Page 51 of The Blacksmith’s Wish

Gowan’s stomach tightened. Considering sounded dangerously close to refusing.

“I’ve known ye many years and I ken yer a hard worker and that ye’re honest. Never known ye to mistreat women or bairns for that matter.”

Hope flickered.

“But.”

The single word crushed him. Gowan braced himself.

“But…” Thom repeated slowly, “ye’re stubborn, quiet, and broody. I ken that ye think far too much.”

Gowan nodded. “Aye, what ye say is true.”

“And for reasons known only to the Almighty, ye’ve spent years pretending ye didnae care for the lass despite everyone in the village seeing otherwise.”

Gowan frowned. “Everyone?”

“Aye, the entire village, perhaps the entire clan.”

His ears warmed. “I thought I’d hidden it well.”

Thom barked a laugh. “Lad, ye watched her the way hungry men watch meat cook.”

Heat flooded Gowan’s face. “And ye noticed?”

“Oh, aye, I noticed.” The older man leaned back in his chair. “So did Effie’s mother.”

Gowan groaned softly.

Thom couldn’t contain his grin any longer. “Even old blind Miera said she’d never seen a man look so lovesick.”

Gowan fought the urge to groan. Silence settled again, though this time it felt lighter.

Thom’s smile slowly faded. “I’ve known ye since ye were a young man. Yer father was like a brother to me.”

He got a faraway look. “I’ve watched how since the fire took yer parents and yer home. How ye cared for yer sister and how ye took over the shop that yer father, bless his soul, cared for so much.”

Gowan looked toward the floor.

“I also watched the way ye continued helping every soul in Tokavaig despite believing ye had nothing left to offer.”

Emotion tightened Gowan’s throat. “I did only what anyone would.”

“Nae.” Thom shook his head. “Ye did what good men do.” Thom sighed deeply. “I suppose I should pretend this is difficult.”

Gowan looked up. “What?”

The older man’s lips twitched. “I ought to question yer intentions. Should warn ye to treat her well.”

Gowan nodded solemnly. “I expect it all.”

Thom stood, crossing the room until closely in front of him. The older man’s expression softened in a way Gowan had never before witnessed. “The truth is I’ve been hoping for years that ye’d ask.”

Gowan was struck silent.

“I’ve wanted ye for a son-in-law since the day I caught ye carrying a small sack of flour into the bakery just because Effie mentioned she didnae wish to,” Thom continued.

“Ye…remember that?”