Page 26 of Must Love Lavender and Little Lies
She’s dreaming.
I slipped back downstairs, stoked her fire once more, then headed out, making sure the door was locked behind me.
“Sorry, old friend,” I told my horse, Angus, as I climbed into the wagon. We headed off to my farm.
While cool, it was a beautiful night. The moon was high in the sky. It was evening, so those things that stirred while others slept were about. Fairies zipped across the blue-toned fields, silver shimmering streaks trailing behind them. Moonbandits barked to one another and hurried through the forest. I even caught sight of a clutch of rare luna dragons, their wings silvery, gliding over the fields.
Finally, the farm came into sight.
I took Angus to the barn, giving him an extra scoop of oats as an apology, then went back to the house.
It was quiet inside, the grandfather clock ticking gently in the living room. With all the animals sleeping, this time of night was still. Only the cheddar mice were busy at work, scurrying alongto tend to their magic, keeping all the food in the pantry fresh and safe and working their enchantments on the goat cheese.
The house was calm.
Peaceful.
And lonely.
Maybe this was why orcs had the tradition to marry no later than the thirtieth year. I was an old bachelor by orcish standards. All my siblings were married and had children.
And I had…a fake fiancée.
My family would be here soon, and I would have to lie through my teeth to them. I hated the idea of it. But I hated the idea of marrying someone I didn’t love even more.
Groaning, I rose to go upstairs where I’d tried to forget the whole thing for just a moment.
But even as I did, I remembered the look on Juniper’s face when I proposed to her. So serene. So beautiful. One day, some other man would make her look like thatfor real.
The thought of it made me feel sick.
“Okay, that’s enough,” I said, then snatched a bottle of dwarven whiskey from the cabinet as I made my way. Two swigs of that, and I wouldn’t be able to think clearly about anything anymore, including the idea that one day, Juniper would marry someone else.
CHAPTER 9
JUNIPER
Iarrived at Thistle and Thyme the next morning to find Tansy waiting for me, a smile on her face.
“Well,” she said excitedly. “Tell me. How are things?”
“Things are…fine,” I said, thoughfinefelt like the wrong word entirely. I’d woken in the middle of the night to find myself in bed, a blanket tucked around me. The memory of being carried was dim and warm at the edges. I vaguely remembered the feel of Granik’s strong arms, the scent of lavender, the fleeting thought that I hadn’t wanted him to put me down. “It’s not a real engagement, you know.”
“Of course,” Tansy said with a grin. “But it’s still… Do you like the ring?”
“I love it,” I said, holding out my hand to admire her craftsmanship. “It’s the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen. Thank you, Tansy.”
“It was my pleasure. Granik wanted something special for you. I offered him my premade rings, but he wanted something just for you.”
“That was very thoughtful,” I said, my stomach twisting oddly.
“So, when do the parents arrive?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Oh, boy,” Tansy said with a laugh. “Have you met them before?”
“Yes. They’re very sweet, they’re just…a lot.”
