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But despite the crowd, there was no sign of the man they searched. Jackson scanned every face they passed, his eyes searching for anyone out of place or anyone who seemed to be hiding amongst the crowd. He caught snippets of conversations - a mother bargaining over prices with a farmer, a group of children begging for sweets from an old woman - but nothing that matched their description.
Barrett's hand tightened on Jackson's arm as they wove through the throngs. He stood out amongst the crowd, even in the borrowed clothes. Barrett was too tall and handsome to blend in seamlessly. Yet his presence only added to the spectacle around them. They drew envious glances from some and curious ones from others, but no one seemed to recognize them as anything more than two men out for an adventure.
As they walked deeper into the market, Jackson couldn't shake off a feeling of dread settling in his gut. Had they missed him? Had he already sold his wares elsewhere or simply given up on coming here? He tried to reason with himself; this had only been their second trip after all, surely they wouldn't give up so quickly? But as they continued their search without any luck, doubt began to creep in once more.
After a tiring day of fruitless searching at the market, Jackson knew it wasn't going to happen. Not today at least.
"Should we go back to the farm? You see how the shops are packing up? If this man was here, he'd be leaving, too."
Barrett only nodded and moved in silence beside Jackson.
Jackson was the first to break the silence, his mind swirling with the events of the past few days. "I can't help but wonder if we're chasing ghosts, Barrett. What if this man with the beans only had those three and will never return?"
Barrett stopped in his tracks, turning to look at Jackson with a reassuring smile. "Jackson, we've seen things we never thought possible. Magical beans that grow into sky-reaching vines, a world above the clouds teeming with magic and giants. I refuse to believe that the man we seek won't show up at some point."
Jackson sighed, unable to shake the creeping sense of hopelessness.
Barrett nodded in understanding, his grip tightening around Jackson's hand. "I know how important it is - how important you think it is to make my father happy. And we will find a way to do it. Together."
His confident words were like a balm to Jackson's weary heart.
"I think I've figured out where everyone can go." Jackson set his hand over Barrett's before they stopped at his truck.
"Really? Why are you only just now saying something?" Barrett's eyes sparkled as if Jackson had just promised him the world.
"Well, I wasn't certain, and it does require some magical help."
"I feel like I need to hear this in the car."
Jackson couldn't help the smirk that slipped over his lips. He let Barrett's hand go and climbed in, waiting until Barrett shut his door.
"I want to keep renting out the motel. There's over a hundred rooms."
"And that needs magic?"
Jackson nodded. "Well, I can't afford to keep doing it on my own. But if you can make some things grow … like more than my crops, I can keep paying for it."
"Jackson Walker, are you trying to be a cheat?"
He shrugged and pulled out of the spot. "What I'm trying to do is save an entire kingdom that I basically put in danger."
"Well, what you put it like that, I suppose I have no choice."
Weeks passed, the early spring turned into spring, and the summer months melted into fall.
Jackson and Barrett continued to visit the farmer's market, and many others in the area. All in hopes of catching a glimpse of the man who changed Jackson's world.
Every single visit left them without any idea if there were more beans left in their realm. And every failed attempt meant they were a step away from finally calming down.
With Barrett's help the motel housed many from his realm, but others had found jobs in Jackson's realm.
Which is how King James came to tag along on this one last chance at finding the bean. After this, the king agreed to assume they would be safe from any others growing the stalks because the man had been nowhere to find.
Morning had already come and gone with the three men searching every cart and indulging in more coffee and pastries that were necessary.
As Jackson strolled through the bustling farmer's market, his boots thudding against the dirt-packed earth, he scanned the stalls with a practiced gaze. Barrett walked beside him, equally determined but also enjoying the vibrant atmosphere around them.
King James followed behind them, his towering figure casting an imposing shadow as he surveyed the scene with keen interest.
