Whispers of Lavender

chamomile tea wrapped in her hands, staring wistfully at the lace curtain as it undulated with the morning breeze. The house had begun to feel lived in again,her suitcase wedged in

n't get him o

ia

the fields of lavender as if he were of the earth. She'd told herself this would be simple, c

y he'd loo

re never gone, n

like a

she had

his back as he hoisted baskets of lavender into a cart. His strides were slow, muscles straining in the sun, and for a moment she simply stared at

was,that

heart thudding in her ch

ready warm on her skin. She did not yell to him. She slowed instead, watching him wo

binding the bundles with

written back when it was harvest time, the one they'd joked

vender slipped from the bu

lently. "Still

lder. His eyes crinkled with that same

, standing up. "I didn't

hile you work

y being there to listen." He dried his hands

er ear. "Couldn't sleep. Thought I'd take some a

ed. "Come on, then.

hes of lavender hung upside down from wooden beam

achets, teas. Your grandmother ha

ips brushing against the tied stems.

about you every day. Had y

er throat cam

turned sooner,"

said gently. "You nee

e for a moment, the

"How to twist the stems just so, so they don't bruise. She said t

d. "Sounds

now. Just one row. See i

ed. Then

sted in the morning. Elias gave her a basket and a small blade.

u remember

hink

fully. The stems separated with a soft snap, their aroma intensifying.

ot saying much, but his pr

crease in his brow when he focused. The little scar on his chin from when they'd tr

aring," he

ing," she ret

ed. "Fai

nd Lila's arms ached in a pleasant manner. She mopped her

peaceful this

ont," Elias said. "It doesn

him. "Did you

faltered.

his tone took h

nk you would,

back," he said, taking a

dle of gold light, and Lila felt something in her chest

touch him

nce she'd returned, she d

felt