie, just in case.

"She came back to The Peach with questions after she got rained on," Maddox continued. "She gave Rose the third degree and started asking about the strange things she's been seeing in Fayoak."

"How did Rose handle it?"

"Not well. She was a nervous wreck, convinced she had single-handedly jeopardized the safety of Fayoak and everyone in it." Maddox chuckled. "Thankfully, I calmed her down."

"Good, good. I'm sure you guys are used to this sort of thing by now though, right? I mean, Fayoak as a whole." I shrugged even though he couldn't see me. "What's one human from out of town asking a few questions, y'know?"

"That's the thing. It's rare that people actually ask. They're too busy doubting themselves and what they've seen or heard to even— What? No, baby, I don't think so. Okay, fine, I'll ask," Maddox paused, then cleared his throat. "Rose wants to know if you're ever going to deliver to The Peach again. It's been over a month and she thinks the current guy is, and I quote, 'so stuffy.'"

I let out a sputtering laugh. Maddox sounded so stilted. We might be on good terms these days, but he was still a little prickly when it came to Rose. That was probably just Maddox, though. For a guy that couldn't see his mate right in front of his face for years, he sure was possessive of her.

"Tell her I'll still drop by sometimes, but I am, sadly, no longer the delivery guy." A grin found its way to my face before I added, "Oh, also, tell her that I miss seeing her during my morning deliveries."

There was a brief pause. He was quiet, and I could practically hear the irritation surging through him.

"He said no," Maddox finally said to Rose.

I burst into laughter again. He was easy to rile, but I was more than happy to take the cheap shots.

"Yeah, yeah, alright, on to business." Maddox's voice took on a professional clip.

I choked back my laughter but couldn't get rid of the grin. "What's the news, boss?"

"I've got a big project lined up. Just down the road from you, actually."

"One of the farms?" I moved over to my old work-table-turned-desk and flipped open the spiral notebook I used as a schedule. I imagined the chaotic scribblings on notebook paper would drive Maddox insane if he saw them, but it worked for me.

"Yeah, it's actually the Galinsky place," Maddox replied.

"Galinsky?" I didn't even bother to hide the excitement in my voice. "Sophie's renting their guest house, isn't she?"

"Sure is. They must really want to keep her there because they're overhauling a lot of the property. Major landscaping needed. You game? You'll make bank on this one."

I smiled to myself. It wasn't the money that made me excited for this job, although it would be welcome. But even if Maddox had said we were doing it pro bono, there was no way I would've ever turned it down. Not only did I want the business, but it gave me the perfect opportunity to poke and prod at the mystery that was Sophie Addison.

"Do you know what they're looking to get done?"

"They said it was all up to you because they've quote, 'seen what Petunia can do to an orchard and know that whatever you do will be great,'" Maddox paused and chuckled to himself. "It's always weird when people call your grandmother by her name, by the way. It's just too soft."

"What should it be, then? I'm pretty sure people would've frowned if her parents had named their little girl 'Ego Crusher' or something."

"Nah, I've always thought she'd make a good Wilhelmina or, I don't know, Helen. Never met a Helen without a vicious side."

I shook my head with a laugh. "Look, back to the Galinsky place. If I'm hearing you right, they're giving me the go-ahead to plant whatever?"

"That's right. They're okay with whatever you think's best. Something low-maintenance, though."

A grin worked its way across my face. "I've already got some ideas."

"Great. I'm sure they'll be impressed with whatever you do. Talk to you later?"

"Yep, talk to you later, Michael," I said.

"I'm pretty sure you've already used that one, Alfonse," Maddox replied before laughing and hanging up.

I immediately got to work on growing the flowers for Sophie's place, despite not even knowing the dimensions of her beds. I was too inspired to wait. As I worked, I chose purely by instinct and quickly noticed a pattern forming when I went to pick out the seeds.

Each time I moved to my stores, I couldn't help but reach for the peonies. I thought back to the flowers I grew earlier and chuckled. I had been growing a lot of peonies lately. Each time, I picked purple, followed by a few reds here and there.

They were colors that reminded me of her. Sophie. Nothing fit her better than purple, the color of royalty. The dignity in the way she carried herself made me think of her as a queen. The few red peonies I grew were tucked in the middle, a bright spot among the sea of velvety dark purple.

I smiled to myself as I looked down at them. I brushed my fingers over one of the bright red petals as I thought of our dinner at Two Steps. I felt some small sense of victory for that one. I had finally gotten her to sit down and speak with me for longer than a flirty quip or snatched moment.

It had amused me to no end when she made a point of buying our dinner at Two Steps. That was a victory of her own. I could see the triumph in her eyes, and I had liked it more than she would ever know.

When I first saw her at that barbecue, I thought I had seen the most beautiful creature in existence. Dark hair, pale skin, red lips. She was Snow White, and I wanted to be her prince. A happily-ever-after wasn't in the cards for me, but I would take a happily-for-now.

My thoughts drifted to the image of that large cougar chasing after her. In an instant, my good mood turned sour. That was my warning—I was getting in too deep. I was setting myself up for hurt—something I had promised myself years ago that I wouldn't ever do again.

I could flirt. I could try to unravel her mystery as much as I wanted, but there was nothing permanent to be had. Not from me, and apparently, not from her, either.

With a sigh, I shook my head and tried to clear the elusive cat lady from my mind. But even as I worked, I couldn't suppress the excitement that ran through me at the knowledge that I'd soon see her again.