Page 20 of Must Love Moss and Moonshine (Moonshine Hollow)

TANSY

T he halo of noise and light that engulfed me was nearly deafening.

I steadied myself, reaching out for Bromir’s familiar shoulder as I swayed.

When the world came into sharper view, I saw we were standing in a glade by Silver River, not far from the road that led into Moonshine Hollow.

Children played across the river in a field at the edge of town, chasing one another with ribbons attached to sticks.

The colorful banners drifted behind them, held aloft, it seemed, by their laughter.

I closed my eyes, soaking in the sounds.

Beyond the children’s play came the bustling sounds of the village—people, music, animals, and the ringing of hammers.

Two conflicting feelings washed over me: joy at the familiar sounds and smells of the village and deep worry that Kellen would not come, that the reality of who I really was would prove too much for him.

I lived surrounded by people and noise, never staying in one place long.

He was a man of solitude and the forest. He stayed, I moved. We were so different.

There hadn’t been enough time to make him understand that I was ready for a change.

There hadn’t been enough time to tell him how deeply I cared for him.

My hand instinctively went to where my belt should have been, remembering too late that I’d left it at his cottage in my rushed departure. My tools, coin purse, and everything I typically carried close were still there, including the forest quartz.

I sighed heavily.

“You all right, lass?” Bromir asked.

“My heart might be breaking, but otherwise, yes.”

“Knew as soon as I saw your face. Of course you would fall for a dryad.”

“What’s wrong with a dryad?”

“Nothing at all. It’s just there wasn’t a man in this realm—not orc, elf, human, gnome, pixie, dwarf, or otherwise—that could interest you for more than a night. You needed and deserved someone special. It seems like the forest served just what you sought.”

“And more.”

“Fell in love, did you?”

“Head over. At first sight, like in a bard’s tale.”

“Don’t your people have a name for that? The true love match?”

“A glimmer.”

“Glimmer. Aye. Well, you best let the others know where you’ve been before Jonsie starts singing your funeral lament. And after all these theatrics, I won’t hear anything from you about our booth placement.”

“Oh no,” I said, looking at him. “Don’t tell me?—”

“Well, you wanted to be close to the food stalls. In a way, you are.”

“No, Bromir. Not the animal pens.”

“Yes, Tansy. Hope you like goats. We’ll be making friends with them for the next week. Nothing like the fine perfume of goat dung in the air to help make a sale,” he said, then slapped me jokingly on the back.

When I stiffened, he paused.

“Tansy, you all right?”

Moving gently, I felt my ribs and then nodded. “Yes. Perfectly fine now. I had some bruised ribs, but Kellen gave me a healing tonic. They’re fully healed.”

“Good lad, that dryad.”

“Yes. Yes, he is. And I suspect you’re the first to call him a lad in a century.”

At that, Bromir laughed. “I need a drink. Let’s go.”

* * *

The caravan camp bustled with energy. Lanterns hung between the wagons made the canopy of golden autumn leaves above us glow, while crystal charms caught the late sunlight.

The rich smells of roasted chestnuts, spiced cider, and fresh bread mingled with the damp grass beneath my boots.

Around the central fire, musicians played a lively tune, tambourines and fiddles filling the air.

The murmur of familiar voices rose above the music.

I barely had time to take it in before the shouts began.

“Tansy! Look, it’s Tansy!”

“Tansy and Bromir!”

“Tansy, you gave us a fright!”

Within seconds, my caravan family engulfed me.

Cheers erupted as they pulled me into tight hugs, one after another.

Cooper clapped me on the back, his face bright with relief.

“You had us worried, Tansy. When your horse returned riderless, we didn’t know what to think.

The barkeep told us there is a massive dragon in the forest. We started wondering if maybe it had snatched you. ”

Before I could respond, Jonsie chimed in with a grin. “Yeah, but then I reminded them dragons only eat virgins, which ruled you out immediately.”

Laughter rippled through the crowd, and I rolled my eyes despite my smile. “Very funny,” I shot back.

Through the crowd, I spotted Wendy settled in her usual spot by the fire, her knitting needles clicking steadily.

The sight of her working on one of her socks made me pause.

The hedgehog pattern taking shape on the heel was exactly like the one on the pair of socks Kellen had given me.

Of course. He must have bought them from her at last year’s festival.

“Tansy!” Wendy cried, setting aside her knitting and rushing over to wrap her arms around my legs—as high as the small gnome could reach. “Don’t you ever frighten us like that again!”

I hugged her back, smiling at her familiar warmth while my mind lingered on the connection to Kellen. “I missed you too, Wendy.”

As the laughter faded, Misty stepped forward, her silver-streaked hair catching the lantern light.

Her sharp eyes held a seriousness that quieted the others.

“I couldn’t find you, Tansy,” she said, her voice low.

“Not in the crystals, not in the cards, not even in the elements. It was as if something blocked you from my sight. For a while, I feared you’d fallen to a dark mage. ”

A ripple of unease passed through the group, but I laughed lightly.

“Nothing so dramatic. Actually, it’s pretty funny.

That nag I bought to ride to Moonshine Hollow spooked over some brownies and threw me.

I hit my head. Unconscious. Kellen, the Guardian of Silver Vale, looked after me as I recovered. ”

Misty nodded, then smiled softly. She could read through anyone. While the others nodded and laughed, her eyes told me she’d already seen the truth. She took my hand and squeezed it gently. “I’m glad all is well with you now, Tansy. In body,” she said, lowering her voice, “and in spirit.”

“Yes. Yes, it is,” I replied, kissing her cheek, which made her laugh. “Well,” I said, brushing my hands together, “now that we’ve confirmed I’m alive and well, I have work to do. The gods know Bromir hasn’t picked up the slack in my absence.”

The others chuckled.

“If you mean the pints you missed, he was all over that,” Cooper told me.

“Hey now, I am the one who found Tansy, after all. Give me some credit,” Bromir called.

The others laughed, gave me their well-wishes once more, then departed.

I joined Bromir, who was leaning against his wagon, his arms crossed over his broad chest. “I need to visit Juniper,” I told him. “With all the delay, I’m afraid I’m too late.”

“The flat over the shop?” Bromir asked.

I nodded.

“So you will stay the winter.”

“If she still has the place. Kellen… Bromir, I?—”

“No need to explain more, lass. Your pupils are heart-shaped, and I know when there’s no sense trying to talk you out of something.

I’ll be all right. They sent a big order down from Ironmist Mountain.

I’ll be fine for coin. Go and talk to Juniper.

After that, I’ll meet you at the market so you can see the excellent placement I’ve procured for us. ”

“Goats.”

He laughed.

I groaned. “Really, Bromir? Couldn’t you have done better?”

“Just follow your nose,” he said with a grin, tapping the side of his large nose.

“Are you sure there were no stalls left near the flower market? Or the food market? Or even the haberdashers? A little silver in someone’s pocket could have managed a better spot.”

“Ah, blame me, will you?” Bromir said, his voice dripping with mock innocence. “Let’s not forget why I was late.”

“Because you were drinking at Silverpine Village.”

“Because I was looking for you.”

“It’s not my fault I lost my memory,” I said with a playful sigh. “All right. I’ll meet you by the livestock yard,” I added with a groan, then turned and headed toward the cobblestone road away from the caravan camp, following the path into town.

The surface of Silver River shimmered in the fading light. I crossed one of three bridges that led into Moonshine Hollow. Behind me, the forest stretched on, dark and magical, while the town ahead glowed with life.

Crossing the wooden bridge, I followed the cobblestone road into town.

Banners of ruby red, sunset orange, deep purple, and glimmering gold swayed from the lampposts, bearing the emblem of the Hollow—a massive tree silhouetted by a full moon.

Pumpkins, sunflowers, and bundles of wheat decorated doorways, and cheerful chatter echoed through the streets.

I made my way down the main thoroughfare toward the square at the heart of the city.

Every building was adorned with fall décor, and the whole town brimmed with people and excitement.

A crowd gathered around a puppet show outside the theater gates.

The children laughed loudly at the antics on display, which included a baker being chased by a dragon.

Another group crowded around a man juggling various items, including a squawking chicken.

“I reassure you, folks, Agatha does this every day. She loves it,” the juggler said, referring to the chicken, who did seem rather joyful.

A lute player’s music drifted through the air from a few streets over.

Moonshine Hollow was as enchanting as ever.