Page 51 of Must Love Moss and Moonshine

He must have felt my gaze because he looked up at me.

I waved, a smile tugging at my lips.

He returned the gesture, a small, genuine smile lighting his face, then turned and set off once more.

When he rounded the corner, I closed my eyes, savoring the warmth of the sunlight spilling through the windows.Below, the bell above the door rang as the two gnome women entered.Juniper greeted them warmly, her quiet voice mingling with their laughter.Pippin barked, adding his own enthusiastic welcome.

The sound made me smile as I turned back to my workbench.I had been commissioned to make a ring as a gift for a couple’s fiftieth anniversary.Now, I just needed to find the right stone to convey a lifetime of love.I began sorting through my gems, pulling out the reddest ruby I had in stock.I held it up to the light, envisioning the ring I would make.

The sunlight streaming through the window caught the colors of the forest quartz on my own finger.Bromir’s moonsilver setting shimmered, reminding me of his love and friendship.I missed my old friend, but a new chapter of my life awaited.And no doubt, Bromir was up to his own misadventures.

I sighed contentedly, turning the ruby over in my hand.

One day, Kellen and I would celebrate our fiftieth anniversary here in Moonshine Hollow.

A lifetime of love and happiness stretched before me, and I could hardly wait for all the moments yet to come.