Page 40 of Must Love Moss and Moonshine
The squirrel chirped enthusiastically.
“You think so too?”I asked, managing a small smile.
Marvelle squeaked again, his tail flicking.
I smiled softly.“I know what to do.And I know just who to ask to help me.”
I set down the stone and rose and went to the bed.
Marvelle clicked questioningly at me.“Move aside, little one.I need to get my sleep.Tomorrow will be a very exciting day,” I said, unable to control the smile lighting up my face.My thoughts were filled with hope and determination.This time, I wouldn’t let fear hold me back.
CHAPTER20
TANSY
Unfortunately, nothing was to be done about the stall beside the goats, so Bromir and I returned to the camp.That night, as we prepared our goods for the market the following day, I teased Bromir relentlessly about how we would both starve all winter thanks to him.
“Not me,” Bromir said.“I’ll be warm in the halls of Ironmist Mountain.I already have my orders from the dwarven lords.You enchant some jewels for me, and I’ll be on my way.”
“Sending me back my portion of the profit, of course.”
“Oh, of course… When I remember.”
“Bromir!”
“Don’t worry, Tansy.The good people of Moonshine Hollow always give alms to the poor and needy.”
I frowned hard at him.
“Besides,” he said with a smirk, “I suspect you’ll be spending the winter cuddling with a certain someone.”
“I don’t know that, Bromir,” I said, adjusting the clasp on the amethyst stone necklace on my makeshift workbench.“I need to talk to Kellen.Maybe I’m making too much of this.Maybe it’s nothing at all to him.We barely know each other.”
Bromir grunted, hammering softly at a piece of gold wire.“You’re overthinking again, lass.Something tells me he’s not into flings.”
I sighed.“I only hope we can stay friends, even if we can’t be something more.”But the idea that Kellen might not want to be with me after everything filled me with a gnawing dread.My heart was already his, though I doubted he knew it.I had to see him again, if only to be sure of what he felt—or didn’t.
At least I knew where I could find him.If he didn’t come to see me as he promised, he’d be meeting Juniper to deliver the moonshine plant.I would wait for him at Thistle and Thyme.
Trying to turn my thoughts from Kellen, I dove into my work.Bromir and I made various jewelry, tools, and organized the cases that would display our wares.I enchanted several stones to have on hand for custom orders.Later, we ate a quick meal by the fire before settling into the wagon for the night.
“When will you move into the flat over Juniper’s shop?”Bromir asked as he rolled out his blanket.He tried to hide it, but I heard the tremor of sadness in his voice.
“Hopefully this week.Maybe even tomorrow,” I said, lying down beside him.
“I’ll help you move your things,” he offered, his voice steady but edged with something he was trying to hide.
I turned to him, my chest tightening.Bromir was the best friend I’d ever had.He was gruff and unruly, but we understood each other in ways no one else did.He knew I’d been running from a constant, quiet feeling of not belonging, and I knew he’d never felt truly at home among his dwarven kin.Raised on the road by his traveling metalworker parents, Bromir had a dozen aunts and uncles in Ironmist Mountain, but his heart had never settled there.He’d once loved a dwarven woman enough to propose, but the relationship had ended in disaster.Since then, Bromir had been committed to the road, our business, and a life without ties.
“You’ll be all right,” I said gently.“Of course, you’ll miss me terribly, but you’ll survive that.I’ll get you stocked—everything that sells well and everything people ask for.If you run out, just send a messenger, and I’ll see to it.”
“And if this”—he gestured vaguely—“whatever it is with Kellen sours?”
“Then I’ll probably be back on the road before you even miss me.”
Bromir smiled faintly, shaking his head.“It’s all right, lass.I’ll miss you, but don’t fuss over it.Now let’s stop with the chatter and get some sleep.We’ve got customers to see—and goats to tolerate—tomorrow.”
“Oh, I can’t wait for the goats,” I teased.
