“He’s my legs,” Alberto said. “Once I was confined to the chair, I thought my gardening days would be over, but Harry found a way for me to keep going.”

Harry shrugged. “I’m not going to tell him I enjoy it. He’s been wanting me to admit that forever, but I have to have something to hold over him for my raises.”

Isabeau laughed at his dry tone. “Okay, I’m going to take a look around and see what you’ve done. I’ll bet I can identify most of the plants.”

“I’ll be interested in discussing medicinal plants with you for my garden,” Alberto said. “But you go now, and we’ll talk when you’ve had a chance to see everything.”

It was obvious he was proud of the garden and wanted to share it with someone he hoped would appreciate it. Isabeau set out, moving down a well- worn path that took her to the southernmost end of the garden first. It was the most open and she wanted Jeremiah to feel comfortable with her walking around.

She took her time, taking Alberto at his word. She enjoyed the night sounds. She could hear the pounding music in the distance, but the insects and the flutter of wings were more prominent—and musical—to her. She found the garden soothing, and the farther she walked away from the others, the more safe she felt. Her cat settled and her skin quit itching. There was no longer the scent of intrigue and depravity. Freshly dug dirt, the fragrance of flowers and trees took the place of cloying perfume and malicious intent. Maybe Alberto had sensed her need of peace and sent her out to allow her space. He was a perceptive man in spite of his age.

She began to mentally name the various plants and their uses. Scarlet passionflower blooms attracted and were pollinated by the hermit hummingbird. The flowering bromeliad’s nectar fed a variety of bats. An array of orchids grew both on the ground and up the trunks of trees, providing food for all kinds of birds and insects, including the orchid bee.

Isabeau stopped to admire an epiphytic blueberry, the bright orange flower and bulbs a favorite of hummingbirds. Although they were usually found high in the canopy, Alberto had brought them within reach of the ground, which in turn brought the various species of hummingbirds closer to inspection.

Many varieties of ferns grew taller than her, forming a beautiful, lacy jungle. All kinds of philodendrons in various shades of green, with different types of leaves, both split and variegated, towered above her as well. The winding path took her up a small slope where the brush was far thicker. Here, small animals made their homes. She could hear the rustling and even scent them in the burrows.