To begin from the first chapter, START HERE. The previous chapter is HERE.
âDoes Raven know whatâs coming?â Val asked, her voice low as she pressed her trowel into the soil. The weight of the mayorâs email hung between the women, unspoken but heavy.
Riley straightened from adjusting the irrigation lines, her gaze flicking toward the house. âNot yet,â she said softly. âBut weâll make sure she doesnât face it alone.â Beyond the marigolds and sage, the wind whispered through the Canyon as if the land knew what was at stake.
The mid-afternoon sun was intense, but a steady breeze made working in Ravenâs garden tolerable. The air buzzed with the hum of bees flitting between the blooms of desert marigolds and sage. Val and Quinn knelt in the garden bed, carefully spreading a layer of compost around a cluster of salvia. Riley stood nearby, wiping sweat from her brow as she adjusted the irrigation lines. Sitting on a weathered bench, Skylar paused to examine a small, weather-beaten notebook she always carried.
Raven had left earlier that day, her voice carrying gratitude and a hint of reluctance as she explained her upcoming commitments.
âShikĂĄni will be able to help tomorrow if youâll be coming back,â she had said, her hand briefly resting on Valâs shoulder. âThank you for this. It means more than you know.â
The women had nodded, exchanging glances. They knew Raven couldnât readily accept help, but her weariness was hard to miss.
Riley broke the silence first, her voice uncharacteristically serious. âStrength,â she murmured. âI could use some of that right now.â
Val looked up, surprised. âCome on, girlfriend. Whatâs up?â
âIâve been feeling⌠off,â Riley admitted, her gaze fixed on her hands. âCoaching young architects used to light me up. Watching them start their practices, mentoring themâit felt like my way of giving back. But now, itâs just⌠hollow. Like Iâm saying the same thing over and over.â She sighed, meeting their eyes. âI didnât think this part of life would feel so empty.â
Valâs expression softened. âYouâre not alone. Iâve been asking myself the same thingâwhat now? Whatâs left for me to give? Sometimes, it feels like the best parts are behind me.â
Skylar leaned forward on the bench, her voice thoughtful. âThat uncertainty doesnât go away, even when you think youâve found your path. Iâve spent my life proving myself in a field where no one thought I belonged. Being one of the first Black women in archaeology meant constantly fighting to be seen and heard.
Well, youâre all getting a little too serious on me,â Quinn said, standing and dusting off her hands. âHere we are in a gorgeous setting, strong, successful women who can make our own destiny. Sure, we lose our way sometimes. But isnât that what friends are for? We can figure this outâtogether.â
Riley smiled faintly, her hand resting on Skylarâs arm. âQuinnâs right. Weâre not alone in this.â She shook her head. âIâm sorry for unloading earlier. I guess I needed to say it out loud to make sense of it.â
Quinn grinned. âGood. Now that weâve gotten that out of the way, Iâm fetching lemonade. Everyone, go sit in the shade and take a break. Donât discuss anything important until I get back.â
A few minutes later, Quinn returned with a tray of drinks and fresh pineapple. As the women gathered around, Val studied her thoughtfully. âYouâve been quiet today. Whatâs going on with you?â
Quinn set the tray down and sighed. âIâm leaving for Japan tomorrow. Robbieâs been asking when Iâll be back. I should be excited, right? But the truth is⌠Iâm not. Iâm starting to think of this place as home, and RobbieâŚâ She shook her head. â..feels like a stranger. I donât know what to do with that.â
Skylar reached for a glass of tea, her movements deliberate. âYou listen to yourself, Quinn. Not whatâs expected of you, not what you think you should feelâwhat do you want?â
Quinn hesitated, then nodded slowly. âThatâs the question, isnât it?â
After that, the women fell into a comfortable rhythm, weeding and planting as the conversation ebbed and flowed. They spoke of fears and dreams, of uncertainty and hope. And through it all, the act of tending the garden became a metaphor for their friendshipâa quiet but powerful reminder that they were stronger together.
Suddenly, Riley remembered the email Raven had received from the mayor. âVal, since you spoke with Raven, did she mention if she had spoken with the mayor about the centennial celebration?â
Val knelt by a bed of desert sage, her hands covered in soil, her voice heavy with her earlier conversation with Raven. âThe mayorâs email wasnât just about Whitman or Ravenâs training center. Itâs about the Valleyâs future. Thereâs a push for implementing a regional AI-based resource management system that could override local decisions about land use and water allocation.â
Skylar raised her head sharply from her notebook. âYou mean centralizing control? Overriding the SabĂĄka city council and even SabĂĄkari elders?â
Val nodded. âExactly. The proposal would hand decision-making power to an AI system designed to âoptimizeâ resources. On paper, it sounds goodâbetter water distribution, controlled growthâbut itâs not designed for places like this. It doesnât understand our history, culture, or the balance weâve fought to protect. The mayorâs email was a warning: if we donât speak up, the system will be implemented without our input.â
Riley frowned, her hand tightening on the spade. âSo, decisions about Echo Canyon could be made by a machine that doesnât know the first thing about this place or the people who live here?â
Val sighed. âThatâs why the mayorâs pushing for the community to stand together now. Thereâs a contingent of business leaders in favor of the changes. Youâll never guess whoâs leading that group.â
âWho?â Everyone echoed the question at once.
âWhitman, of course. Assuming the application for Echo Canyon can be declared a historical site before the Councilâs final vote. In that case, itâll protect the Canyon from being swept into this AI system. Ben has been working hard on the application and getting the needed signatures. Still, Raven is the connection to the SabĂĄkari First Nation. Sheâs been stretched thin with everything else. She doesnât need to carry this fight alone.â
Skylar tapped her notebook thoughtfully. âThis is about more than just preserving the Canyon. Itâs about standing up for the idea that human stories, traditions, and wisdom still matter in a quickly automated world.â
Val looked toward the horizon, her voice soft but resolute. âThatâs why I thought we could help her in the garden. Itâs not just a garden. Itâs her sanctuary, her anchor. If we can take some of the burden off her, maybe sheâll have the energy to keep fighting for what matters.â
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the garden in shades of amber and rose, Val stood back to admire their work. âWeâll finish the rest tomorrow,â she said, her voice tinged with satisfaction.
Riley glanced toward the house. âRavenâs going to love this.â
Skylar smiled. âAnd sheâll know sheâs not alone.â
The women lingered for a moment, their shared struggles forgotten in the glow of what theyâd created. Together, they hugged Quinn, wishing her well and promising strength and solidarity for the days ahead.
The following morning, the women returned to Ravenâs garden, greeted by the crisp desert air and the soft light of dawn. The ranch was at a higher elevation above the valleyâs subtropical climate. It was considered a mid-desert region and experienced more significant temperature swings in all seasons.
The women were quieter today, the chatter from yesterday replaced by the steady rhythm of work. The group had made significant progress, but there was still much to doânew herbs to plant, the SabĂĄkari medicine garden to establish, and the irrigation system to fine-tune.
Val was kneeling in the soil, placing small pots of lavender and sage in neat rows, when a soft voice interrupted the quiet.
âGood morning.â
The women turned to see a young teen standing at the garden's edge. She was slender, with long dark hair braided neatly down her back, her expression a mixture of nerves and determination. She carried a small woven bag, its intricate SabĂĄkari patterns vibrant against her simple, loose-fitting work clothes.
âYou must be ShikĂĄni,â Val said warmly, standing and brushing dirt from her hands.
âYes,â ShikĂĄni replied, her voice steady despite the slight tremor in her hands as she clutched the strap of her bag. âRaven asked me to come. She said I could learn a lot from working with you. Iâve brought some seeds from my grandmother to add to Ravenâs garden as an offering to honor our heritage.â
âYouâre just in time,â Riley said with a welcoming smile. âWe could use an extra pair of hands. Iâm Riley. Iâm so glad to finally meet you.â
Skylar stepped forward, offering a hand. âIâm Skylar. Itâs nice to meet you, ShikĂĄni. Ravenâs spoken highly of you.â
ShikĂĄniâs cheeks colored slightly as she shook Skylarâs hand. âThank you. I hope I can live up to her expectations.â
As the women guided ShikĂĄni to the workbench, the awkwardness began to dissolve. Val handed her a small trowel, and Riley explained the plan for the day. ShikĂĄni listened intently, her gaze flitting between the women and the garden.
While they worked, the groupâs natural curiosity began to surface. Skylar voiced what they were all thinking.
âShikĂĄni, can I askâhow did you come to work with Raven?â
ShikĂĄni paused, her hands gently pressing a basil plant into the soil. She looked up, her dark eyes filled with quiet pride. âI sought her out. My family is part of the SabĂĄkari council, and for years, Iâve heard stories about Ravenâhow she bridges our traditions with the modern world. Iâve always wanted to learn from her.â
âWhen she visited our village, I stayed close, hoping she would notice me. After seeing me ride my horse in the hills, she finally came to talk to me.â
âThat sounds like Raven,â Skylar said, smiling. âAlways seeing potential where others see obstacles.â
ShikĂĄni smiled shyly. âItâs not always easy. Some people in my community think we should hold onto the old ways without change. Others think traditions are holding us back. Raven⌠sheâs found a balance. She told me itâs not about choosing one or the otherâitâs about finding the thread that ties them together.â
The conversation shifted naturally to the upcoming nursery grand opening. As they worked, Riley crouched by a bed of rosemary, her mind clearly elsewhere.
âWe should do something for Raven at the nursery event,â she said suddenly, her voice breaking the rhythm of planting.
Val looked up, intrigued. âWhat do you mean?â
Riley shrugged, a thoughtful look on her face. âThe opening is the perfect opportunity to showcase what makes Ravenâs work unique. We could plan somethingâmaybe a demonstration of her training methods or a way to highlight her connection to the SabĂĄkari traditions. Similar to the open house she had here. I imagine there will be a larger crowd from all over.â
ShikĂĄniâs face lit up. âWe could incorporate a traditional blessing to honor the land and the people. Itâs something my grandmother taught me, and it could show how the SabĂĄkari culture respects the balance between nature and people.â
Skylar nodded slowly, her hands stilling in the soil. âThatâs a beautiful idea. And we could invite alliesâpeople whoâve worked with Raven in the past and, of course, the SabĂĄkari elders. It would show that she has the communityâs support. Whatâs the best way to ask for their help, ShikĂĄni?â
ShikĂĄniâs enthusiasm grew with each idea. âI will talk with my Mother. We have enough time to involve the elders as long as I follow the expected traditions.
âAnd Raven could do a demonstration with her horses. It would show how she combines our shamanistic traditions with modern psychology.â
Val leaned on her trowel, a small smile playing on her lips. âI like it. We could blend the old and the new, just like Raven does. Maybe the nursery could feature displays showing traditional gardening techniques alongside their modern, drone-led systems. It would fit perfectly with the theme.â
Riley grinned. âI love it. A celebration of everything Raven stands forâa way to show Whitman and anyone else that this community values its roots and future. Weâd better talk to Cameron and Channing before you talk to your mother, SkikĂĄni.â
As the ideas flowed, the conversation took a more serious turn. ShikĂĄniâs smile faded slightly, her brow furrowing.
âThereâs one thing we should be ready for,â she said hesitantly. âMr. Whitman. If he shows up, it wonât just be to admire the nursery. Heâs dismissed SabĂĄkari traditions before, calling them⌠primitive.â
Skylarâs jaw tightened. âOf course he has. That man wouldnât know culture if it hit him over the head.â
Rileyâs eyes narrowed. âIf he comes, weâll be ready. The best way to deal with someone like him is to focus on the positiveâshowcase Ravenâs strengths and the unity of this community. He canât argue with that.
âLetâs not worry about him now. Stay with the positive. Iâll reach out to the guys as soon as I get home. Then, Iâll let everyone know weâre a go, including you, ShikĂĄni. Then you can talk to your mother.â
Laughing lightly, Riley added, âMaybe we need to talk to Raven. We kind of need her on board.â
All of the women started laughing, showing their fatigue from their labors.
Val was the first to recover. âIâll talk to her tomorrow. Iâm coming over for a ride, which will be the perfect opportunity. Riley, I hope you will have an answer from Cameron before then.â
The group exchanged determined glances, a silent agreement passing between them.
As the sun climbed towards its zenith, the women finished planting the herbs, traditional medicine plants and ShikĂĄniâs seeds. The garden came alive with color and texture, and each plant was chosen carefully to reflect Ravenâs vision.
ShikĂĄni stepped back to admire their work, her face glowing with gratitude. âThank you for welcoming me today. Iâve learned so much just by watching you all work together. Itâs inspiring.â
Val placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. âWeâre glad youâre here, ShikĂĄni. Youâre part of this now.â
The women gathered around the final plantâan agave chosen for its symbolism of strength and renewal. Together, they dug the hole, placed the plant, and covered its roots with soil. As they stood, brushing dirt from their hands, a sense of accomplishment and unity settled over the group.
âThis is more than a garden,â Skylar said softly, her voice filled with emotion. âItâs a testament to what we can do when we come together.â
The others nodded, their gazes lingering on the transformed space. Despite the challenges ahead, they had hope in their hearts and a quiet anticipation for the nursery eventâa moment to stand united and showcase what truly mattered.
So nice to see how the friends care for each other. Speaking of Quinn and her feelings of going to Japan - I like what you wrote about how often we do what is expected of us or what we think we should feel. What about what we want? I really like the picture you created with the friends hands united around the agave.