Page 18 of Must Love Scones and Secrets
Eviscerate me.
“I…” I began, and then the compass bird lifted off my shoulder and fluttered toward Rosalyn, looking back at me. “A child gifted me with the compass bird. I told it I was hungry and…” I explained awkwardly.
“Rosalyn, do you know this stranger?” the gnomish woman asked, eyeing me suspiciously.
“Yes, I do. He’s a friend of Elder Thornberry,” Rosalyn answered simply. “Come in, Bjorn. I’m just closing up for the night, but I have lots of soup and fresh bread left.”
“I don’t mean to impose, I just?—”
“Was hungry?” Rosalyn asked with a light laugh and a smile that made something in my stomach unknot. “That’s what a café is for, you know. Come.”
“Rosalyn, this man has been lingering outside your door,” the gnomish woman said, giving me a fierce look.
“It’s all right, Winifred. He seems harmless. As for you,” she said, turning to Smoke, “are you a nice boy with kitties?”
“He is,” I reassured her.
“Then, come. I have more cookies,” she told Smoke, who wagged his tail. “’Night, Winnie,” she called to her neighbor, who gave me a suspicious huff.
I looked down at Smoke. “Mind your manners,” I said, then grinned at my own feelings, “and I’ll mind mine.”
Rubbing my forearm, I cleared my throat, pushed back my hair, and headed inside.
Lady of Spring, be with me…and please, do not let me make a fool of myself.
CHAPTER 7
ROSALYN
Even though I was smiling, it was very possible the butterflies in my stomach were going to burst out and kill me, causing a grizzly scene that would scar Bjorn for life.
I held the door open for the Rune elf and his firewolf.
Merry immediately paused his grooming and looked at the firewolf with suspicion.
The wolf had a similar reaction, but he was more excited than aggressive. He whined excitedly and wagged his tail quickly, doing a little hop in interest.
Bjorn smiled apologetically. “He’s good with cats, I promise. He endlessly follows them around our stables, trying to play with them or groom them and thoroughly annoying them in the process.”
“He has good-boy energy,” I said with a laugh.
And so do you, Mister Runeson.
I took a pet cookie from a jar on my counter and tossed it to the wolf. “Please, have a seat,” I told Bjorn, gesturing to the last table upon which I hadn’t yet stacked the chairs. “You see. It was meant for you,” I said, trying not to let Bjorn see the heart shapes in my eyes.
“Thank you. I really don’t mean to put you out. The compass bird…” he said, gently lifting the compass bird from his shoulder with care as if it were alive. “It kept bringing me here. Your neighbor must have thought I was stalking you.”
“Winifred is suspicious of everyone, but she is also the one person in town who knows all. If there is any mystery to unfold, she will get to the bottom of it,” I said with a light laugh.
Bjorn’s brow furrowed slightly. “I see.”
Interesting.“So, how about a bowl of summer squash soup and a farmer’s pie?”
“That sounds amazing. Thank you, Rosalyn.”
“My pleasure,” I replied, my stomach twisting at the sound of my name spoken in his northern Rune elf accent.
Snapping my fingers, I set a cup, saucer, and a pot of tea coasting on clouds of glimmering blue light across the room to Bjorn. By chance, I had just brewed a pot of Evening Relaxation. The enchantment poured him a cup while I prepared his dinner.
