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Elwyn did open the next day, though. The house was far too empty without Bryn in it, so she looked forward to having some company each day. She had to tell an edited version of the story to explain the events in the market to all the villagers who came by, full of curiosity. Now that she’d been open about being a healer, she found herself called upon more often. It was more than enough to keep her busy. She could barely keep her eyes open to read a little in the evenings, and she missed Bryn reading to her.
After a couple of weeks, she was starting to worry that he wouldn’t be returning, after all, when she was working in the shop one afternoon and saw a small wagon pull up in front of the cottage. That was unusual. Her customers walked to the shop. Only Mair ever drove up in a cart, and only when she was coming back from the market or on her way somewhere else. Elwyn went to the front door to see who it was and was shocked to see Bryn, wearing clothes that actually fit him, coming up the walk with a box in his arms.
“You’re back?” she said, not sure he was really there. She’d imagined his return so often that she wasn’t sure this wasn’t a dream.
He gave her a grin that looked so much like the way he’d been without his memories that she wondered if he’d lost his memories again. “I’m back, and I brought you some tea and other supplies. You never did make that shopping list for me, so I had to guess.” He went past her to the counter, greeting the customers as though he’d only gone out to the shops. “I used the money you gave me for the journey, since I didn’t need it,” he added to Elwyn. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“No, not at all.”
He set the box the counter, then headed for the door. “You’re leaving again already?” Elwyn called out as she tried to catch up with him.
“Just getting the next load. I have your belongings. The duke sent them. Do you want your books in the sitting room?”
“Yes, that would be lovely,” she said, stunned. She followed him to the wagon, where he handed her a small crate and picked up one, himself, then they went back inside and to the sitting room, where he set down his crate and took her crate from her and set it down. Her emotions finally escaped the numbness of shock, and with a cry of joy, she threw her arms around him. “You’re back! I missed you so much.”
He responded by holding her tight enough that she could barely breathe, but she didn’t mind. He eased his grasp slightly just before she started feeling lightheaded. “I take it this means you’re not mad at me anymore.”
“I can be mad and miss you and worry about you, all at the same time.” Releasing him and stepping back slightly, but still staying in the circle of his arms, she asked, “What happened?”
“The baron—well, former baron—was stripped of his rank and convicted. It turned out he did get the potion from my master. Which means I’m now completely free of any apprenticeship obligation, as he was convicted, as well, which means he was kicked out of the wizards’ guild.” He released his hold on her and headed toward the door. “Now, we need to make another trip to the wagon. There’s a trunk. The duke also sent all your clothes.”
Elwyn had to laugh. “I’m not sure what good court clothes will do me here.”
“Wear them to dinner. Such as dinner tonight.”
“I don’t have anything in the house worthy of that festive an occasion.”
He grinned. “I do. Have dinner with me tonight at my place.”
She felt like her wits hadn’t yet caught up with her. Part of her wasn’t entirely sure he was really back, and it was as though a different person had returned. He was closer to the person he’d been without his memories, but there was something somewhat more serious about him. “Your place?” she asked. “You’re not staying here?”
“I decided to take over the inn, since no one else is using it. On the off chance that someone comes to town, I can offer rooms. Otherwise, I’ll do a dinner or two a week for the villagers. And when I’m not cooking, I’ll study and practice. I brought all my books. I have a feeling there may come a time when this village will need a wizard.”
“Oh. You’ve clearly been doing some thinking.”
“Quite a lot of it. I had time on the journey, and there was a lot of waiting around at court. And you’re right, I need to figure out who I really am, but I can’t hide from my past, either.” He reached and took her hand. “Let’s start over, like we’re meeting for the first time, which we are, in a sense. I am Bryn, an innkeeper studying to be a wizard.”
With a smile, she gave him a slight curtsy. “Pleased to meet you. I am Elwyn, a healer who also runs a tea shop.”
He bowed. “Delighted to make your acquaintance. Elwyn, would you like to have dinner with me tonight at the inn?”
“Yes, I would,” she said.
“Then we’d better bring in the rest of your things. You’ll need something nice to wear.”
It took the two of them to bring in the trunk and haul it upstairs. Before heading back down, he glanced at the room he’d used. “I hope you don’t mind that I decided to live on my own. But I do need to figure out a lot of things, and I need to find my own calling.”
“It’ll keep Sara from calling me a strumpet. For that reason, at least.”
He beamed at her, and it was like the sun coming out after a storm. “Good. Then dinner tonight? I’ll come get you just before sunset, since the duke was also kind enough to provide me with a horse and wagon. I can offer rides to nearby towns if the inn doesn’t keep me busy.” He bowed and added, “I’m looking forward to making your acquaintance, my lady.”
“And I’m looking forward to getting to know you, my good sir.” More seriously, she added, “And I’m glad you came back.”
“I don’t think Rydding would have let me stay away.”
