Beautiful sat beside the stream with Seeker, dipping her toes into the crystal-clear water. That was his name, right? He hadn’t said, but she was pretty sure she’d heard Companion call him that.
A palace rose on the far side of the stream, stately and magnificent. Exploring that would be a grand adventure. He didn’t even think to offer. Maybe he thought she couldn’t cross the stream—or that she’d fall in. And honestly, could you blame him, after the way she nearly went flying off the stairs?
Then it came to her. He was always off exploring the ruins near the cottage. What was in there that held his fascination? She would find out. Tomorrow. Who said her adventure had to end today?
She set her handbag down and opened it, hoping he didn’t notice how old and worn it looked. Inside were two sandwiches wrapped in linen. Her heart skipped. Make one for your husband. Had she really just said that out loud? She was mortified. Heat rushed to her face. Please let him not have heard. He’d think she was silly. And there went her adventure.
The word still echoed in her mind—husband. Still. He wasn’t even really her type.
He passed her his canteen. She recognized it—it had been Companion’s. She wished she had a good friend like that. The crumb at the corner of Seeker’s mouth had been bothering her. She reached over and wiped it away with her handkerchief. Much better.
***
He looked distracted. What was going on in that head of his? She started telling him about the time she fell into the Slough. Why had she said that? Now he’d think she was clumsy. And there went the palace.
He was listening—really listening. No judgment in his eyes. So, she continued on. Prattled on, more like. She told him all about her childhood in Dark Land. How hard it had been. There was something about him—steady, quiet—that made her trust him.
She looked up—and there it was. A single tear rolling down his cheek. Revulsion surged in her chest. “Don’t cry,” she snapped. She’d never seen a man cry before. Yell, sure. Cry? Never. “Only babies cry.”
No sooner had the words left her lips than she regretted them. He was crying—for her. That wasn’t weakness. She had no reason to mock him. How could she take it back? Unsay it? Baby could mean something sweet. Something tender. Maybe he knew that.
“I’m going to call you baby from now on!” She nearly convinced herself.
“Hurry up, baby! The sun’s setting” She dashed toward the stairway—another chance to show him she could keep up.
