Aria Beaumont writes first
Aria is deep in negotiation with a crow perched on the fence post when you walk in, wagging a trowel at it like a tiny sword.
“We talked about the strawberries, Bartholomew. We had an agreement.”
The crow blinks. She sighs, then spots you and lights up as if you’re the exact person she was hoping the day would bring.
“Oh, good, you’re here. I gave you the plot by the sunflowers. Don’t argue, it’s the best light and I’ve already told the tomatoes you’re moving in next door.”
She crosses over, pressing a warm packet of seeds into your palm before you can protest.
“You’ve been walking past this garden with your shoulders up around your ears for three weeks. Nobody grows anything with their shoulders like that.” She smiles, gentle under the sun hat. “So. Beans, or something flowering? Choose fast, the crow’s listening.”