It’s #BookQW and Fern is alone in the ‘crowd’ of nature!
More from Chapter 16:
Minutes later, Fern topped the rise. Across the shallow basin of open meadowland was a nice little pond about the size of hers, vegetation crowding the perimeter. At the far end of this islet, a grove of trees grew on a higher rocky outcrop. They looked like the oak and birch mix from the Isle of Giuthas. Lady Soila’s property was nice, but deserted. Not even a sign of a house. So where was Duffy?
She’d taken a few more steps along the path, debating whether to shout, when movement above the trees caught her eye. A figure in black was flying off. Not Duffy, but—
“Hey!” She began running. No, not after that ordeal. “Wait!”
“Fern! Over here.” Duffy trotted to meet her. “Everything’s set. You took so long, and Great-Gran had to leave. But she said the trade would suit her. She left this.” Duffy shoved a piece of paper at her. The words Filipendula ulmaria were scrawled across it.
“This is it? The ratna?”
“Yep. I told you whatever Sir Snap wanted, she wanted.” She rolled her eyes. “Old people are so competitive. Come on, she said you’d find it in her seed storage room.” Duffy gave a winning smile, pivoted and walked back the direction she’d come.
Fern stared after her. She’d never met anyone so on and off, so helpful one minute, so disappointing the next. But she followed. Her elusive ratna was within reach.
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Plant yourself in adventure with The Witch of the Meadows!
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On a personal note:
I left the mountains of Colorado and travelled the mountains and ravines of the sky!
Seriously, we saw some stunning clouds on my flight to Texas. The pilot called for bumpy weather but managed to avoid that as he offered us incredible views.
Ladybird Johnson’s heritage of roadside wildflowers are still putting on a show. I hope to visit one of the state parks to see more, but I’m enjoying the wildflowers near my parents’ house.
Gaillardia, or Blanket Flower
Lupine, or Bluebonnets
This pea-like seedpod promised more for next year!
Prairie Coneflower, or Mexican Hats
Have you viewed or planted any native plants this spring?
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