Page 52 of Final Shift
Truer words had never been spoken.
Moira showedup for breakfast the next morning bearing fresh-baked muffins and scones. Rowan and I were sitting on the patio when we heard her footsteps coming up the drive. We always made extra coffee for her because we never knew when she was going to show up.
Moira didn't like to eat alone. I discovered this years ago and always tried to include her in dinner and lunch plans, never letting on that I knew. Now, I think she felt a little like a third wheel with Rowan in the picture, but she still sought us out a few times a week for breakfast or dinner.
Ash told me she did the same with them which made me feel better. Moira, despite her occasional grumpiness, needed people. She was thriving on Rowan's land in some ways. Her skin was brighter and she had more time than ever to focus on baking and making new tea blends. But I sensed a bone deep loneliness inside her. She missed us, even though we all lived on the same property.
I didn't know how to help her. Ethan's presence riled her up and made her focus on other things beside herself for a while,but his presence was sporadic. This wasn't his territory, even though Rowan had been extra lenient with Ethan's presence on his land.
Not many Lords would be, especially not if they weren't friends.
But like me, Rowan had recognized something between Moira and Ethan. No one knew how it would play out, but Rowan thought it was worth allowing a little leniency.
Even if it was only for the entertainment value those two brought when they clashed.
“Chocolate chip or blueberry?” Moira asked as she opened the basket.
“Chocolate chip,” I said, just as Rowan said, “blueberry.”
Moira passed us each a muffin over. “I brought cinnamon scones, too.”
“Yes, please!” I made a gimme gesture.
Moira grinned and passed a scone over, too.
“Unlike my wife, I am not greedy.” Rowan winked to soften his words. “I'll wait until I finish this first.”
“More for me,” I proclaimed.
Moira was wearing a pair of buttery brown leggings and a cream colored off-shoulder top. Her hair was down and much longer than I was used to seeing. She'd let it grow since she'd come to Emberwood, and now it fell in a dark silky sheet down her back. Moira never wore much makeup, but today her face was completely bare, showcasing her poreless and perfect skin, but also highlighting the shadows underneath her eyes.
I reached over and nudged her knee. “You can come over any time you want to, you know.”
Moira rolled her eyes. “You and your tender heart, Evie Quinn. It's gonna get you one day.”
“It already has,” Rowan said. “After all, she has me and all this.” He waved his hand around to encompass his stunningland.Ourstunning land, I should say. I'd never get used to this feeling of having so much.
“I've always admired how humble you are, Rowan.”
He grinned at Moira. “Yes, well, humbleness is one of my many talents.”
The scone she made melted in my mouth. Buttery and flaky with a crunchy sugar crust, I couldn't speak until I finished the entire thing. “You should have a bakery portion in your tea shop. These are phenomenal.”
Moira looked uncomfortable. She looked away and sighed.
I sat a little straighter. “Moira?”
“About that.” She fidgeted. Moira never fidgeted. “Ethan asked me to come to his territory for a little while.”
Rowan's eyes narrowed. “Oh?” His voice was deceptively casual.
“I told him no.” But her expression told me her answer wasn't the end of this.
“Then why are you acting weird? And why does he want you to live on his territory? What's wrong with Rowan's?” Ethan wasn't as terrible as I first thought he was, but there was no reason I could think of for Moira to move to his lands.
Moira sighed. “He needs help with something and believes I'd be more successful than he was.”
Rowan sat back and slowly chewed on his scone. “Can you share the reason?”
