Organically Yours: Sanctuary, Book Five by Abbie Zanders (classic books for 11 year olds .TXT) 📗

tuxedoed man. The man lifted his hand, and a younger man appeared, also wearing a tuxedo. Tina wondered if it was the official uniform of the Goddess.

“Escort our guests to the Danann room, please.”

The younger man’s eyes widened slightly, then he nodded and turned to them. “Follow me, please.”

They were led to an elevator, one that required a private key. A short while later, they exited on another floor and entered a balconied alcove overlooking the valley.

“The Danann room? That’s an unusual name, isn’t it?” Tina mused quietly.

“I’m guessing it’s a nod to ancient Celtic mythology,” Doc said. “The Tuatha Dé Danann were a supernatural race, often associated with the Fae.”

That made sense. The place was called the Celtic Goddess after all.

“More name-based etymology?”

“Sort of. I grew up hearing the legends and myths.”

“I thought you said your family was from Cornwall.”

“My father’s family is from Cornwall. My mother’s family is from Killarney,” Doc replied with a wink.

“Boy, when you take a girl on a date, you really go all out, don’t you?” Tina murmured, stepping closer to the glass.

It was a stunning view. The sky was a dark blue, the forested mountains washed in silvery highlights, the lights of the valley twinkling like jewels.

“It’s breathtaking, isn’t it?” said an unfamiliar female voice from behind her. “No matter how many times I see it, I never get tired of it.”

Tina turned to find a petite, beautiful woman who looked like she could have been a goddess herself.

“You must be Tina,” the woman said. “Welcome to the Goddess. I’m Lexi Callaghan, and this is my husband, Ian.”

“Glad you could make it,” the tall man beside her said with a nod, then extended his hand to Doc.

Tina looked questioningly at Doc, who seemed determined not to meet her eyes. He hadn’t mentioned anything about a double date, but she certainly wasn’t going to complain.

“Please, sit down,” Lexi said. Only then did Tina notice that the table was set for six. “Aidan had some business to take care of, but he and Mary will be joining us shortly.”

The man named Ian smirked. “Uh-huh. Business.”

Lexi’s cheeks pinked slightly. “Tina, let me just say, I loved everything, but I think the vanilla peaches were my favorite. What was that, schnapps? Though there was something else in there, too.”

Tina blinked, feeling a bit lost. “I’m sorry?”

“The basket of goodies you gave Maggie.”

“Oh, uh, yes,” Tina said, replaying Lexi’s question in her mind now that she had proper context. “Schnapps and a touch of whipped cream vodka and some natural flavors.”

“I knew it! Absolutely brilliant. The moment I tasted it, I had visions of a flambé. The peaches would pair well with vanilla bean ice cream and some toasted coconut, I think. A perfect summer dessert.”

“Yes, I suppose they would,” Tina said, feeling more confused by the moment.

Lexi turned to Doc accusingly. “You didn’t tell her, did you?”

Doc shook his head.

“Tell me what?”

“I work here,” Lexi said to Tina. “In the kitchen. I’d love to incorporate some of your specialties on the menu.”

Before Tina could respond, Lexi said, “Oh good. Here are Aidan and Mary now.”

Two more people joined them in the private dining area. The man had golden-brown hair and exotic eyes of an unusual shade that reminded Tina of fresh honey. Like Lexi, he seemed slightly more than the average guy, radiating an aura of wealth and power. Tina, who didn’t typically have an issue with self-confidence, suddenly felt way out of her league. Thankfully, the woman with him seemed far more approachable, especially when Tina learned she ran a flower shop in Birch Falls.

Over the course—or seven courses, as it were—of an absolutely fantastic dinner, Tina learned that Aidan worked for the Goddess, too, though he didn’t come out and say exactly what it was that he did. She assumed it was in some sort of legal capacity when Lexi explained that they were interested in contracting with Obermacher Farms.

“You mean, like you did with Maggie?” Tina asked.

“Not exactly like that, but similar,” Lexi confirmed.

“As wonderful as that sounds, I’m afraid that won’t be possible.” Tina’s heart felt like it was breaking all over again as she explained that Obermacher Farms had accrued significant debt and that her brothers were anxious to sell to an out-of-state developer.

Strangely, they didn’t seem discouraged by that.

“We know about that,” Aidan said. “But The Mill and everything in it is yours, is it not?”

“Yes, but as of two days ago, The Mill is out of business. There was a terrible fire, and the place was gutted.”

“We know about that, too,” Lexi said, surprising her. “As tragic as it was, The Mill can be rebuilt. It’s you we’re interested in contracting with, Tina.”

Again, Tina shook her head. “Even if I did rebuild, there’s the issue of sourcing. You can’t just swap one bushel for another. I spent years researching and experimenting, creating my own hybrids. That’s what makes my products unique. A new orchard would take years to become viable, and that’s assuming you could find the right land.”

“We wouldn’t need to start a new orchard,” said Aidan, tilting his head to the side. “As you said, you’ve already spent years perfecting yours.”

“Yes, but as I explained, Obermacher Farms is up on the auction block.” Realization dawned. “Are you saying that the Celtic Goddess might be interested in buying all of Obermacher Farms?”

It seemed like another thing just too good to be true. Tina didn’t dare hope.

“That’s exactly what we’re saying,” Aidan said.

“I don’t think you understand just how far in debt we are or how much land is involved. Unless, of course, you’re talking about breaking it up in parcels and purchasing only the orchards.”

“All of it. Your family’s lands are not only designated and zoned as prime agricultural, but the slopes and drainage are ideal for farming.”

Tina had come to terms with losing the family farm, but it would be preferable to have it remain a working farm in someone else’s hands than paved over and built up.

“My