Page 38 of Must Love Lavender and Little Lies
Inside, I heard Juniper calling out in singsong to Pip, the sound of her voice filling my heart and bringing a smile to my face. And no matter what thoughts came to mind over the accidental kiss, that smile just wouldn’t go away.
CHAPTER 13
JUNIPER
Iwoke up the next morning with a mild headache. Sitting up in bed, I groaned lightly and tried to remember where I’d put the morning dew tonic, which would clear the wine-ache away. But as the fog cleared and the night came into focus, I remembered the kiss.
“Oh, root rot,” I whispered, my fingers lifting to my lips.
The initial moment of remembrance and the terrible sense of worry and embarrassment that swelled up in me was quickly replaced by a smile. How tender Granik had been, how sweet. I remembered the feel of him pressed against me, and the gentle way he was careful when his tusks pressed against my cheeks.
It was the best kiss I’d ever had.
But now… Well, Granik knew I’d had too much to drink. He’d probably think the whole thing was simply a drunken mistake, which it probably was. We both had our heads on backward with everything going on. This only complicated matters.
“Ugh, Pip. How have I managed to make things worse?” I said, tossing myself back onto the bed. “This is Emmalyn’s fault. She brought my favorite wine.”
After I dragged myself out of bed and found a tonic, I started to feel better. I washed up and dressed in a pretty green gownwith embroidered daffodils, grabbed my basket, and headed into town.
The sun was shining brightly. Pink-blossomed dogwood trees lined the road from my cottage to town. I could smell all the sweet scents of bread baking and meat roasting even before I arrived in Moonshine Hollow. Music drifted from the festival grounds. Tonight, the Greening celebration would host bards and bands. There would be dancing, drinking, and food galore. The whole town would be out to celebrate.
Since it was early in the morning, everyone was just starting to set out their wares for the stuff swap. I waved to a few friends as I hurried to my shop along the river. When I arrived at Thistle and Thyme, I found that Tansy was already working. Along with her was Kellen, the dryad guardian of Silver Vale Forest and Tansy’s love.
“Guardian,” I said, giving him a slight bow.
“Good morning, Juniper. I’ve been enlisted to help carry tables.”
“And you’re so good at it,” Tansy said, patting him on the cheek and making him laugh. “Is two enough, Juniper?”
“Maybe three. We ended up with a lot of seedling pots.”
“Three it is. So, how was last night? Granik’s family arrived, didn’t they?”
“They did. It was a nice night, apart from all the lying.”
“Remember, you are doing a good thing.”
“Right up until the part where we have to fake a breakup and the family faces shame in their community.”
Tansy gave me a sympathetic smile. “I’m sure that won’t happen. There has to be another way. Have faith.”
I nodded, but it felt empty.
Kellen studied me for a moment, then set his hand on my shoulder. “Do not despair. The answer to this problem is lookingfor you. Listen to what the wind whispers. You’re an herbalist, after all. All the natural world has answers for you.”
“Thank you, Guardian.”
“Enough waxing philosophical. Tables, my horned hotness!” Tansy told him.
At that, Kellen laughed, and then the pair departed.
After they left, I went to help Polly, who was loading all the pots and jars we hoped to swap, as well as the seedling pots, into a cart.
“Oh, I hope Silverna comes by with her soaps,” Polly told me.
“If she doesn’t, you can always take the wagon and visit her. We can take turns.”
“We should! I know how you love to bargain with the Master Oakenstaff,” she said, referring to a woodworker whose tools I adored.
