Chapter 64

[Evelyn’s POV]

Some people may find it strange, but I found the open-market to be one of my favorite places to be. Sure, most people saw heading to the market as just another chore. However, when it came to the raw agricultural section, I saw it as a place of endless possibilities.

In that instance, I was there with the hopes of figuring out a whole new tea combination that I could use to replace the one that had been previously tampered with.

Looking around, I was glad to see a bunch of wooden stalls and multiple stands all filled with either farm fresh produce or organic products.

It was a gorgeous day and it was obvious that I wasn’t the only one who enjoyed this particular setting. Many other people were out and about, filtering in and around the stalls with their lists in hand. I couldn't help the childish smile that it brought to my face.

This is my happy place. Aside from the greenhouse, this is the place that makes me feel the most at peace...Okay, I may also add being next to Alexander to that list as well.

Maybe one day he and I could explore this place and properly spend the day together. Truthfully, I wasn’t entirely sure where Alexander stood on the whole agricultural standpoint. The man was a highly skilled strategist but I had no idea if he had any interest when it came to farming or working with plants.

It was one of the very few places where I didn’t feel so self-conscious or judged. I was amongst like-minded people and I knew that I was safe.

If I ever had to choose between a farmers market and having to go to some black-tie event, there was truly no competition. As I glanced around in search of some of the herbal seed vendors, I was quick to notice that a majority of the people who were shopping around were staff members of other packs.

It was no wonder why I always felt so at home in a place like this. When I was younger, some of the staff would constantly pull me along to places like this. They were the ones who taught me how to bargain with the vendors as well as decipher between decent and top-quality materials.

I’d spent countless hours digging through crop barrels which always explained why I returned home covered in dirt at times. Isabella and Samantha would never fail to point out my disheveled appearance or comment about how I should just move into the stables if I insisted on always walking around with dirt on my clothes and mud on my shoes.

It was no wonder why I’d gained the unwarranted label as the ‘wild-child’.

Yeah, but now none of them can say anything.

Thanks to their failed attempt at trying to humiliate me in front of all the other neighboring packs, I was fairly certain that I wasn’t going to hear from them any time soon.

Between that and knowing Fiona was no longer going to be an issue around the pack, I felt positively light on my feet. Then again, I was probably just lightheaded from the last remaining waves of the Belladonna.

Nonetheless, I gradually moved along through the market, happily taking my time and checking out the newest produce and products available. The first flower stand that came into view instantly grabbed my attention.

They had fresh hibiscus and jasmine which already sparked a bunch of ideas for a new tea mixture. If I found that either option was taking too long, then I could always keep it simple with homemade chamomile tea instead.

“Any recommendations?” a deep voice spoke.

My body went still as I cautiously turned my head to find a rather handsome stranger glancing at me. I couldn’t fathom how green his eyes were. They were like two emeralds glistening in the sun. He offered me a kind smile.

“I’m sorry, were you speaking to me?” I asked, dubiously.

His grin widened to reveal a perfect set of teeth. He let out a healthy laugh that made my stomach churn with nervous curiosity.

“Yes,” he confirmed. “I saw you looking over that hibiscus with such intent. I figured you must be someone who really knows their stuff when it comes to flowers and plants.”

There was no stopping the blush that burned across my cheeks.

“Oh...Um, maybe a little,” I offered weakly. “Are you, uh, interested in hibiscus?”

“Not particularly,” he confessed. “I’m mainly looking for a particular plant that holds a lot of medical properties that I can blend with a lot of other herbs if need be.”

I instantly parked up at the poor guy’s dilemma.

“In that case, I think you should consider trying out chamomile,” I told him. “It possesses the medical abilities to relieve stress and tension in the muscles. It also happens to help with digestive issues such as bloating and indigestion. It’s considered an anti-inflammatory and aids with difficulties falling asleep.”

The man stood blankly at me with his mouth slightly ajar.

Way to go, Evelyn. You might as well have just scared him off with your know-it-all mouth.

My self-consciousness was creeping in at a ridiculously fast pace. Suddenly, the guy broke out into a series of giggles that made me feel all the more mortified.

“I’m sorry, didn’t you just say that you ‘a little’ when it came to this sort of stuff?” he laughed.

There was a light-heartedness to his tone that allowed the tension in my muscles to ease.

“Well, I...Um—”

The guy ran a hand through his slightly disheveled hair and gave me an honest look. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable just now. Honestly, I think anyone who has the ability to rattle off a whole list of effects for any flower or herb is nothing short of remarkable.”

“Oh, well, I don’t know if I’d say ‘remarkable’—”

“I would,” he affirmed. “My name is Michael, by the way.”

He extended his hand out for me to take in which I graciously did.

“It’s nice to meet you, Michael. I’m Evelyn. I’ll be honest, I may have been a bit modest just now in underplaying my knowledge when it comes to plants. I happen to have a very deep interest and passion in Agriculture. One of my ongoing hobbies right now is working with different types of flowers to create purposeful teas,” I explained.

That celebrity-style smile came right back.

“That's incredible. So, is that what you’re doing here now?” he questioned.

I gave a nod and shrugged my shoulders back. “Pretty much. There was a bit of a mishap with the last batch I had going and now I’m sort of in the process of creating a new one.”

He looked as though he was genuinely interested in my work. “That’s interesting. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”

“You too.”

“Yeah, I think I’ll check out that chamomile you mentioned before.”

Michael headed off in his own direction, leaving me still somewhat dazed in my tracks.

Wow...Why couldn’t I have met someone like him when I was younger?

God. It was such a juvenile thought to have, considering the fact that I was freaking married. It wasn’t as though I was checking him out, but it really sparked a kind of intrigue in me to get to talk to someone who was interested in plants.

Having that brief moment with Micahel made me realize just how devoid my life was when it came to having friends beyond the household.

Whatever, Evelyn, it doesn't matter. It’s not like you’re going to ever see him again anyway. Plus, do you really think Alexander would take kindly to the idea of you spending time with another guy?