Flowers Everywhere
By the time she finished examining the columns, she had also found ladybugs, bats, ants, and beetles. She had never seen anything like it. The pictures were carved with care and each carving was unique in shape and size. One butterfly drew her attention. She moved closer but turned quickly when Jardan came back. As she turned her head, she could have sworn she saw the insect carving sparkle.
“Looking at the columns?”
“Yes, they are so unusual.”
Jardan smiled as though he had a secret he just was dying to tell but couldn’t. “My father had them specially constructed.”
“Why these animals?”
“They are pollinators. Each of those insects and birds help flowers spread and grow healthy.”
Callie looked at the massive flower garden. It was then she noticed butterflies and bees moving from blossom to blossom. A hummingbird zipped by. She smiled.
“I never knew they all did this. I mean I knew about bees.”
“Most people don’t.”
“Your family loves flowers.”
Jardan’s lips thinned, and he shuffled his feet. “Yes. We do. They hold a special place in our hearts. It is almost dinner. Mother wants to know if you’d like to stay for dinner. She has been wanting to meet you.”
“Meet me?” Callie turned to him in surprise.
“Yes, you and your mother are news around here. She has been wanting to meet the newest citizens of Shadowfort.”
Callie felt the heat rush into her face. Being reminded that she was the outcast ruined the fun she had been having. She really wasn’t one of them.
“Yep, we’re the newbies.”
Jardan realized her embarrassment. “I’m sorry, Callie. There’s nothing wrong with being the new ones in town.”
Callie nodded. “I know. It’s just strange that everyone here has lived here their whole lives. You don’t have people moving in and out.”
“We like it here.” Jardan shrugged. “And as for people moving in, we don’t have any empty houses for them to move into.”
She had never realized that until that moment. He was right. There were no empty homes or ‘For Sale’ signs planted in yards. She could not think of a single one. Of course, they hadn’t needed one. They had moved in with Jasper Wingspur, the local deputy sheriff. He already had a house.
“Then what does Jasper mean by getting a bigger house? Is he planning on building?” Callie thought out loud.
“Yeah, that’s probably it.” Jardan began to look around. Something behind him got his attention. “You are staying for dinner, right?”
“Sure. I just need to call my mother.” Callie pulled out her new cellphone. She was still getting used to it. Her old phone, as well as her mother’s, did not work anywhere in or near Shadowfort. Jasper had gotten them new ones that looked like the newest touch screens on the market, though she had never heard of the brand – Dianthus.
Her mother quickly agreed. Callie could hear the delight in her voice that she was venturing out and making friends. Callie had spent most of the last month brooding in her room.
“She’s cool with it.” Callie smiled at Jardan who beamed.
“Great. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes.”
“Where’s your bathroom?” She felt herself blush again.
“Oh, come on. I’ll show you.”
He led her back inside through the large library. She was still in awe as she walked through it gazing at the books as though they were made of gold. Back in the foyer, he led her down the hall located behind the stairs. Tucked underneath the stairs was a door. He opened it.
“When you’re done, I’ll meet you in the foyer.”
Callie nodded her thanks. The bathroom was much bigger than she would have thought being under the stairs. Yes, the stairs were massive but not that big. There was the toilet as expected as well as a double-sink vanity. On the far wall were doors and drawers like a built in dresser. It was as though it was someone’s personal dressing room.
The whole room was done in red and gold. The walls were dark red with gold swirling around on it in random designs. Everything else such as the light switch plate were in a shiny black material. Callie had never thought of black as being a color that could be considered shiny or bright, but this black was.
She realized she was just standing there gaping at the unique room. Quickly, she finished her business and left. Jardan waited for her in the foyer like he promised.
He smiled as she walked toward him. She really did love it when he smiled. Her own smile faltered as she realized what she was thinking. No way! Not time to get interested in a boy.
“Mother has dinner waiting.” He led her into the room across from the library. It was a large living room with two couches that could easily sit four people and chairs spread out around the room along with small tables. Another large fireplace was on the far wall with a portrait above it. She stopped to look at it.
A man and a woman sat on the ground in clothes that appeared to be from the Victorian era. The woman was young with long black hair that hung over one shoulder and pooled on the ground. One long white streak flowed through it. Her eyes were bright and full of life. Her face was delicate as though the petal of a flower. Her lips were bright and red as they parted in a smile. Around her neck hung a necklace with a red rose pendant dangling from it. She wore a white dress and had her legs tucked up under her.
The man sitting behind her was dressed in a black formal outfit with a thin mustache. His arm was around her waist, and he looked at her instead of the painter. Around them was a garden bursting with flowers. Every possible color was displayed. It had to have been one of the most vibrant pictures Callie had ever seen. She could have sworn that if she reached out that she would have touched the delicate petals.
“Who are they?” Callie asked softly.
She jumped when Jardan answered behind her. “My parents.”
“Really? This painting seems like it was done during the Victorian era.”
“Yeah, they…uh…had a thing for dressing like the old days. Come on. Let’s eat.”
She followed him to the other end of the large room where a set of ornate doors were located. Carved into the dark wood were more butterflies and moths flying over a field of flowers. Callie raised an eyebrow. Jardan’s family really had a thing for flowers.