Chapter Twenty-Five
Lily knew when Col had left, even with her back to him. How could she not? She had an exquisite awareness of his presence, even as he was —it seemed—going out of his way to avoid her. It hurt, but she masked it as best she could.
“These baked goods are delicious,” Barric pronounced. He was eating the hot cross buns that one of the vendors had just taken from the oven, and there were crumbs in his beard. Still, he spoke in between bites, so it was progress. “But I greatly prefer the wondrous creations that Katie Cooper made last night.”
“I helped too,” Simon said, and Lily had to laugh.
“That you did! And maybe that’s something we can all do together soon,” she said, and Merek eagerly chimed in.
“The ones with the chocolate pieces were mine favorite. Those be the ones we will make.”
“Verily, he tried to hide the last two.” Barric grumbled, but there was a glimmer of a smile on his face.
Aylwyn winked at Lily, “Despite the fight that nearly broke out, it was a wonderful treat to return to, if not your presence.”
Even Tybalt said to her, “the cookies you made with your own hands were a kindness that is much appreciated.”
Lily basked in all the praise. She had baked the cookies as way to relieve her stress, and it had the effect of not only helping Simon feel more comfortable with her, but winning over the boys completely, if there were any last bits of resistance remaining.
All except for the one that she most wanted to be with.
“It is surprising that Col left any for us,” Merek said, and Lily’s ears immediately perked up.
“What do you mean?”
From the corner of her eye, she saw Aylwyn and Barric exchanging looks.
Merek took a swig of his ale and smacked his lips noisily. Lily was happy to note that he didn’t wipe his mouth with the back of his hand, but it didn’t look like he wanted to answer.
Barric broke the silence. “Col was sent back early.”
“Why?” Lily asked. More looks were exchanged. “Was he hurt?” There was a high pitch in her voice, and she tempered it. “I mean, is he ok?”
“You need not be concerned with his well-being, Katie Cooper,” Tybalt said. “Although the concern is a natural part of your charm. Be assured, he is uninjured.”
All the boys were studiously looking at every which way but at her, and Simon and Miller seemed puzzled as well.
Well,okaythen. Something was going on with Col. But whether or not it had to do with her, it still hurt how he acted as if nothing had happened between them. Or worse, that he regretted what had passed, the kisses they had shared. It seemed a completely different person who had promised her that he could never forget a wish that she had, if it was within his ability to grant it.
Miller changed the subject. “We’ll make sure the pantry is re-stocked for the next baking session, but apparently that won’t be for a few days at least, since you’ll be starting the one-on-one dinners tomorrow night?”
Simon quickly explained the concept to the four, who were eager, even Barric.
Lily caught Aylwyn’s glittering aquamarine eyes. “I am delighted that I will have the first opportunity to dine with you alone.”
Lily smiled tightly.
“You have no idea how happy I am about that, too.”
She couldn’t bear more of Col’s indifference.
* * *
The sky was dark outside of Simon’s home office. He had silenced Jemima’s voice, as Col was pacing behind him, in the room’s wide expanse. Simon was seated in front of his console, with the monitors displaying the security footage from the Faire.
TheWaryeorwas twitchier than Simon had ever recalled the usually steadfast male to be, but if Col thought he caught a whiff of the person who abducted him, then it was worth putting all his resources into investigating further. Especially when Col had tried his best to track down the scent at the Faire, but to no avail.
Simon had called up the footage from the entry points into the Fairegrounds by the attendance booths, from the time the Faire opened until approximately the time Col had scented the person. Even though it was only a few hours worth, there were already thousands of people to sift through. Working with a description that Col provided, he had set up a program to extract photos of people fitting those parameters: male, between 5’10 - 6’2, between 45 -65, with darkish or greying hair, lean build.
