Following the sudden death of his father, Lawrence "Law" Crow must not only comfort his bereaved mother, but also find the strength to continue running the family business, a local and beloved lavender farm in the mountains of northern California. At first, consumed with his own grief and struggling to find meaning in life, Law indulges in his vices, mainly by surrendering to his sexual urges with numerous men, all in a desperate battle to forget his pain and to end the emotional turmoil tearing him apart.<br><br>But when a stunningly handsome and passionate Spanish soccer player named Garbi suddenly crosses his path, Law discovers light in the possibility of love. Does Garbi have the ability to heal Law's shattered heart, provide him with purpose, and help him fully embrace the joy of living once again amidst the beautiful and fragrant lavender fields?

Lavender

The stand smelled of my mother’s perfume and the lavender soap. I stood staring into the shed as though it held a terrifying beast in its small depths.


“Mind if I fill a sack?” Brother Lucius asked.


A snapshot of my parents and I, taken by a regular customer, caught my attention. In the photo, we stood at the table in the field, my mother’s arms full of lavender bouquets. My father stood between us, an arm around each of our shoulders. We were smiling, happy. I’d come home from school for the summer and delved into the fields with abandon. My hair had grown wildly long and curly. My father’s hair was less unruly, but there was no mistaking our resemblance.


“I think I’m good,” Brother Lucius called from outside.


I put down the picture. “Fine,” I answered.


“You know we don’t charge you.” I heard my father’s voice, and saw him shaking hands with the first monks years ago when they’d first come to the farm.


Chapter 8