Page 23 of Must Love Moss and Moonshine (Moonshine Hollow)
TANSY
U nfortunately, nothing was to be done about the stall beside the goats, so Bromir and I returned to the camp. That night, as we prepared our goods for the market the following day, I teased Bromir relentlessly about how we would both starve all winter thanks to him.
“Not me,” Bromir said. “I’ll be warm in the halls of Ironmist Mountain. I already have my orders from the dwarven lords. You enchant some jewels for me, and I’ll be on my way.”
“Sending me back my portion of the profit, of course.”
“Oh, of course… When I remember.”
“Bromir!”
“Don’t worry, Tansy. The good people of Moonshine Hollow always give alms to the poor and needy.”
I frowned hard at him.
“Besides,” he said with a smirk, “I suspect you’ll be spending the winter cuddling with a certain someone.”
“I don’t know that, Bromir,” I said, adjusting the clasp on the amethyst stone necklace on my makeshift workbench. “I need to talk to Kellen. Maybe I’m making too much of this. Maybe it’s nothing at all to him. We barely know each other.”
Bromir grunted, hammering softly at a piece of gold wire. “You’re overthinking again, lass. Something tells me he’s not into flings.”
I sighed. “I only hope we can stay friends, even if we can’t be something more.
” But the idea that Kellen might not want to be with me after everything filled me with a gnawing dread.
My heart was already his, though I doubted he knew it.
I had to see him again, if only to be sure of what he felt—or didn’t.
At least I knew where I could find him. If he didn’t come to see me as he promised, he’d be meeting Juniper to deliver the moonshine plant. I would wait for him at Thistle and Thyme.
Trying to turn my thoughts from Kellen, I dove into my work.
Bromir and I made various jewelry, tools, and organized the cases that would display our wares.
I enchanted several stones to have on hand for custom orders.
Later, we ate a quick meal by the fire before settling into the wagon for the night.
“When will you move into the flat over Juniper’s shop?” Bromir asked as he rolled out his blanket. He tried to hide it, but I heard the tremor of sadness in his voice.
“Hopefully this week. Maybe even tomorrow,” I said, lying down beside him.
“I’ll help you move your things,” he offered, his voice steady but edged with something he was trying to hide.
I turned to him, my chest tightening. Bromir was the best friend I’d ever had.
He was gruff and unruly, but we understood each other in ways no one else did.
He knew I’d been running from a constant, quiet feeling of not belonging, and I knew he’d never felt truly at home among his dwarven kin.
Raised on the road by his traveling metalworker parents, Bromir had a dozen aunts and uncles in Ironmist Mountain, but his heart had never settled there.
He’d once loved a dwarven woman enough to propose, but the relationship had ended in disaster.
Since then, Bromir had been committed to the road, our business, and a life without ties.
“You’ll be all right,” I said gently. “Of course, you’ll miss me terribly, but you’ll survive that. I’ll get you stocked—everything that sells well and everything people ask for. If you run out, just send a messenger, and I’ll see to it.”
“And if this”—he gestured vaguely—“whatever it is with Kellen sours?”
“Then I’ll probably be back on the road before you even miss me.”
Bromir smiled faintly, shaking his head. “It’s all right, lass. I’ll miss you, but don’t fuss over it. Now let’s stop with the chatter and get some sleep. We’ve got customers to see—and goats to tolerate—tomorrow.”
“Oh, I can’t wait for the goats,” I teased.
That earned a hearty laugh, one that lingered on our lips as we drifted off to sleep.
* * *
As Bromir and I made our way through the fairgrounds the following day, I spotted a flash of blue wings. My heart lifted immediately when I spotted Rosalyn, owner of The Sconery and Teashop, and one of the most delightful souls in Moonshine Hollow.
“Rosalyn!” I called, weaving through the crowd toward her stall. She turned at the sound of my voice, her iridescent wings shimmering in the sunlight.
“Tansy!” she squealed, clapping her hands together as she flew across the lane to greet me. “I was hoping to see you today!” She pulled me into a surprisingly strong hug for someone so petite. “Tell me, is that grumpy dwarf of yours behaving himself?”
Bromir grunted behind me. “I’m standing right here, pixie.”
Rosalyn’s laugh was a bright, chiming sound as she darted around me to Bromir. “And still as grouchy as ever,” she said, pinching his cheek. “And as handsome,” she added with a flirtatious wink as she flitted back to her stall.
To my surprise, Bromir blushed.
“Come see what I’ve brought for the fair,” Rosalyn called, waving for us to join her.
Her table was laden with colorful treats: pumpkin moon tarts, their glowing filling almost too pretty to eat; twilight toffee apples that sparkled like the stars in their candy coating; and stacks of maple blossom cream puffs.
The scents of cinnamon, nutmeg, and warm maple syrup wafted from her stall, making my mouth water instantly, especially when I spotted her signature cinnamon ember bites.
I adored the crunchy, cinnamon-spiced apple chips that sparked like embers when you bit into them.
“I’ll take three packs of the cinnamon ember bites,” I said, reaching for my coin pouch.
“Of course, but you also need these.” Rosalyn held up a tray of golden scones, the maple glaze catching the sunlight. “Autumn glow scones,” she announced, her wings fluttering with pride. “Pumpkin, spice, and a touch of magic. They taste divine and bring good fortune.”
“Good fortune?” I asked.
“Absolutely,” Rosalyn said with a wink. “Eat one of these, and you might find a bit of luck in love, business, or whatever your heart desires. Last year, I sold one to a merchant who found his missing shipment of silver the very next day. Coincidence? I think not.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “You always know how to sell your wares, Rosalyn.”
“It’s not selling if it’s true!” she declared, handing me a warm scone. “Go on, try one.”
I took it from her hand and split it in half, sharing it with Bromir.
“Good fortune to you, partner,” I said. “We’ll need it today, goats and all.”
Bromir and I tapped our scone halves together in toast, laughed, then ate.
I took a bite. The blend of spices and sweet pumpkin melted in my mouth.
“Delicious,” I told her between bites.
Rosalyn beamed a smile at me as she boxed up my other treats with care. “These cinnamon bites have a little magic baked in, perfect for anyone needing a boost of cheer. Though,” she added with a sly look, “you seem to have a glow about you already.”
I tried not to blush. “It’s probably just the excitement of the fair.”
“Or something—or someone—else?” she teased, her wings fluttering mischievously.
I glanced over my shoulder, half hoping to spot Kellen in the crowd, but there was no sign of him. Still, I couldn’t help but feel like he was near. “I’m not sure yet,” I admitted softly. “Maybe.”
Rosalyn nodded, her expression softening. “Everything will work out, Tansy. Until then, at least you have pixie sweets to brighten your day.” She passed me the box with a wink. “On the house.”
“Rosalyn, no—” I began, but she waved me off.
“Consider it my contribution to a potential love story in the making, hmm? Now, off with you! Go dazzle the fair,” she told me, then looked at Bromir. “And if you are looking for a love story,” she added, giving him a sly grin, “you know where to find me.”
Bromir laughed.
I rolled my eyes at the pair of them, always flirting but not really meaning it. They were ridiculous—and hilarious.
Thanking Rosalyn profusely, Bromir and I continued on our way.
The cinnamon bites were as delicious as they looked, the warm autumn flavors of cinnamon and clove setting my tongue alight and filling my body with warmth.
The enchantment she added, the embers sparking when I took a bite, added a crackling sensation and were fun.
As always, the Autumn Fair was alive with color and sound.
Situated just outside of Moonshine Hollow, the fairgrounds had transformed into a temporary city.
Tents of every hue stretched as far as the eye could see, their bright canvas tops rippling in the breeze.
Vendors called out their wares. The scents of roasted corn, grilled meats, and baking apples wafted through the air.
Musicians played fiddles, harps, and bagpipes, their melodies blending with the hum of the crowd.
Temporary stages hosted actors and storytellers, while nearby, animal displays offered glimpses of rare creatures like unicorns.
I tried to keep Bromir from stopping at every ale tent, though he had just as much trouble keeping me away from the candy vendors.
He’d only tolerated the stop to visit Rosalyn because of the baker herself.
Not letting my sweet tooth nearly get the better of me as we passed a stall selling honey-dipped cloud pears, we reached our tent just before the sun peeked over the horizon.
While our stall wasn’t in the best location, we made do.
Bromir stoked his small forge, readying it for on-the-spot commissions, while I unpacked the display cases of enchanted jewelry.
Amulets for love, earrings for protection, bracelets for good fortune.
They all glinted in the morning light, their stones polished to perfection.
Rose quartz for affection, amethyst for calming nightmares, citrine for energy—each piece blended my enchantments and Bromir’s careful craftsmanship.
Despite the less-than-ideal spot, the market was bustling. It wasn’t long before we got busy. Our repeat customers sought us out, even if we weren’t in the best location.