Grimoires and Where to Find Them Raconteur, Honor (read along books TXT) 📖

“Good.” I didn’t have time to run anything, but I was invested in making sure this worked out. My future with strawberries depended on it. “Did you find farms?”

“I did. I took Pam Pousson with me whenever we looked at a field.” Rupert’s face softened. “You know, the farming industry took a hit in the past five years, due to various problems. With a new product and funding, we can get the industry going again in several towns that are economically depressed. You keep saying you’re doing this for selfish reasons, but it will do a lot of good, too.”

I knew that. And it did make me happy to be able to help pull people out of a bad financial situation. My own money from my various inventions with Ellie were funding a lot of this, as it wasn’t fair to make Rupert pay for everything when it was my idea. He threw some of his money in too. And, of course, I had other investors who had thrown their hat in. It was a good seed to start with.

“How many farms are we contracted with right now?”

“Sixteen.”

My eyes bugged out of my head. “We don’t have enough seeds for sixteen farms!”

“Not yet. But as soon as we have any seeds at all, we divide them between the farms. Pam Pousson has them on a self-propagation program so they automatically seed as soon as they can. It’s quite brilliant, really. And by starting out small, if something goes wrong, it’s not too much of a loss. We can recover from it. She’s rotating her time between the farms and making sure they understand how to grow things properly.”

“She would.” I shook my head in amazement. “Well. No wonder you kept poking me about products. We might be in business sooner rather than later. Uh…let’s see, I’ve got strawberry shortcake ready. Try that first.”

He accepted the small dessert plate I handed him, cutting off a slice that included cake, strawberry, and whipped cream. Then he popped it into his mouth, eyes going wide with pleasure.

“Yeah, it’s good,” I agreed with a grin of my own.

“Why did you give me such a small piece?” he asked plaintively.

“Because you have other things to try. Ice cream is still chilling, but how about a strawberry tart?”

He bit into the tart, curiosity quickly transforming into happiness. And so it continued, me giving him the twelve recipes I knew well enough to make without a reference card—and with this world’s ingredients. A lot of them were baked goods, but I could do jam, too. And the ice cream, of course. I did dip a few in chocolate, like I had done for Henri, as Rupert hadn’t tried them that way.

He was four desserts in, looking a lot like a kid who had managed to sneak into the cookie jar when no adults were watching. The sugar rush would not be a joke later. I felt sorry for Ophelia.

Of course, Henri came in while his dad was stuffing his face, saw the smorgasbord of goodies laid out, and lit right up. “Oh, you’re done! I can have some, I hope.”

“Dude, you think I want to eat the rest of this? Sit, eat, do not get sick. In that order.”

Ophelia was on his heels; I could hear her approach. “Oh, is she done already? Oh, no, I meant to help.”

I waved her to a stool next to the island. “It’s fine, I’ve got this. Sit, taste things, let me know what you think.”

Henri was already a bite into a strawberry tart and humming his approval. “Delicious. Father, what do you think?”

“I think we’re going to make a bloody fortune, is what I think.” Rupert’s hand was going for a chocolate-covered strawberry as he spoke. “No wonder she missed these so much. Sweet, delicious berries like these? I’d have missed them too.”

It wasn’t the only thing from home I missed. The thought brought a soft pang to the heart. But, you know, I was in a better situation now than I had been even a year ago. I could see my family every few months and talk to them. I had some more things from home, things I couldn’t replicate here. And I had all of that, in large part, due to the amazing man sitting across from me, happily munching on his strawberry tart.

When I’d first landed on this planet, chained to a wall by a madwoman, I’d dreamed of home. I never dreamed of this moment, of sitting in a friend’s kitchen, feeding people snacks. I’d never thought I’d live in this world, only wished desperately for my own.

When I’d learned I couldn’t return home, I’d been devastated, and desperate to make myself a place here. I was set in survival mode, I suppose. Even then, I didn’t dream of being comfortable here. Of feeling like I’d belonged here.

But in this moment, I felt it. I felt natural in this space, as if I were precisely where I was meant to be. It was a heady, warm, elated feeling that brought a smile to my face and half a tear to my eye.

I’d been insanely lucky, being introduced to Sherard and Gibson. I’d thought I used up all my luck with them because they’d been so incredibly supportive and generous with me from day one. Apparently, I’d had a little luck left over. Because the universe decided to give me Henri Davenforth, a gift I’d not expected or seen coming. And with him, his parents, his family, all the beautiful people who welcomed me with open arms.

Sitting here in the kitchen, enjoying yummy desserts, laughing and talking with people I loved, it felt like I was home. For the first time since landing on this planet, I honestly felt it. I’m home.

I’m home.

Ellie has created the first wind turbine and it’s now powering her workshop. She is SMUG. With all the wind coming off the