Rason & Eliza - Cee Bowerman Page 0,5
fit worthy of a cranky toddler until I’d finally relented and taken her where she wanted to go.
“How is it that I talk to you all the time and I still don’t know your name?”
“I’m Eliza.” The woman stuck her small hand out toward me, her blue eyes twinkling.
“Rason Harper.” I shook her hand and held onto it a second longer than was necessary. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“I’ve known you for years.” She laughed softly. “Sort of.”
“Yeah, sort of.” I nodded.
“You went away for a while and I thought I’d never see you again,” she admitted. “You were gone for years.”
“Years? Oh, right - the six years I was in the army. You noticed I wasn’t coming around?”
“I noticed,” Eliza whispered, a blush staining her cheeks.
I was excited that she’d recognized me, but the fact that she’d paid enough attention to realize I’d left town was enough to have me puff out my chest and strut around like I owned the place.
“Can you show me where to find books on how to grow fruit?”
“Fruit?”
“Specifically gấc fruit from Vietnam,” I explained. “I’ve got a vine started, but it hasn’t flowered yet and it’s been almost six months.”
“Is it outdoors? Do you have male and female vines? Have you pollinated the flowers yet?”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” I laughed. “Can I borrow a pen and paper? I think I’m going to need to take some notes here.”
“I’m sorry. I ramble and talk really fast when I’m nervous.”
“I make you nervous?”
“A little.” Eliza smiled shyly. “Come with me.”
I followed her down the long row we were on toward the shelves that lined the back wall. There was a hidden chair in the corner that looked inviting with a table and lamp beside it. It looked like a scene from someone’s grandma’s house, and I wanted to sit there and read for a while.
“I never knew there was a chair back here.”
“Because you always go directly to fiction. You never roam around.”
I nodded, realizing she was right and happy that she’d noticed me. “I guess I should explore more, but I don’t need books. I think you’ve got all the information I need in your head.”
“I have a little garden. Okay, a big garden,” she said with a sigh. “It’s turning more into a farm, to be honest, but yeah, I grow things and I research.”
“Can I take you out for a coffee sometime? I’d like to get some input on how to grow things and get to know you better. I’ll bring a pad and pencil so I can take notes.”
“Sure.” Eliza smiled. “I’ll give you my card at the register. It’s got my phone and email address on it so you can get in touch with me. Or you can call the store. I’m almost always here.”
“Rason?” I heard Robin yell from a few rows over.
“Shit. I forgot she was here.”
“I forgot you had a girlfriend,” Eliza muttered. “Oh my God.”
“No!” I whisper shouted. “It’s not like that. Let me take you to coffee and explain, okay?”
“Yeah, okay.” Eliza looked worried, and I wondered if I’d lost my chance.
“There you are.” Robin huffed. “Are you done yet? I’m ready to go to the mall.”
“I told you, I’m not taking you to the mall. I’m taking you to your car and I’m going to my parents’,” I growled at Robin. I took a deep breath and looked back at Eliza. She held out a book to me and I took it from her with a nod. “Thank you.”
“This will show you the basics of pollination and give you an idea of how to tell the difference between the male and female of most plants,” Eliza explained as she turned to walk back to the front. “I’ll be at the counter when you’re ready to check out.”
“Is this about that stupid plant you’re growing for your mom?” Robin said with no effort to hide her disdain. “That’s why you insisted on this crappy place?”
“Robin,” I leaned my head back and looked at the ceiling. “I’ve had about enough of your shit.”
“What?” she hissed.
“Let’s just go.” I shook my head and left her behind so I could check out, hoping I’d have another minute alone with Eliza.
When I got to the counter, Eliza was there helping a customer. I waited patiently, glancing back to see if Robin had followed me. Finally, it was my turn, and I handed Eliza the book she’d found for me.
“You said gấc fruit? I’ll do some research and see if I