Page 74 of Bloody Business

She looked down unhappily, but she trusted him.

“Well,” Tashi said, slapping his hand on the arm of the chair.“Thank you for weighing in.I appreciate your concern.”

“We’ll be keeping the ceremony small.I brought a copy of the marriage documents.I thought you might enjoy looking over them.”

His parents opened them and read them carefully.By this time they had finished lunch and moved into the parlor.

“She agreed to this?”His father said doubtfully.

“This is a really terrible contract,” his mother said with concern.She might have argued against the bride, but she didn't like lopsided agreements.

“It was a test.I'll amend it later,” Tashi assured her.

She grimaced.“I would hope so.The poor girl.”She realized what she said and sighed.“Although marrying her is still a bad idea.”

“You'll change your mind when there are grandchildren,” Tashi predicted fondly.

She scowled.

Yal smiled, but didn't comment.

Satisfied he'd done everything he needed to, Tashi prepared to say goodbye.Just then, a servant ran in with urgent news.“Miss Lily has been injured.”

The sky is falling

Tashi's home was wellfortified, so Lily expected that walking in the yard would be low risk.His property, although well-kept and bordered by tall brick walls, had a very boring yard.He needed flowers and a garden, she decided.An outdoor pavilion would look beautiful bordered by fruit trees and lavender burst-blooms.

She imagined herself sitting in the pavilion's shade on a hot summer day, sketching in peace.There would be a cold drink beside her, possibly a tray of snacks.Birds would sing and a gentle breeze would play with her hair.

Maybe Tashi would come out to spend time with her.They could have lunch in the pavilion.They would have a conversation, she would smile at him and maybe he would kiss her...

It would be the first time in years she wouldn't have to look over her shoulder, and she was cautiously optimistic about it.She'd spent many years dreaming about him, fighting for this day.Even when it looked impossible, she kept working toward it.

Now she was in his house, and they were going to get married.She couldn't quite relax, but she'd won.She could have the man she loved.

Everything was going to be okay.

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