An Unexpected Invitation

“This train is bound for Astoria,” the smooth operator’s voice said. The train slowly geared up, resounding through the station. Hundreds of guests clamored through the narrow hallway as parents folded up strollers and younger guests waved their selfie cameras. The rhythmic clatter of the train wheels soon filled the small cabin.

Grace stared out of the window at the passing landscape, her brow furrowed in deep thought as she thumbed the neat handwriting that bore their home address. She reread the letter for what felt like the hundredth time:

Grace Harper

1218 Rogers St. NE

Unit #2018

Portland, OR 97205

Renowned horticulturist, philanthropist, and environmentalist, Dr. Allin Bookman is seeking an artist to commemorate his life’s work.

We believe Whispering Willows would be an excellent candidate and wish to cordially invite you to stay at the Bookman Estate on October 16th.

During your visit, you’ll explore the estate and gain insight into Dr. Bookman’s work. Enclosed, please find details about your stay.

We look forward to your visit and your proposal for this meaningful project.

“I wonder how many other candidates will be there.”

“Huh?” She said, vaguely aware her husband had said something. “Oh, who knows? I’m sure they invited dozens of people, not to mention EnviroZen is gonna be there. They plastered it all over social media as soon as they got their letter.”

“I mean the name practically screams greenwashing!”

Grace didn’t react.

“Hey,” Jeremy said, placing a hand on her knee. “Don't sell yourself short. You're amazing at what you do. Your installations, your pieces, they're magical. You've got a gift, Grace.”

She glanced at Jeremy, uncertainty in her eyes.

“I know, but this is different. He's retiring, and he's inviting all these big corporations.”

“He sees something in you,” he took her hand. “You’re just as qualified as anyone else there.”

She rested her head on his shoulders.

“We’re meeting this man in less than 24 hours and I still don’t have a clue what to do.”

“You know what they say about oaks.”

“What?”

“The tallest oaks were once just little acorns that held their ground.”

She giggled.

“What?” Jeremy said, defensively. “Too cheesy?”

“It’s adorable.”

A few hours passed as the train churned further north away from the city. The conductor’s voice made routine announcements, but the couple was too engrossed in their conversation, dreaming of all their favorite flowers and which ones they expected to see during the tour.

Finally, the scenery changed to a massive forest of magnolias. The expanse of technicolor green stretched for miles on either side as the buildings grew shorter and more widely spaced. Their destination loomed in the distance as the train slowed down and passengers were soon standing, grabbing their luggage and crumpling trash. Jeremy and Grace exited to find a well-dressed man holding a sign with their names on it.

“Mr. and Mrs. Harper?” The man said. His shirt bore silver lettering that read The Bookman Estate.

“That’s us!” Jeremy replied.

“Splendid! I am your driver, Harrison.”

The man saw to their bags as they stepped into the luxurious black sedan.

“This is so boujee,” Grace said quietly.

“Definitely a step up from our usual Uber pool adventures.” Her husband said, jokingly. Grace rolled her eyes, shaking her head in disbelief.

With the sound of travel behind them, their attention moved to the luscious landscape ahead. It was mostly a blur as their escort sped through the countryside, with an occasional glimpse of a building or pond. The homes seemed to grow farther and farther apart as they rode on and proportionately more opulent until they evolved into gorgeous manors.

As the sun began to set, Harrison rolled down the partition in their cab to say, “On behalf of the staff, I welcome you to the Bookman Estate!”

Estate didn’t seem an apt description. They were stunned as they pulled through a stone archway thickly covered with vines and foliage. Lights portraying fairies danced on the walls, casting a warm orange glow from end to end of a rounded courtyard. Everywhere they looked, they saw green doused in amber light. Before them rose a mid-century style home, made of a rich-textured fieldstone. A large portico protruded into the courtyard, supported by almost a dozen marble pillars. Grace could not make out any other elements as a thick curtain of leaves hung over the scene.

This was her happy place.

Awestruck, the silence was broken only by the subdued crunching and popping of the sedan as it drifted over the gravel. It was like stepping into a different world; the illusion only mildly interrupted by their modern mode of transportation.

Jeremy felt Grace’s hand tighten in his. She hadn’t let go from the moment she caught sight of the archway.

“This is all you, babe! You got us here.” He said gently.

The driver motioned for them to step out, and a tall, elegant woman in her mid-50s greeted them under the portico.

“Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Harper, I am Madam Hedera. We are delighted to have you stay with us and to discuss working together. For now, please allow me to show you to your rooms.”

“Thank you!” Jeremy and Grace said at the same time.

They were shown through the courtyard which was lined by a row of neatly kept philodendrons; like an honor guard in perfect formation. An island of ferns lay in the center of the courtyard, surrounded by a line of flourishing Calatheas. A juxtaposition that blew Grace’s mind. Boston ivy fell in thick sheets over the stone wall, gently caressing a simple but tall set of bronze doors.

“This is beautiful. It’s an honor to be here.” Grace said, respectfully.

“You are most welcome. Dr. Bookman has been eyeing your work for some time now. He’s always had a soft spot for aspiring green thumbs such as yourself.”

“Will we be able to meet him?” Jeremy asked before he could stop himself. Grace elbowed him quietly.

Madam Hedera simply smiled, “I'm afraid Dr. Bookman will not be dining with you tonight. He wishes to be here, but has some pressing matters to attend to.”

Slightly disappointed, the two followed their guide through the home, their footsteps echoing off the travertine tiles. They passed a row of dark columns, intricately carved, standing before a sunken room so bright, Grace thought they had stepped back outside. She soon realized the room was made almost entirely out of glass. In the center of the room, stood a 21-foot tall Bristlecone Pine, enveloped by a solid cylinder of glass.

“Dr. Bookman had this room built around the tree during renovations.” Madam Hedera said, noticing Grace staring up at the ceiling. “He, of course, is highly protective of nature, but particularly when it comes to trees. It was always his dream to ‘narrow the gap between outside and in’ as he puts it.”

Jeremy thought he caught a hint of longing in her voice, as she paused for a moment. The thought was quickly replaced.

“Dinner will be sent to all the candidates' rooms at 8 o’clock. Please take as much time as you need to freshen up.” She held out her arm, gesturing to a passage on their right, leading to an open door. “And here is your room,” she said brightly.

“Thank you, Madam Hedera. We really appreciate your kind hospitality. We are so excited for the tour tomorrow.”

“And a grand tour it will be! You never know what you might find in a place as magical as this.”

With that, she turned and trotted off down the hall.

“Pretty crazy, isn’t it?” Jeremy turned to his wife.

“I’m literally in pure shock. I think I’m going to move here.”

Smirking, he picked up her bag and led them through the open door.

“Don’t make fun of me!”

“Me? Never.”

He knew what this meant to her.

They needed this. Their life together had slowly transformed into two parallel paths that merely coexisted. While they didn't have any major issues, their dreams and aspirations seemed perpetually overshadowed by the demands of the ever-invasive “now.”

Jeremy’s work as a private architect and Grace’s pursuit to build a floral empire left them little time to focus on each other. In fact, some days they hardly even spoke. This scared Jeremy the most, as he wasn’t sure if it was worse to fight constantly or love invisibly. Which is why his heart melted when he caught that glimmer in her eye which seemed to have evaded her for so long. Or maybe he was remembering to look for it again.

If there was one thing that could always win Grace’s heart, it was nature.

Eager to continue its world tour, the sun was nearing its goodbye as a faint chime twittered through the forest of maples that lay at the foot of the Bookman Estate.