Page 36 of A Winter Courtship

“Almost forgot.” Ulrich picked it up off the table and pinned it to his coat. He smiled at the gift.

What would my father think of such a gift?

His throat tightened at the unpleasant thought. He could see the sneer on his father’s face. “Why would you wear something like that?” He could hear the disgust dripping from his voice. “Too pretty. Too dainty.” His gaze would rise from the gift and focus on Ulrich. “Completely useless. Like you.”

But his father didn’t leave his cabin often in winter. He dropped by the smithy every week or two. And he’d already been by a couple of days ago. Other than that, he normally only went to the store. Which he visited in the morning. They wouldn’t run into his father if they were just going for a walk in the forest.

Lutoth smiled at him as they left the cabin. “We need to go to the store first.” Lutoth’s eyes twinkled. “I have something I need to do there.”

Bile rose in Ulrich’s throat. “Maybe we could go later in the day?”

“I’ll just be quick. Promise,” Lutoth said.

Ulrich remained silent. He couldn’t bring himself to say he didn’t want to go to the store in case they ran into his father. As they walked, Ulrich remained on alert, casting his gaze in the direction of his father’s house.

“Morning,” Rhorton boomed as they entered the store.

“Morning,” Lutoth and Ulrich said.

“Oh! The berries and flowers look so beautiful, Ulrich. Were they a gift from Lutoth?” Mila came forward, reached out, and touched the gift.

“They were,” Ulrich said.

She clasped her hands together. “You make such a wonderful couple. Don’t they, Rhorton?”

“They do,” Rhorton said. “We got some smoked sausage from Castle Evermore yesterday. You should grab some before it sells out. Mila cut a couple up and put them into a lentil stew last night, and it was delicious!”

“We’ll take a few,” Ulrich said and then began to pick up some other food items, constantly glancing at the door.

Lutoth whispered to Mila. No doubt something to do with his Solstice gifts.

The door opened. Ulrich’s spine straightened. He let out a breath.

An oread entered. Ulrich had seen him a couple of times in the village but hadn’t spoken to the newcomer. The man saw Ulrich and Lutoth and smiled.

“Morning, Orteo,” Rhorton said.

“Lutoth, Ulrich, have you met Orteo?” Mila said. “He is helping look after Gael, a lord from Castle Evermore. The man sprained his ankle and is resting in Sariah’s cabin.”

Ulrich had heard something about that.

“Happy Solstice,” Lutoth greeted. “I’m Lutoth, and that is Ulrich.”

Ulrich nodded. “Morning.”

“How is Gael doing today?” Mila asked Orteo.

“He’s well and continuing to recover.” Orteo picked up some cheese and a jar of jam. “And can I take a loaf of bread and some Solstice cookies? Do you have any more of that sausage you had yesterday? Gael liked that.”

“We do,” Mila said.

With his package of food, Orteo said goodbye with a smile and left the store.

“And what are you two doing for Solstice Eve?” Mila asked. “Oh! You should eat here. I’m putting on a big meal. Everyone is welcome.” She clapped her hands together.

“Sounds lovely,” Lutoth said.

“I can’t,” Ulrich said. “I’ll be at my father’s.”