Page 67 of Must Love Lavender and Little Lies
“It’s perfect.”
She gestured to the back lot of the farm, where bonfires were already burning and meat was roasting. There, tables had been set up, their gingham tablecloths fluttering in the breeze. From a distance, I could see flowers in mason jars on the tables anda bounty of food was already laid out. “I have an enchantment on everything, keeping all the food fresh until its time. I also warded it against Stevenson,” she said, referring to the little red bookwyrm who had been by very early this morning to tug on my hair. I still hadn’t understood the meaning of that.
“Now all we need is Juniper,” she added with a smile.
“That’s all I need.”
Primrose smiled. “I’m glad your heart finally told you so. And that’s a very nice new suit. Sorry you had to buy a new one,” she told me with a wink.
“My old one served its purpose well. And where is Erasmus this morning?” I asked, referring to Primrose’s gargoyle partner.
“Ensuring the townspeople arrive on time,” she said, gesturing back toward Moonshine Hollow. The crowd had begun to turn down the lane toward the farm. “Between him and my mother, they have it covered.”
We both laughed.
Primrose smiled gently at me. “I’m so happy for you,” she told me, but then a small bell chimed. “That’s my alarm,” she said, then turned to my family. “Granik’s family, our guests are about to arrive, and the bride is behind them. Let me help you all to your places.”
Elder Thornberry, the chief elder who had already arrived, appeared by my side.
“Well, Granik, I have been briefed on some orcish wedding traditions, and Master Mirefoot has agreed to stand beside me at the wedding ceremony today to see that everything is done properly. Are you ready, young man?”
“I am.”
“Jolly good, jolly good. Let’s get in place then, shall we?”
Suddenly feeling as though I had butterflies the size of mountain dragons in the pit of my stomach, I went to the front of the pavilion where Master Mirefoot was speaking to Gree-Gree.They were chatting over orcish customs when Gree-Gree turned to the loving cup sitting on the flower-bedecked barrel at the altar.
“Hmm,” Gree-Gree said, lifting the cup to take a sniff.
“Had a bit of bogshine of my own stock,” Master Mirefoot said. “Can’t say it’s the best bogshine out there. I haven’t touched the stuff since my youth.”
“Well, I can see to a fresh batch,” Gree-Gree said, gesturing for me to empty the cup while she pulled a flask from her pocket.
“Gree-Gree,” I said.
“Hurry, now. Before the others get here.”
I did as I was told, returning the loving cup to the makeshift altar.
Gree-Gree poured the amber-colored liquid from her own flask into the cup. “I believe that will do,” she said.
Primrose’s invisible alarm chimed once more.
“Guests,” Primrose called happily to the arriving townspeople. “Let’s take our seats,” she said, waving everyone inside. “The bride is almost here.”
I turned and looked back at the arriving guests. It seemed like all of Moonshine Hollow had turned out to see Juniper and me get married. For some reason, the thought of it made something in my heart settle. There was no reason to be nervous. I was marrying Juniper. A lifetime of happiness awaited me.
CHAPTER 25
JUNIPER
Primrose’s parents’ self-driving wagon arrived bedecked in flowers to take us to Granik’s farm. Emmalyn scooped up Pip, who was now wearing a fancy green bow, and the rest of us settled into the wagon, the others helping me aboard.
“Nervous?” Tansy asked, slipping onto the front seat beside me.
“Um,” I said, thinking for a moment. “Oddly, no.”
Tansy took my hand. “That means it’s right.”
