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speculation Hettie would indulge in, in full
hearing of anyone sitting in the crowded square.
    When she walked into the lobby she smiled at Becky.
    “Good morning, Becky,” she said.
    “Hi, Miss Brooks. The director’s expecting you.”
    This surprised her. “He is?”
    Becky nodded. “He couldn’t reach you out at your camp so
he’s been hoping you’d stop by.”
    She felt a stab of guilt. She didn’t think anyone would
notice she’d put off the drive to the Institute for fear she’d run into Rick. Well,
Hettie had chided her for keeping to her camp like a hermit, but then she always
teased her about her solitude. But the director took note of it, too:? Well, there
was nothing else to keep her from the Institute so here she was. She was late,
apparently.
    “Thanks,” she said.
    Before she could knock on his door, Dr. Robbins called out
to her. “Come in, Harmony.”
    “I’m sorry, Dr. Robbins,” she said. “I wasn’t aware you
needed me here.”
    He waved a hand. “Please don’t worry, my dear. I just
wanted to give you an update on our progress regarding the scrub buckwheat.”
    She nodded and quickly sat down across from him. “What’s
going on?”
    “I’ve been in contact with the FDACS, and they’re asking us
to do more research.”
    The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,
through its Division of Forestry, oversaw the recovery of endangered and
threatened plant species in Florida. Between committees and subcommittees, she
knew the request could involve plenty of work for her. Good. She was more than
up to the challenge, and more than ready for the diversion.
    “What do they need?” she asked.
    “Well, the Endangered Plant Advisory Council meets within
the month, Harmony. They want to rule on the plant at that meeting. So I need
you to search all over the property for evidence of the scrub buckwheat.”
    “Certainly,” she said. “Where would you like me to start?”
    “Take a camera with you, and some sampling equipment. We
need you to find out if the plant grows elsewhere on property.”
    She stilled. Chapman had to be behind this. Rick,
specifically.
    “So Chapman can build on their chosen spot, I take it?” she
asked.
    The director’s lips thinned for a moment. “Yes. We work with the developers, my dear. They have to satisfy their investors or Cypress
Corners would be forced to take environmental shortcuts. That’s the last thing
we want.”
    She nodded. Too many communities in Florida did little to
preserve the wildlife their residents claim to value. Maybe Chapman Financial
made it possible to take a more cautious approach, but with their constant
scrutiny and interference their involvement was hard to take at times.
    She looked up to find Dr. Robbins watching her. She shifted
in her seat and nodded for him to continue.
    “Look for seeds or seedlings or anything else that can
indicate the plant’s growing,” he said. “Maybe we can get it off the endangered
list.”
    A thrill went through her. This would be even better than
finding the plant in the first place! Chapman could have their precious café if
she could find the plant thriving here at Cypress.
    She came to her feet. “I’ll get right on it, Dr. Robbins.”
    He stood as well. “Good. See Becky for an updated map of
the development. We don’t want to miss one corner.”
    She nodded. This was what she needed. A worthy diversion
from Rick Chapman and a worthy cause for her talents. Humming to herself, she
went out to the lobby.
    As she rode her scooter past the fitness center Rick
stepped right into her path. She skidded to a stop and braced her feet on the
brick walk. He pulled back, his eyes wide.
    “Whoa!” He grinned. “Hello, Harmony.”
    She shut off the scooter and removed her helmet. “Sorry
about that. I… My mind was… ”
    He took the towel off his shoulders and wiped his face. “I
was just working out. Killer facilities.”
    She nodded, her eyes running over his body. He was