Page 49 of Torin and the Princess

“Aye, m’middle has grown rowdy surrounded by all this food.” He nodded toward a big jar. “I am allowed tae eat one of those?”

“A pickled egg? Definitely.” I grabbed up the tongs, opened the jar, fished out two eggs, placed them in a wax paper bag, and passed them to Torin. I put the lid back on and glanced at Torin. His cheeks were puffed out with both eggs in his mouth, chewing.

Marjorie had returned and laughed. “Hungry, Torin?”

“Aye, famished,” he said through a full mouth.

I said, “You need something more? That’s a lot of pickle, you like pickled?”

He grinned, his big handsome smile in his beard. “I dinna even taste it, aye, I like pickled. Tis verra common where I am from.” He held out the bag. “Two more would fill me up.”

I fished out two more eggs and he ate them really fast again. I pointed to the napkins and he cleaned his hands while Marjorie bagged everything, which always took a minute because she was overly methodical. “How long are you in town for, Torin?”

“I am leavin’ by the next morn.”

She put the pasta in a paper bag nodding her head.

I said, “Don’t forget to include the eggs he ate.”

She placed the French bread slowly in the bag. Then she unfolded a second bag and began putting the meat inside, asking me, “You have parmesan?”

“Oh right, parmesan! I have the can, but do you have some fresh?”

She reached over the counter to the shelf where there was a block of wrapped parmesan. “Is this enough?”

“Yep. Oh, and another tomato too.” I ran to get a tomato from her produce section. “NowI have everything.”

I paid for the second time. And then waited again while she wrapped and bagged the rest of the groceries.

There were small carts but I hadn’t used them, so instead we both carried bags and the case of beer in our arms and managed to get it all out to the car in one trip.

I opened the trunk and we loaded it full of groceries. Then I closed it.

Torin slapped his hand down on it. “Now that we hae added tae the load, dost ye need me tae walk?”

“Nope, the car can carry all of it.”

“Tis miraculous.”

17

LEXI

2004 - HIGHWAY 64

Isaid, “Alright, you ready to get back?”

“Aye.” He went around to the passenger side door and with no assistance opened the door. I got in the driver’s seat as he took off his sword belt and placed it in the back seat. “This is the only trouble with yer carriage, Mistress Lexi.” He was very close, leaned over the seats, his shoulder brushing against mine. “One canna wear a sword easily, or access it if trouble nears. It ought tae be right on yer hip so ye can pull it and wave it menacingly out the open window. He rolled down the window and put his elbow out.

“Look at you, you’re an old pro.”

He ran his hand through his hair.

“Don’t forget your seatbelt.”

“Tis necessary?”

“It’s illegal to ride without it.”

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