Page 35 of Must Love Moss and Moonshine
When I stiffened, he paused.
“Tansy, you all right?”
Moving gently, I felt my ribs and then nodded.“Yes.Perfectly fine now.I had some bruised ribs, but Kellen gave me a healing tonic.They’re fully healed.”
“Good lad, that dryad.”
“Yes.Yes, he is.And I suspect you’re the first to call him a lad in a century.”
At that, Bromir laughed.“I need a drink.Let’s go.”
* * *
The caravan campbustled with energy.Lanterns hung between the wagons made the canopy of golden autumn leaves above us glow, while crystal charms caught the late sunlight.The rich smells of roasted chestnuts, spiced cider, and fresh bread mingled with the damp grass beneath my boots.Around the central fire, musicians played a lively tune, tambourines and fiddles filling the air.The murmur of familiar voices rose above the music.
I barely had time to take it in before the shouts began.
“Tansy!Look, it’s Tansy!”
“Tansy and Bromir!”
“Tansy, you gave us a fright!”
Within seconds, my caravan family engulfed me.Cheers erupted as they pulled me into tight hugs, one after another.Cooper clapped me on the back, his face bright with relief.“You had us worried, Tansy.When your horse returned riderless, we didn’t know what to think.The barkeep told us there is a massive dragon in the forest.We started wondering if maybe it had snatched you.”
Before I could respond, Jonsie chimed in with a grin.“Yeah, but then I reminded them dragons only eat virgins, which ruled you out immediately.”
Laughter rippled through the crowd, and I rolled my eyes despite my smile.“Very funny,” I shot back.
Through the crowd, I spotted Wendy settled in her usual spot by the fire, her knitting needles clicking steadily.The sight of her working on one of her socks made me pause.The hedgehog pattern taking shape on the heel was exactly like the one on the pair of socks Kellen had given me.Of course.He must have bought them from her at last year’s festival.
“Tansy!”Wendy cried, setting aside her knitting and rushing over to wrap her arms around my legs—as high as the small gnome could reach.“Don’t you ever frighten us like that again!”
I hugged her back, smiling at her familiar warmth while my mind lingered on the connection to Kellen.“I missed you too, Wendy.”
As the laughter faded, Misty stepped forward, her silver-streaked hair catching the lantern light.Her sharp eyes held a seriousness that quieted the others.“I couldn’t find you, Tansy,” she said, her voice low.“Not in the crystals, not in the cards, not even in the elements.It was as if something blocked you from my sight.For a while, I feared you’d fallen to a dark mage.”
A ripple of unease passed through the group, but I laughed lightly.“Nothing so dramatic.Actually, it’s pretty funny.That nag I bought to ride to Moonshine Hollow spooked over some brownies and threw me.I hit my head.Unconscious.Kellen, the Guardian of Silver Vale, looked after me as I recovered.”
Misty nodded, then smiled softly.She could read through anyone.While the others nodded and laughed, her eyes told me she’d already seen the truth.She took my hand and squeezed it gently.“I’m glad all is well with you now, Tansy.In body,” she said, lowering her voice, “and in spirit.”
“Yes.Yes, it is,” I replied, kissing her cheek, which made her laugh.“Well,” I said, brushing my hands together, “now that we’ve confirmed I’m alive and well, I have work to do.The gods know Bromir hasn’t picked up the slack in my absence.”
The others chuckled.
“If you mean the pints you missed, he was all over that,” Cooper told me.
“Hey now, I am the one who found Tansy, after all.Give me some credit,” Bromir called.
The others laughed, gave me their well-wishes once more, then departed.
I joined Bromir, who was leaning against his wagon, his arms crossed over his broad chest.“I need to visit Juniper,” I told him.“With all the delay, I’m afraid I’m too late.”
“The flat over the shop?”Bromir asked.
I nodded.
“So you will stay the winter.”
