Page 12 of Must Love Lavender and Little Lies
Juniper blinked and stepped back.
I took a moment to steady myself, then turned and went to the barn door. “A rider.” I tried to sound calm, but my heart was slamming in my chest. What in the world was that? One moment we were joking around, and the next…
Juniper reached the door first and looked out. “It’s an orc,” she said. “I don’t know him.”
We went together to meet the stranger, only to realize it was not a stranger at all, but Larrik, a family friend.
“Larrik!” I called. “Fair greetings and merry met. Welcome to Moonshine Hollow.”
“Ah, there you are. Fair greetings and merry met.” Larrik dismounted and then pulled me into an embrace. “Well met, well met,” he said, and then his gaze shifted to Juniper.
“Juniper, this is Larrik Thundercap, a friend of the family. Larrik, this is Juniper Merrifrost. She owns the apothecary in Moonshine Hollow.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Juniper. I am on my way through Moonshine Hollow, taking a ferry upriver, but was tasked with delivering a message from your family.”
At that, I felt my smile fade. My stomach sank, and a feeling of dread washed over me.
“From my family?” I asked.
Larrik nodded. “Are you surprised, old friend? It’s your thirtieth, after all! Everyone is excited.”
“Excited for…?” Juniper asked, confused.
“For his wedding. Your parents have sent the details here,” Larrik said, pushing a letter toward me. “They’re expecting you to message in reply, let them know you got those details. But they want you to know that you’ll love Tigga. She’s a fine girl with a good head about her. I know, personally, that she’s an excellent cook. She’ll make a fine?—”
“Wait, what?” I asked, feeling my head grow fuzzy once more.
“Your marriage arrangement has been settled, since you couldn’t find a bride yourself,” Larrik said with a laugh. “Your parents have been interviewing candidates for weeks. It was the talk of Mossy Bog. Anyway, they’ll be here in three days with Tigga Grapplefist.”
“But I… Who… I don’t want to marry Tigga Grapplefist.”
Larrik slapped me on my shoulder. “Oh, come on, man. My marriage was arranged too, and I’m as happy as any orc can be. Breda is a wonderful wife. We even have another little one on the way. Once you get used to each other, everything will go as smooth butter.”
“You don’t understand,” I protested. “I can’t marry this Tigga girl. It’s not possible.”
“Why not?” Larrik asked, confused. “She’s a very pretty girl. Your parents worked hard to find you the right match. Every girl in Mossy Bog came under their scrutiny?—”
“I can’t marry her!” I exclaimed, more in panic than anything else. “I… I can’t.”
“Friend,” Larrik said, “I’m afraid you don’t have a choice. Itisthe custom. Your family will be here soon.”
“I can’t wed her.”
“Granik,” Juniper said softly.
“I can’t,” I said, feeling something like a panic attack swelling up in me.
Larrik paused. “Why not? Is there something more I’m missing here?”
“I can’t because… Because…” I fumbled.
“Because he’s marrying me,” Juniper said brightly.
At that, my heart skipped a beat. I turned and looked at Juniper, who was wearing a warm smile as she looked at Larrik. “Granik is marrying me. We just hadn’t had a chance to let Granik’s family know yet.”
“Marrying you?” Larrik asked, his eyes drifting to Juniper’s hand. “I see no ring.”
“We’re planting today,” Juniper said. “So, I kept it safely at home.”
