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Melinda Montserrat

=Book Two=

J.D. Martelle 2017

Part Twenty Two

[Chapter 1]

“I saw Bree...” I said to my morphs as we broke for lunch, we had six greenhouses built so far. Once we had the system down they went up in about three hours.

“That's wonderful!” Mel squeed happily. “The energy we are feeding to her is helping her to start to manifest in the world of the living once more. Um, it didn't freak you out, did it Sir?” My Mousey asked. I gave her a winsome smile.

“No Mousey mine, it was just a bit of a shock is all. She was still rather transparent, ghostly. But for the first time in two and a half years I could look upon her face again. I went to hug her but my hand passed through her like water. There was a substance to her, but she was ethereal. The more energy you two can feed her the stronger she will become and can re enter the world for a single night. And... I am not quite sure how I am going to handle that. Will she be ghostly or more solid?” I asked.

“Well according to legend, with enough energy and love, the departed can return in physical form for the span of Sowin's eve, and then they fade away with the first rays of the dawn.” Mel said.

“So what if she stays in the basement, protected from the rays of the sun?” I asked sounding more desperate than even I expected.

“I... Don't think it works that way. It is one of those unknowns, but she is very much loved and cherished. So perhaps once we manage to bring her across, perhaps we can do it again on may day.” Mel offered..

“Verry good point Mousey mine. It was a very pleasant surprise, I have always felt her spirit around the homestead but I wasn't sure if it was just wishful thinking on my part simply because she was with me for five years and everywhere on the farm.” I said pouring my morph a glass of switchel.

“I never believed that ghosts were real, until I met Bree and made a very personal connection to her.” Sherry said. “Did you know she sank her paw into my chest? Everything went Gray when she wrapped her fingers around my heart!” it freaked the fuck outta me, but a moment later I could feel a part of her spirit swimming in my soul and it opened my eyes to a world of possibilities.” the Skunkette added.

“That sounds like something out of an old Gothic horror story.” I chuckled.

“Yeah, it kinda freaked me out. I can't even begin to describe the feeling of having a ghost stick her paw into my chest and grab hold of my beating heart. It was so completely shocking, it seemed that for the space of a single heartbeat, time stood still and I couldn't move or breath or scream! I was just lost in the glow of her eyes...” The lavender Skunkette fell silent, seeming to drift into a trance.

“Sherry... Hon... You okay?” Mel asked reaching over gently touching her friend and lover's shoulder. She yelped as the static shock zapped her fingers as the Skunkette slowly swiveled her head like a turret and locked her gaze with the mouse's.

“We may love the master, but come the crossing 'She-Who-Was-First' will show us the ultimate devotion to a Love-Master.” she said, her purple eyes glowing from within. Gasping she shook her head as if to clear it. “Wow, that was weird, It feels like my head is stuffed with cotton and I kinda drifted off there, Um, why are you guys looking at me like that?” Did I say something weird?” the Dancer asked truly at a loss.

“Um, yeah, ya kinda did hon.” I said coming round the center island and drawing the bewildered Skunkette into a hug.

“It's called Shadowing,” Mel announced as we turned our attention to her. “It is a form of minor possession, not as serious as a full on forth level ectoplasmic inhabitation. But often a spirit who needs to get a message across the veil will shadow someone they had a connection to in life or a living soul they had contact with, it's sorta like you drive up to a convenience store leaving the door open and the motor running, and someone hops in and honks the horn to get your attention... it's usually harmless. I think Sherry and Bree made a real solid connection because they have similar personalities. I know they really seemed to click at the full moon devotional.”

“But why not you? Aren't you way more into this kinda thing?” The Skunkette asked.

“Well, I may be more sensitive, but you have the outgoing over the top personality that Bree's spirit is attracted to. You were a very popular exotic dancer, you commanded the love and devotion of hundreds of fans and that kind of raw energy is very attractive to a hungry ghost.”

“A hungry Ghost? What's that?” Sherry asked.

“Sometimes when someone dies extremely violently, their spirit gets 'stuck' between the worlds. They try to cling to the life they lead, or they seek revenge on those who murdered them, then they become a vengeful spirit and can be quite dangerous. But since Kevin already took vengeance for her, she remained to keep the harmony in an effort to be of service to the one she devoted her life to. I think ever since I made contact with her and she has the chance to cross over and be with her love-master once more, that has become an all consuming force in her mind. And weather she knows it or not, she will do anything within her considerable power to make it become a reality.” Mel Sighed.

“She wouldn't harm Either of you, would she?” I asked. Mel shook her head.

“No, I don't think she would, at least not intentionally. I've never encountered a Hungry Ghost in person, I've only read about them in my research. Which is why I was able to recognize what may be happening. I think she is just doing what anyone would do in her situation, and that would be grasping at straws desperate to return to the loving arms of her family. We have at least another two or three full moons before Sowin, since we missed the summer solstice, the next power point in the wheel of the year.”

“The wheel of the year?” Sherry asked. Being a farmer I was well aware of what she was speaking of.

“The Wheel of the Year is an annual cycle of seasonal festivals, observed by many modern Pagans. It consists of either four or eight festivals: either the solstices and equinoxes, known as the "quarter days", or the four midpoints between, known as the "cross quarter days"; Syncretic traditions like Wicca often celebrate all eight festivals.”

“What days are they?” Sherry asked, sounding quite intrigued.

“Yule or Winter solstice, a time of gift giving, celebrating the suns return or the rebirth of the sun, for the days get longer from that point. Imbolc in early February, the first stirrings of spring; lambing season, celebrating the new life and first flowing of milk. Next is Ostara, the spring equinox, the burgeoning of new life and the promise of a good harvest. Next comes Beltaine, or the first of May.” Mel smiled with a blush.

“Why are you blushing?” Sherry asked with a grin.

“Oh Beltaine is a fire festival also a sex festival to encourage fertility in the fields. Pagans used to go into the fields and Fuck like bunnies. I was just remembering a celebration I once attended... It was my first free for all sex orgy,” Mel giggled as her blush intensified.

“Dame girl, why didn't you invite Me?” Sherry chortled, playfully slapping the mouse on the shoulder.

“I would have, but you were working at the club!” she shot back. “It was great, they even had a May pole... and we danced around it interweaving colorful ribbons. And kissing each other as we went round.”

“Oh that sounds wonderful. But what do they do with it after the celebration?” Sherry asked.

“You cut it up and drop it in a huge cauldron with the finest spring water and boil it down...” she grinned.

“Why would they do that?” The Skunkette puzzled.

“Haven't you ever heard of 'May-Pole' syrup?" Mel asked with a wink. We all groaned at the pun.

“Anyway, Next on the list is Mid summer, the summer solstice, marking the high point of the sun. Next comes Lammas, in early august, celebrating the grain harvest, usually I would bake fresh bread. Then Maybon, the autumnal equinox then Sowin, one of two days when the veil between the worlds is thinnest, the other being Beltaine. Combined with the Thirteen Esbates, or full moons of the year.” Mel finished.

“Living on the farm you will become more attuned to seasonal changes and I don't see why we can't incorporate some of those traditions into our year if you girls are interested.” I asked thinking back to the way Bree would honor some of those days.

“Um, yes please!” Mel answered happily “It would be nice to celebrate with those I love.”

“Verry well than I know Bree used to mark some of those and Yule is something that has been a family tradition so, and it will be so good to have family to celebrate and share it with again.” I said.

By mid July, we were ready for the farmers market. Going into the storage shed, I pulled out my market stall and assembled the six panels to assess what condition the ten by ten foot market stall was in.

“Well, it could probably use a new coat of paint.” I thought after I hosed off the dust.

“Oh sir, it looks wonderful” Mel said stepping in and standing at the counter looking around for the approach of phantom customers.

“I am really looking forward to selling our yummy produce at the farmer's market!” Sherry enthused, joining my Mousey in the market stall and bouncing on the balls of her feet quite excited at the prospect.

“The new greenhouses are almost in full production, I must admit it surprised me just how quickly we got crops growing in there. We have a good selection of produce to sell, I just hope we get a good spot.” Mel added.

“I'm sure we will, I put in for that vacant spot across from BBs corn patch, they just had a few tables and chairs there when we made our walk through.” I said just then my phone chimed it was the market liaison, confirming our new spot for the remainder of the season and asking for a list of produce we hat\d for the next market day. As well as a welcome back to the market with a planned announcement in the weekly farmers market bulletin sent to all the registered customers and marketeers

“ Well... speak of the Devil, that was the farmers market liaison Lisa Sims, we met her at the kiosk when I was filling out the new reg paperwork. She said we can expect a warm welcome back to Craggin Moore Farms so we can expect a lot of customers from the opening bell at nine A.M sharp.”

With the freshly painted market stall panels securely clamped to the roof of the skimmer and the cargo area packed with farm fresh produce, the girls were dressed for the market in light denim coveralls and bright plad shirts along with their sun hats. They looked great and were beaming with excitement. I just knew that would attract a lot of attention. Arriving at the farmer's Market at six thirty there was already a flurry of activity going on as I glided into the spot marked out behind the stall location and went to let the liaison know we were here, as the gals set up the stall, they had been practicing it for days and had gotten quite efficient in setting it up in under ten minutes. When I returned with Lisa Sims in tow, my morphs had the stall set in place and were just securing the shade-cloth roof in place as we walked up.

“Wow, this looks brand new! You really went all out here” she said doing a walk around to make sure everything was in place.

“Okay, Mr Morgan everything looks good to go, here is your market permit, post it on the wall in easy view, and your morphs look wonderful and should really draw a crowd.” she checked off something on her clipboard turned and grinned at my morphs

“Hello, Melinda and Cheryl? Right?” she asked doing a quick double-take at her clipboard.

“Yup” said Sherry greeting the middle-aged woman. “I'm Sherry,”

“Call me Mel, and it's so great to be here!” my Mousey said.

“Well we are glad to have Craggin Moore farms back with us again. Here are your seller's badges.” she said handing my morphs a pair of badges on lanyards. “have fun and I will come by to see how you are doing once things get rolling.” Lisa said with a wave and headed back to the office.

“Ahoy Kev!” we heard as we placed the first set of crates in place, turning we saw Betty Blodgett making her way over to us.

“Hiya BB! We made it back!” my Mousey enthused as she vaulted the counter to embrace the hefty woman in greeting.

“Well hey there Miss Mousey Mel, glad ta see ya again and don't you and 'Miss Purple' just look fetching.”she said taking the mouse in a hug spinning her around with a laugh keeping her arm around my companions shoulder as she stepped up to the counter looking over what we had on offer.

“Good ta see ya again Sherry, my, don't you fill out that outfit well.” she chuckled with a wink drawing the Skunkette into a welcoming hug.

“Thank you Miss BB, I am really excited to be here.” Sherry enthused.

“Welcome Back Kevin, looks like these new morphs have brought you back to life once again and now you are back where you belong. And if Y'all don't mind me saying yer produce looks as fantastic as ever, you are gonna do a land office business with that stuff, not ta mention having Two cuties ta help you sell it!” Betty chuckled playfully punching me on the shoulder.

“Thanks Betty, and it's been a long road back , but I am really glad to be back at the market its like coming home again, my girls have been a true blessing in all aspects of my life, I don't think I could have made it back without them.” I said beaming proudly at my morphs with all the love in my heart.

“Well that's what I like ta hear! It's going ta be an even better season now that y'all are back home. Have fun and sell sell sell!” the jovial woman said with a hearty laugh as she went back to her own stall ready for the opening bell.

“Okay my loves, here we go. Just remember the basic rules of market selling and have fun!” I say giving my morphs a quick hug just as the P.A. system crackles to life:

“Ladies and Gentleman the Farmers Market is Now Open for Business!” Ding-Ding-Ding-Ding-Ding.

almost from the opening bell we had a steady stream of customers not sure if it was following the marketing rules or having two lively morphs behind the counter that attracted more attention, of course, Craggin Moore Farms was always known for quality produce. So maybe it was a combination of all three that lead to such a successful relaunch of our Farmer's market endeavor. The crowd seemed to just love my girls! And we were doing a land office business!

Baskets of juicy cherry tomatoes, bright rainbow chard salad mix, small white Hakurei Salad Turnips that proved Very popular, bunches of French Breakfast Radishes, Fingerling Carrots as well as select bundles of chefs herbs and test marketing bags of Kale chips.

The Kale Chips proved to be a monster hit, Never underestimate the power of a cute morph giving out Samples! Mel was really shining interacting with the customers who seemed delighted to see a pair of friendly morphs behind the stall. Both she and Sherry were laughing and interacting with the crush of customers , talking, joking, beaming in delight, handing out produce and reeving fistfuls of cash and credits in exchange, and a fine time was had by all. More than a few times I heard folks referring to the stall as Craggin 'Morph', Farms due to the effervescent mouse and skunk femmes working with me.

By the closing bell, we had sold our last bunch of fingerling carrots and salad turnips, the kale chips had lasted less than ninety minutes, they having been received far better than I had expected.

“Wow! That was the most fun I have had in years!” Mel said as we were packing the empty produce crates into the skimmer.

“Oh my God, that was waaay better than working at the club!” Sherry agreed. “The customers were soo nice! And I just remembered the rules for selling at the market, and the produce was flying off the shelves, working the sample station was so fun sharing what we grew with the public, I answered Soo many questions! And I could handle them all it was soo much fun! I hadn't realized just how much I had picked up. The answers just flowed and it was soo exciting telling them about how we grew what we were selling. People seemed fascinated that a morph could grow tasty produce.” She beamed.

“Well there are only two or three stalls that even employ morphs working here and most of them were used for humping freight. You gals were the shining exception. And the public Loved you, as I suspected they would I know Bree was an amazing draw she was such a novelty and she was just as exuberant as you two and received the accolades of the adoring public.” I said as we secured the last crate and began breaking down the stall.

“So … Looks like You three were doing a land office business over here.” BB said as she came over to chat.

“Oh BB, it was ever so much Fun!” Mel squeaked dashing over to hug the corn-shucker.

“Hehehe told you the market would treat Y'all right, Mel. You and Sherry were just a joy ta watch the way you interacted with the customers, I was hard pressed to remind myself that this was yer first time here.” she beamed returning the mouse morphs affection lightly squeezing her shoulders honest admiration in the older woman's eyes.

“How'd you do today Betty?” I asked as Sherry and I placed the last stall panel in place and secured the straps for transport.

“Sold out, like always... 'coarse I Did manage ta save a few ears for Y'all.” she grinned handing a surprised Mel a bag with several ears of corn.

“Oh! Thank you-Thank you-Thank you!” she squeed rushing over to Sherry in delight.

“Thank you Betty that was very kind of you.” I said gratefully sighing after a very active day. I set aside a sample bag for you as well.” I smiled retrieving the satchel from the skimmers cargo compartment where the temp controlled enclosure kept it at it's peak.

“Fingerling carrots, some of the small white Hakurei Salad Turnips, which are something new this year, a bunch of French breakfast radishes, along with a snack bag of my kale chips.” I grinned at the surprised woman.

“Why Thank you Darlin, most neighborly of ya!” she cooed in her southern charm. Accepting the gift between friends.

“The Kale chips proved to be far more popular than even I expected.” I admitted as Betty fished out the zip-lock bag.

“I noticed they seemed ta be popular was hearing 'bout them all day.” she chuckled crunching into a few delicately crisp leaves. “... And I ken see why! These are darned tasty!” she exclaimed with delight.

“Thanks, Greg Richards wants us to supply him with these for his next tour.”

“I ken see why, ya gonna do it?” she asked finishing off the snack bag.

“Well... we will have to figure out the where and whens, as well as what size of the delivery we would be looking at, unless he wants five pounds at a shot, I may be able to accommodate him.”

“You are gonna have ta tell me how this all shakes out, sounds like a great conversation ta have over a beer or three.” she chuckled lightly punching my shoulder. I laughed with a nod.

“I will definitely keep you in the loop in this one, I know the girls would really enjoy it.”

“Well, have fun, bout time for me to mosey on home, see ya next week?” Betty Blodget asked.

“Yes Ma'am, lord willing and the crick don't rise.” I grinned as we hugged before parting.

“Yes sir re bob, you are one of the good ones Kevin Morgan.” she waved turning back to her transport.

Returning to my skimmer my morphs were engaged in a very animated discussion.

“So Girls, what did you think of your first farmers market experience?” I asked hugging them both.

“This was soo much Fun!” Mel squeed. “ Bree told us about her experience selling here but this was far beyond what I expected. I was a little nervous at first, but remembering what you and Bree advised, I relaxed and welcomed all our customers. If you expect good people to be your customers than that is what you will attract. I was having a little trouble adjusting to their body language because we were so busy! I answered questions handed out samples and made a ton of sales! People were shoving fist fulls of cash at me” I have never experienced that before. A lot of people said our prices were very reasonable and everyone seemed very pleased at the selection we had on offer.” my Mousey enthusiastically exclaimed.

“And How was your experience Cher?” I asked my purple Skunkette.

“Some of the most fun I've had with my clothes on!” she crowed. “Honestly, this was almost as much fun as some of my best nights dancing. Except no one was making it rain on me.” She giggled.

“It amazed me just how much I picked up and how many questions I could answer about the farm and how we grew things. Planting, harvesting, building greenhouses, what I thought of farm life. And got a list of people interested in a CSA if we were going to start one up in the future!” she said handing me the clip board with four pages of potential customers with their contact info. “A lot of folks asked if we had an email newsletter they could subscribe to. I said we didn't yet, but I thought it was a good idea, so I took down several pages of names.” Sherry said with a nod.

“ I think that a newsletter is a very good idea, Verry Well than, would you like to be in charge of the email newsletter?” I asked. “I am sure you both could write articles for it, we could even include some artwork from you Mel if you both think you could handle it?” I grinned at my morphs. They just looked at each other then grinned at me.

“Thank you master, I do have a lot of ideas from all the conversations I had with our customers.” Sherry said

“ Do you think you could add a few recipes to help our readers enjoy what we grow even more?” Mel asked.

“That is a great idea Mel, I am sure we could come up with something they would like. Are we ready to head out?” I asked my morphs opening the door of the skimmer.

“Going to have to replant the turnip row tomorrow” Sherry said as we made our way home. “After today I can see just how happy our customers are and I take real pride in being able to grow such high quality produce for them to enjoy. I'll admit, that I've kind of taken it for granted these last few months having access to it all the time that not everyone does. People were going on and on about how flavorful everything was and just how amazingly fresh it was. I would smile and say picked this morning fresh from the farm to you.” My Skunkette beamed. I was very glad she had transitioned so smoothly into the life on a farm.

Home again and my morphs were out in the garden gathering the ingredients for dinner. It was a joy to see them so happy with the new life they had chosen I was tallying the sales totals for the day and it was much better than I had expected. I lovingly caressed Bree's tail as I entered my office. sitting at my desk I went over the list of names Sherry had collected from our customers for the newsletter and potential CSA, with one hundred and twenty eight names to start off the Email list wasn't bad for a casual response. Doing a few calculations on what we had in the ground, I felt that the new expansion could just about handle that level of support, though my gut was telling me to err on the side of caution and add another four greenhouses just to be sure. That would mean either two trips to the market for pickups, or add a day to the weekly delivery schedule. Perhaps we should start with the newsletter and go from there.

“You know Sherry, I never thought we would find as great a situation as we have here.” Mel said to her bond sister as they strolled through the garden harvest baskets in hand. “I mean, when I got the call from the agency, I didn't know what to expect, when I met Kev at that office, the last thing I would have expected was that he was a farmer! I did some office work and he took me for a test drive, and that was really fun. He had a sign on the wall behind his desk that spelled out something unusual.

O P P O R T U N I T Y I S N O W H E R E. ” she said with a smile looking at the Skunkette

“Huh, back then if I saw it, I probably would have only seen 'Opportunity is Nowhere,' but in reality, it was, 'Opportunity is Now Here', and that night I could not have hoped for this outcome, I guess that 'Unseen hand' you are always talking about really came through for me.” Cheryl Collins sighed looking around her new home and smiled with genuine pride at the direction her life had taken her.

“I am very glad you accepted his offer, love, Bree said that you were heading for a very dark path.” Mel said hugging her lover.

“Thank you Mel, I am too...You know, if 'Mr Champagne room' would have gotten hes hands on me I probably would be dead right now. I could Never live as someones sex slave. And now I don't have too. Life bonding to Master Kev saved my life and has brought me such joy, such contentment, and meeting Bree, that has added a whole new dimension to my life. ”

“I never thought you would do that, Sherry but I am very glad you followed your heart and set aside your pride and stubbornness to do this.” Mel said solemnly.

“What do you mean stubborn? I'm Not stubborn I'm....just...” Sherry arched an eyebrow turning to look at Mel who just calmly stared back at the statuesque purple Skunkette with a Look on her face that Cheryl knew all too well.

“Okay, Fine, I was stubborn and prideful, but can you blame me! I was being worshipped as a Goddess! After a while it kind of gets to you, ya know? But you were always there for me, whenever I was having a bad night, or needed a friend, and when we became more than friends, I don't think I ever told you just how much you mean to me. and I apologize for that Mel, and I am very grateful to you and Kev and Bree for my new life.” the Skunkette said drawing the shorter mouse into a loving embrace.

Hearing my morphs return I went to greet them. Finding them in the kitchen washing the harvest they had collected.

# #

“Welcome back my lovelies, what bounty have you returned with tonight?” I asked hugging them in turn.

“Some of the Hakurei turnips, and carrots, and salad mix.” Mel said proudly.

“...And I noticed some of the asparagus was looking ready so I harvested some for dinner.” Sherry said.

“Good good. The asparagus beds are for our consumption only, and one of my favorites. They have been in production since I started the farm, and every year they naturally expand, produceing more and more for us all to enjoy. It would probably take between three and five years to produce a marketable harvest if I were to grow them commercially, but I like them too much to share with our customers, which is why they are in the kitchen garden. I am glad you like them as well.” I chuckled looking at the pile of tender spears my Skunkette had harvested.

“For dinner tonight, to celebrate our successful return to the Farmer's Market I am thinking.... Mongolian Beef?” I suggest, my companions swoon in delight. “How does that sound to you?” I ask.

“I Love Mongolian Beef!” Mel and Sherry said in unison, then looked at each other and laughed musically.

End Part Twenty Two

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