Page 58 of Must Love Lavender and Little Lies
“I got it.”
As we passed Sir Hootington’s, we both paused to see Portia at the window.
“Portia,” I called. “We’re getting married. No bachelor announcement for me.”
Portia grinned and gave us a short bow. She then turned to her owl, who bobbed his head in the same fashion.
Juniper chuckled. “I swear, he acts so personable at times.”
We gave her a wave, then headed on to Thistle and Thyme, stopping at the garden gate.
“Thank you for walking me, fiancé.”
“You’re very welcome, my future bride,” I said, then smiled softly. “I don’t know what the family will have me busy with, but I’ll see you later.”
She nodded, her bright eyes shining in the morning light. I touched her cheek, realizing her whole face fit into my hand. There she was, my whole world. And I had loved her for so long, I hadn’t even realized it.
“See you soon,” I said, leaning in and kissing her on the forehead.
“See you soon,” she whispered in reply, then turned and headed inside.
I lingered a moment, watching the fairies flutter across her garden. A moment later, from within the shop, I heard Tansy’s and Polly’s voices light up in excited cheers.
My whole world.
Every day forward, I would dedicate my life to her happiness, because she was everything to me.
CHAPTER 21
JUNIPER
To say Polly and Tansy were excited was an understatement, but with the business of the Greening, the fact that I was getting married the next morning faded into the background, but in the best way possible. It sat in the background the way the sound of windchimes or the scent of baking cookies does, lingering there unseen but making life so much better.
By late afternoon, however, Zarina arrived to usher me from the apothecary to her sister’s dress shop.
“Okay, Juniper, enough with the plants already. My sister sent me to bring you for a final fitting to make sure your dress is perfect.
I looked down at my dirt-covered hands. “But I?—”
“Go wash up,” Polly told me with a swish of her bushy tail. “We’re almost done here today. I’ll finish with the bulbs. I’ve been nagging her all day to go,” Polly told Zarina. “Neither Tansy nor I could get her to move.”
“But there’s so much work to do. It’s spring, and I run an apothecary,” I protested with a laugh. “It’s not like I actually planned on getting married.”
“And yet, here we are,” Zarina replied with a laugh that made her curls bounce. “Go wash up, then let’s go!”
I pulled off my apron then headed to the back, taking my time to wash up and let the awareness of my pending nuptials seep in more deeply. The more I allowed myself to steep in the knowing, the wider my smile grew.
I was going to marry Granik.
My best friend was about to be my husband.
What could be better?
After a good scrub, I joined Zarina, and we made our way back across town.
“I need to make a stop at the inn,” she said, referring to her mother’s business. “My mother needs me to take something to my sister. Oh, look!” she said, pointing to Miss Lacey, who was selling Greening brew, a special bean that, when brewed, resulted in the most delightful shimmering green color. “Let’s get some drinks. My treat for the bride.”
Grabbing two Greening brews, we made our way to The Fablewick Inn. I had always admired the place. I’d been there a few times for their high tea offering, but had never stayed in the inn itself. The two-story stone inn had a large front porch with plentiful rocking chairs. Window boxes dressed the upstairs windows and were brimming with early-spring flowers. Even walking by the place, you could always catch the subtle scent of gardenia and fresh linens.
