Page 2 of Bloom (Dating a Demigod #4)

Timber

I sighed as water trickled from my watering can to the soil of the fern hanging from my porch. Sure, I could enrich the dirt and grow my plants with a simple snap of my fingers, but something about caring for them by hand soothed my soul. Or at least, it usually did.

But today, and for the past couple of weeks, I just felt…

off. Like I had an itch at the back of my brain that I just couldn’t scratch.

At first, I thought it was my body signaling to me that it was time to move on.

Since I’d come to Earth from the Elysian Fields, I rarely stayed in one place longer than a few months.

It was impossible for someone to find what they were searching for if they weren’t actually moving and searching.

But for nearly a year, I’d called Rose Valley my home.

I was surrounded by beautiful rolling hills, rich soil, plenty of sunshine, and smiling faces when I went into town.

There was nothing here not to love. The only thing I was missing was the thing that brought me here in the first place, and that was love.

Like many other demigods, after hearing news that the sons of Poseidon, Hades, and Ares had found earthbound mates, I rushed here myself in hopes of finding the same.

And so, I traveled the world, helping the land and people who cared for it along the way, all while searching for my other half.

As much as I loved this area, I craved my soulmate more, and I knew it was time to move on.

But for some reason, the thought caused sourness in my stomach.

And that feeling is what kept me here for so long.

I emptied the rest of my water onto the beautiful red hibiscus flowers that lined my porch.

When I first moved into the rental home, the garden was neglected, lifeless, and shriveling.

With some tender loving care, I’d brought it back to full blooming glory.

I didn’t take the easy way out by using my gifts or powers.

There was something special about using patience and gentility to assist the earth to do what it does best. Seeing the flora reawaken and thrive was the greatest reward I could imagine.

But reviving flowers by hand took time. So why were these red petals now becoming more vibrant before my eyes? Why were they fully unfurling, nearly doubling in size? It wasn’t just the hibiscus; all of the plants surrounding me brightened, vibrating in the soil.

My ears perked at a crunching sound in the distance.

I looked towards the noise to find a blue pickup truck coming down my gravel drive.

I didn’t know anyone who drove that kind of vehicle.

I didn’t recognize the license plate or the face behind the windshield.

My brain didn't know this person, but my soul did.

It was the reason why the plants were celebrating; why my heart pounded in my chest, and my blood warmed as it raced through my veins. This was the reason I couldn’t bring myself to leave Rose Valley; my mate was not only here , but coming to me .

I looked down at my body and groaned before snatching off my daisy-printed apron and stashing it behind a bush.

Given the choice, I wouldn’t have picked to meet my eternal love while wearing my remaining gardening clothes - worn jeans and a plain gray t-shirt.

But I wasn’t about to step away to change.

Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t; my feet were rooted to the ground with anticipation.

The truck came to a stop as I wiped my palms across my thighs, hoping to clear away any lingering soil.

But when my gaze snapped up at the sound of a metal door closing, and my eyes landed on the man emerging from it, all of my worries disappeared, and my full attention was captured by a sight that shamed even the most beautiful gardens and blooms in the universe.

My mate stepped around the front of his truck and the world stopped spinning, frozen in awe.

The afternoon light danced across his sun-kissed skin, and glistened in his hair and eyes, both the color of freshly tilled earth.

His jaw was square and smooth, and his shoulders were broad and strong, shifting beneath his flannel shirt, unbuttoned enough to give a glimpse of his smooth, chiseled chest.

“Are you Timber?” he asked in a deep, warm voice, and my eyes widened in surprise. He not only came for me, but he knew my name.

My voice was quiet and breathy when I replied, “I am.”

“I was sent to you.”

I understood Fate worked in mysterious ways, but I never could have expected this. How was he sent? By a dream? A message from the gods themselves?

“By Chuck,” he finished, and my eyebrows furrowed.

Chuck? Who the hell is that? There’s no god named Chuck.

“From Wagner’s Farm and Feed.”

Oh, that Chuck.

“He said you’ve helped him out a lot with farming needs.”

It was true; when I first moved into the area, I walked into Wagner’s to check out the store’s seed selection.

But what I found was an aggravated customer griping at Chuck, claiming that the brand of fertilizer he’d recommended didn’t work as advertised.

Poor Chuck, an older and even tempered man, was quickly becoming overwhelmed, so I stepped in and offered the customer some advice, while Chuck offered him a discount.

Thankfully, the man left satisfied, and remained a loyal customer.

I became friends with Chuck, and visited him often to share tips and tricks, and give advice on new products.

I enjoyed his company as well as being surrounded by his plants and supplies.

Plus, his wife often visited the store with delicious homemade goodies, which was a huge perk.

“And he said he thought you could help me too.”

“Of course I can!” I was more than willing to do anything I could for my mate.

His happiness and peace were now my priorities.

But I worried he may have misunderstood when his eyebrow flicked up slightly.

“I don’t mean that in an arrogant way, like of course I can, I know everything.

” Oh good, now he’s going to think I’m an idiot.

“ Well, I do know a lot about plants. But really I meant that of course I’d help you.

I’ll do anything you need.” And now I just sound creepy.

I took a deep breath and ran my hand through my curls, wishing I’d just be swallowed up by the dirt I loved so much.

My mate scrubbed his palm across his lips, presumably to keep from laughing (who could blame him?) before stretching it out to me. “I really appreciate it. I’m Jersey, by the way.”

“Jersey,” I repeated as my heart beat faster.

I slipped my hand into his, and an electric jolt skittered up my arm.

He must have felt it too, judging by the way his gaze snapped to our interlocked fingers.

He didn’t pull away, and intrigue painted his handsome features.

He couldn’t know what it meant, but it was his soul’s first spark of recognition for its mate.

I could hold onto his hand and stare at him all day, but I knew there was a reason beyond divine intervention that he sought me out. I relished the last few moments of contact before he let my palm go, and I asked, “What can I help you with?”

All traces of intrigue and mirth left his face, and were replaced by worry.

“It’s my crops; they’re dying. I’ve tried fertilizer, compost, installing a new irrigation system - no matter what I do, nothing helps.

I’ve never seen damage like what is destroying my land.

It looks… burnt. Here, I took a picture. ”

He retrieved his cell phone from his pocket and showed me a photograph of a large black patch of ground. I ran a dozen different scenarios through my head, but couldn’t come up with an explanation. But I would stop at nothing to solve the puzzle. “Can I see it in person?”

“Absolutely.” Jersey rushed to the passenger side of his truck and opened the door before letting out a long sigh and shaking his head. “I’m sure you didn’t mean now . I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to show up and drag you away from what you’re doing. I-”

“Now’s good,” I interrupted with a shrug, and a dazzling smile overtook Jersey’s lips. I climbed into the truck, and he closed the door behind me. It didn’t matter what I’d been doing; nothing was more important than helping my mate.

Jersey

I couldn’t believe how kind Timber was; he knew nothing more than my name and that I had a problem, and he was willing to help. He didn’t have a clue who I was, but he got into my truck without a second thought, handing over his trust.

Granted, I didn’t know much about him, either; he could just as easily be a danger to me.

I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing at the thought.

Even if it hadn’t been for Chuck’s glowing review of Timber, I would instinctively know that I could trust him.

I had an immediate connection to him like I’d never experienced.

I wanted him in my space, I wanted his company, and I wanted his help above anyone else’s.

It was a feeling I didn’t understand, but couldn’t ignore.

And it wasn’t just because the man was drop dead gorgeous, though it certainly didn’t hurt.

He had thick, dark, shoulder length curls, and beautiful hazel eyes.

His features were soft, though the stubble across his upper lip and chin gave him a touch of masculinity.

He was tall like me, and although his frame was much slimmer, he exuded quiet strength.

“Thank you again for coming with me,” I told him, wanting not only to fill the silence, but just to speak with him. “I really do appreciate you.”

“Your farm is very important to you,” he surmised, and I nodded.