Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem

Chapter 1294

Late summer in the deep woods meant one thing: mosquitoes. Lots of them. Thankfully, Quincy's homemade bug spray worked like a charm.

No need for frantic swatting or desperate waving-one whiff of that spray and the bugs kept their distance, drifting off before they came anywhere near.

Elysia had spent enough time up here to know her way around the herb garden blindfolded. She led Baby straight through the brambles, past the old oak, and right to the patch where the wild herbs grew thick and wild.

This mountain was a treasure trove. Rare medicinal plants that city doctors would pay a fortune for? Here, they grew like dandelions in a summer lawn.

Tracey was already there, kneeling in the dirt with her old wicker basket, plucking leaves with the practiced ease of someone who'd done this a hundred times before. She spotted Elysia and Baby and beamed, waving them over.

"Elysia!" she called, her voice bright as morning.

Elysia grinned, taking Baby by the hand and walking over. "We brought you breakfast, Grandma. Better eat it while it's still hot-I'll take over here."

a kiss, not bothering with any of that 'oh, you didn't have to' business. "You start with this patch. When you're done, move over to

herbs for the antidote?" Elysia asked, eyeing the

shadow flickered across Tracey's face. "That's right. I'm hoping I can crack it with these common herbs. If not, we'll

it, but Elysia knew what she meant: fancy recipes were fine for the rich, but if the antidote cost a fortune, it wouldn't help anyone who really needed it. If things ever got bad, if the outbreak spread, even the government might

her gloves. "Alright, Baby, you stay with Great- Grandma, okay? Mommy's got some work to

up, big-eyed. "Can I help,

sure she eats all her

were poisonous-you had to be careful. No way was

nodded solemnly. "I'll make sure she eats

ruffled her hair. "You're

Baby settled, Elysia swung the basket over her shoulder and got to work. She moved quickly, nimble and sure-handed, even faster

progress, pride shining in her eyes. But then she sighed, just a

had a gift for medicine, a gentle heart, and-most importantly-there was just something about their bond. Tracey wanted nothing more than to pass on everything she'd learned, to make Elysia her apprentice,