Page 20 of The Blacksmith’s Wish

“Nae.”

Her green eyes sparkled, and she shook her head. “Then it is merely coincidence that every man who speaks to me suddenly finds himself staring at the broadest blacksmith in Skye?”

Gowan folded his arms. “Ye think too much.”

“I think just enough.”

For a moment neither spoke. The sounds of the festival swirled around them: hammering, laughter, merchants calling to customers. Yet somehow it felt strangely quiet.

Effie’s smile softened. “Thank ye for helping Liam with the grill.”

His gaze met hers. The teasing disappeared from her expression, replaced by something warm and genuine. Something dangerous.

“It was nothing,” he said quietly.

“It was nae nothing.”

Heat crawled up the back of his neck, and he immediately looked away, which, naturally, only made Effie smile again. A smile that would follow him for the rest of the morning.

Chapter Eight

As the sun began its slow descent toward the horizon, painting the sky in shades of gold, amber, and rose, Effie sat with Anne and Beitris upon a blanket spread across a patch of grass bordering the village square. The day had been long and pleasantly warm, and each of them had taken turns dozing beneath the spring sunshine whenever business at their family stalls allowed.

Her parents had arrived along with Beitris and Liam’s young son. The babe had been carried about and doted upon until it fell asleep, content to lie swaddled in blankets, oblivious to all the noise surrounding him.

Now the festival was fully alive.

Musicians occupied the wooden stage erected especially for the fête. Their fiddles, pipes, and drums had woven lively melodies throughout the day. Children swarmed before them, laughing and dancing without a care in the world.

The younger girls clasped hands and spun in circles, their skirts billowing around them as their delighted squeals drifted across the square. Every so often one would peek toward a cluster of boys standing nearby, who pretended complete disinterest while stealing glances of their own.

On benches lining the square, elders tapped their feet and clapped in rhythm to the music. Smiles softened weathered faces as they watched the younger generation enjoy traditions that had endured for centuries. Before long, the adults would join the dancing, but for now they were content to sit back and let the younger villagers claim the space.

Effie rested her chin upon her knees and absorbed the scene.

Smoke curled lazily from the roasting pit where a long queue had formed for skewers of meat sizzling over open flames. At the ale stand, the tavern owner wiped sweat from his brow with a cloth before filling yet another tankard from a large pewter pitcher. Merchants called out to passersby hoping to make sales before closing for the day.

A cool breeze swept through the square, setting banners fluttering overhead. Loose tendrils escaped Effie’s braid and brushed against her cheeks. She tucked them behind her ear.

Then her gaze wandered. And found Gowan. Of course it did. He stood near the edge of the square speaking with Camden, Anne’s husband. Even from a distance, Gowan was impossible to overlook. Broad shoulders stretched beneath his tunic. His powerful arms folded across his chest. His stance was relaxed yet solid. Feet planted apart as if no force on earth could move him.

The wind pushed strands of dark hair across his brow, but he paid them no mind. His attention remained fixed on whatever Camden was saying.

Until two women approached. Effie’s posture stiffened. It was Peigi and beside her, the Moyra.

Effie sat up a little straighter.

Peigi smiled brightly as she approached the men, her hands already moving as she spoke. Moments later she placed one hand upon Gowan’s forearm and leaned in, her eyes pinned to his.

Effie’s stomach tightened. “What is she doing?” she muttered beneath her breath.

Beside her, Beitris followed her gaze.

Peigi laughed at something and gestured dramatically toward Isabel. The younger woman immediately blushed crimson and looked away as though searching for escape.

Avoiding Moyra, Camden quickly walked away and moments later, Moyra wandered toward another stall. Leaving Peigi alone with Gowan.

Effie narrowed her eyes. The distance was too great to hear their conversation, but she desperately wished she could. Peigi moved even closer. Gowan lowered his arms and shifted his weight.