Page 55 of The Blacksmith’s Wish

“Lentil soup?” he said with mock disappointment but then smiled. She still could not get used to how a smile transformed his face. The deep dimple on his right cheek, with its match on the left. The twinkle in his eyes. How was it possible for the man to be even more handsome?

She shrugged. “What can I say? It comforts me.”

As they continued walking, Gowan’s smile slowly faded, his gaze drifting toward a familiar clearing. The place where everything had changed. Wildflowers now blanketed the small opening, gently swaying where the Miracle Stone had once rested.

“I’ve something to tell ye,” he blurted.

Effie’s attention followed his gaze. “What is it?”

“I saw it.”

“The stone?”

“Aye.”

Wonder brightened her face. “I searched for it so many times.”

“For yerself?”

She shook her head. “For Liam.” Sadness softened her voice. “I wanted to ask it that he might find relief from the pain in his leg. I’ve often wondered if perhaps he did.”

Gowan looked again toward the flowers. “I made a wish.”

“Ye need nae tell me what it was if ye dinnae want to.”

“I wished me scars would disappear. They didnae.” His hand unconsciously drifted toward his side.

Effie waited for him to continue.

“They no longer bind me…” Gowan rolled one shoulder. “…and the tightness is nearly gone. I can work without pain. I can breathe deeply and I can sleep without waking from pain.”

Emotion shimmered in her eyes. Stepping closer, she rested both palms against his chest. “I’ve never wished yer scars away. They tell the story of a brave man who survived what should have claimed him.”

Her fingers slid gently around his sides. “They remind me that strength is not measured by perfect skin.”

Effie looked into his eyes. “It is measured by what a man chooses to become after tragedy.”

Tears glistened in his lashes.

“I love every part of ye, Gowan.”

His voice emerged rough with emotion. “I’ve waited me whole life to hear someone say that.”

They wandered into the clearing, removing the bridles so the horse and mule could graze among the grasses without encumbrance. Then, without speaking, they lowered themselves into the sea of wildflowers.

Above them, white clouds drifted lazily across the endless blue.

Gowan rolled onto one elbow, studying her as though memorizing every freckle, every smile, every strand of sunlit hair. “I’ll never tire of looking at ye.” He leaned down and brushed the softest kiss across her lips.

She smiled against his mouth. “If ye ever do I’ll strike ye over the head with an iron pan until yer vision goes blurry enough that I become interesting again.”

He burst into laughter so deep and genuine it echoed through the clearing. “I’ve no doubt ye would.”

Their laughter rose into the branches overhead, startling a flock of birds into flight.

Leaves whispered in the warm breeze, wildflowers swayed around them, and somewhere nearby the mule let out a loud, opinionated bray that sounded suspiciously like approval.

The forest itself seemed to rejoice with them.

After years of loneliness, doubt, and fear, two hearts had finally found the home they had unknowingly been searching for all along.