Chapter 43

Dr. Emily Sinclair followed Rainbow along the forest path, her initial reluctance giving way to curiosity despite herself. She had agreed to this early morning visit primarily to support her friend’s commission, but also—if she was honest—to see firsthand what her neighbor was actually creating rather than relying on assumptions.

The morning air carried the scent of cedar and dampness, a familiar comfort that reminded her of childhood explorations through these same woods. At seven AM, the light was soft and golden, filtering through the canopy in shifting patterns that had always calmed her restless mind.

“It’s just through here,” Rainbow said quietly, her voice automatically dropping to match the contemplative atmosphere of the deep forest.

When they emerged into the small clearing that housed the meditation garden, Emily stopped short. Whatever she had expected, it wasn’t this.

Nicholas Carter stood near the tiny pool, not in carpenter’s clothes but in simple dark pants and a gray sweater, his attention focused on adjusting the position of a stone along the water’s edge. He looked up as they approached, nodding a greeting that was polite but not deferential.

But Emily’s response was momentarily delayed by what she was seeing. The garden was exquisite—not in any showy or artificial way, but with the kind of quiet perfection that spoke to a deep understanding of natural systems. Every element felt inevitable, as if it had always existed in exactly this configuration.

The water feature was particularly masterful. Rather than an obvious fountain or pond, it appeared to be a natural spring emerging from beneath ancient stones, its gentle circulation creating the softest possible sound of water over rock. Native plants emerged from carefully prepared soil that looked like it had been undisturbed for decades.

“This is remarkable,” she said, her professional appreciation overriding personal reservations. “The integration with the existing ecosystem is seamless.”

“That was the goal,” Nicholas replied from behind them. “To create something that honored the place and the person.”

He gestured at the weathered green bench positioned to face the pool. “This belonged to the previous owner and his wife. After she died, he couldn’t bear to develop the property, so he sold it to me. I like to think that she’d appreciate this spot that I made to honor her memory.”

Emily sat on the bench, immediately understanding its placement. From this angle, the morning light caught the scene perfectly, while the surrounding forest created a sense of complete privacy. It was exactly the kind of place where someone would come to think, to grieve, to remember.