The shopkeeper wrapped their purchases in several layers of burlap and tied it with twine.
Skye and Arran left the shop, and he announced he had one more place he wanted to visit.
The storefront had no name on the door, but Skye knew immediately what was sold there as soon as Arran opened the door and she crossed the threshold.
“Herbs and spices, Arran!” she exclaimed. She moved from bin to bin and jar to jar, reading the label on each. “Foxglove, for an unsteady heart. Tormentil, for bleeding wounds. Bog mertle, for ulcers and lesions.”
“I’m just here to get Astrid some of her favorite spices, Skye. I daenae ken what ye are talking about,” he said good-naturedly.
Suddenly, Skye shrieked loudly, “Ava!”
Arran had his sword drawn at the same time he saw his wife embracing a young woman with sleek blond hair and large blue eyes. Both women were crying and talking at the same time.
Finally, when they calmed down, Skye turned to Arran. “Arran, this is me friend from Braewall, Ava. She taught me all I ken about healing.” She looked at her friend with admiration. “Ava, this is me… this is me husband, Arran Gilmore, Laird MacArthur.”
Ava’s mouth dropped open as he looked from Skye to Arran and back again. “It’s l-lovely to meet ye, me Laird,” Ava stammered in shock, bowing her head to him.
Arran nodded back to her politely.
Skye and Ava took a seat by the window of the shop, and Skye launched into a shortened account of everything that had happened since she disappeared from her former home.
“I’m so happy ye are finally safe,” Ava sighed in relief, squeezing her friend’s hands.
Arran was surprised to hear that Ava knew about Skye’s past, but it showed him how close they were.
“Come back with me, Ava. Maither is there, too. And healer or nae, ye shouldnae be living alone.”
She was not wrong. He was glad to hear that Skye saw his home as a refuge.
“Skye, ye are a good friend, and I thank ye for yer offer, but I am fine, really. The villagers in Braewell are very kind. And they’re keepin’ me busy to boot—three bairns comin’ in the next month alone. That’s why I’m here today, to buy herbs for their maithers.”
Brave, strong, independent. Arran saw the qualities that Skye admired in Ava.
“But, here, wait one minute,” Ava said as she reached into her bag, pulled out a beaded necklace, and handed it to Skye.
Skye took it in her hands, looking wonderingly at it. The sparkling stones reflected in her eyes.
“Ava, I cannae accept this,” she uttered, handing the necklace back to her friend. “It’s too valuable.”
Ava shook her head. “It is me wedding gift to ye, Skye. Take it, please.”
Skye hugged her friend tight.
Once more, Skye asked Ava to come back with her. “Ye can work as a healer, and Arran can keep ye safe.” She hesitated. “We’ll keep ye safe.”
“I will consider it, me friend,” Ava promised. After one last hug, she turned to Arran. “Look after me Skye, she is special.”
“I will, Ava. And ye are welcome anytime.”
They nodded to one another, and with one final look back at her friend, Ava was gone.
Arran watched as Skye’s expression turned sad, and he grew more curious about their relationship.
They left the shop and proceeded back to their horses. Arran noticed how people reacted around Skye, especially the men. More than once, he cast a threatening glare in the direction of a man who dared to look at her for too long.
Her beauty captivated him, so he should have been more understanding. Itwasdifficult not to look at her. He considered for a moment to soften his stance.
Nay, I will thrash anyone looking her way.
