Page 36 of Must Love Moss and Moonshine
“If she still has the place.Kellen… Bromir, I?—”
“No need to explain more, lass.Your pupils are heart-shaped, and I know when there’s no sense trying to talk you out of something.I’ll be all right.They sent a big order down from Ironmist Mountain.I’ll be fine for coin.Go and talk to Juniper.After that, I’ll meet you at the market so you can see the excellent placement I’ve procured for us.”
“Goats.”
He laughed.
I groaned.“Really, Bromir?Couldn’t you have done better?”
“Just follow your nose,” he said with a grin, tapping the side of his large nose.
“Are you sure there were no stalls left near the flower market?Or the food market?Or even the haberdashers?A little silver in someone’s pocket could have managed a better spot.”
“Ah, blame me, will you?”Bromir said, his voice dripping with mock innocence.“Let’s not forget why I was late.”
“Because you were drinking at Silverpine Village.”
“Because I was looking for you.”
“It’s not my fault I lost my memory,” I said with a playful sigh.“All right.I’ll meet you by the livestock yard,” I added with a groan, then turned and headed toward the cobblestone road away from the caravan camp, following the path into town.
The surface of Silver River shimmered in the fading light.I crossed one of three bridges that led into Moonshine Hollow.Behind me, the forest stretched on, dark and magical, while the town ahead glowed with life.
Crossing the wooden bridge, I followed the cobblestone road into town.Banners of ruby red, sunset orange, deep purple, and glimmering gold swayed from the lampposts, bearing the emblem of the Hollow—a massive tree silhouetted by a full moon.Pumpkins, sunflowers, and bundles of wheat decorated doorways, and cheerful chatter echoed through the streets.
I made my way down the main thoroughfare toward the square at the heart of the city.Every building was adorned with fall décor, and the whole town brimmed with people and excitement.A crowd gathered around a puppet show outside the theater gates.The children laughed loudly at the antics on display, which included a baker being chased by a dragon.Another group crowded around a man juggling various items, including a squawking chicken.
“I reassure you, folks, Agatha does this every day.She loves it,” the juggler said, referring to the chicken, who did seem rather joyful.
A lute player’s music drifted through the air from a few streets over.
Moonshine Hollow was as enchanting as ever.
I turned onto a quiet side street and headed to Juniper’s shop, which sat on a corner at the edge of town.Thistle and Thyme was a two-story stone, wood-beam, and stucco building that seemed to lean slightly to the right.The building sat back from the street, its massive herb garden taking up more space than the building itself.The second-floor windows looked out at the river and the forest beyond.A wooden sign hung above the front door, displaying double Ts with sprigs of thistle and thyme plants and a potion bottle.Taking a deep breath, hoping I wasn’t too late, I opened the garden gate and crossed the stone path to the door.
The moment I stepped inside, the familiar herbal warmth enveloped me.Shelves crammed with jars of powders, bundles of herbs, and vials of glowing liquids lined the walls.Drying herbs hung from the rafters, and a cheery fire burned in the hearth.The entire place smelled of sage.In one corner, an enchanted harp played soft music.A soft jingling announced my arrival, and Juniper’s mosspup, Pippin, woke to greet me.Curled in a basket in the corner, he looked like a pile of moss—his species’ best defense.Their soft, green fur allowed them to blend with any landscape.He scampered happily across the shop toward me, his tail wagging.
“Pippin,” I said, bending to pet the excited dog.“Well, I am happy to see you too.”
“Tansy?”a voice called from the back.“Tansy, is that you?”Juniper emerged, her hands full of fresh mint.As always, I was struck by her natural beauty.Juniper never needed any kind of charm to enhance her curling, honey-brown hair, deep brown eyes, or perfect features.“By Gaia, I’m so relieved to see you,” she said, rushing across the room and pulling me into her arms.She squeezed me tightly and then let go.“Bromir’s been worried sick.Where have you been?”
I laughed lightly.“It’s a long story.I’ll tell you, but first, is the flat upstairs still available for winter?Please say yes.”
Her eyes widened.“You’re staying?Finally?”She grinned and set the mint aside.“It’s yours, of course.I even moved some boxes out of the way, just in case.Oh, Tansy, I’ve been waiting for you to say yes for years.”
“I think I’m ready to put down roots,” I admitted.“At least for the winter,” I said, my thoughts drifting to Kellen.“Maybe more.”
Juniper’s smile widened.“That’s the best news I’ve heard all season.Come,” she said, leading me to the table at the back of the shop.She poured me a cup of tea and shifted a basket of scones toward me.“Perfect timing.The tea is freshly brewed, and Rosalyn was just by with these.”
I lifted a scone, catching the sweet scents of lemon, rose petals, and…something magical.Rosalyn, a friend to both Juniper and me, was the pixie baker who owned The Sconery and Teashop.“Lemon, rose, and…” I lifted an eyebrow at Juniper.
“Relaxation,” Juniper said with a laugh.“Leave it to the Sylvan to immediately pick up on the spell.”
“I won’t let that wily pixie get anything past me,” I said, taking a bite.I sighed with delight.“Is there anything she can’t make?”
“Oh, don’t let her fool you.She bakes to perfection, but her cooking is a disaster.”
We both laughed.
