"He introduced himself, said he was being neighborly."Wren's expression was carefully neutral."Then Lyra appeared and...you know what happened."
"I know what people are saying happened."
"She thought he was courting me.He said he was just being friendly."She looked at Jin directly."I don't know what his actual intentions are.But I'm not interested in getting in the middle of...whatever that situation is."
Jin studied her for a moment.She met his gaze steadily, not defensive in the least.These were just the facts.
"Good," he said finally."Viktor is..."He chose his words carefully."Charming.Helpful.Good at making people feel special.Just remember that he's also a businessman who's wanted your land for years."
"I'll remember."
"And Lyra is vindictive.She'll blame you for Viktor's attention whether you encouraged it or not."
"I got that impression."
"If she causes problems—property damage, threats, anything—send word immediately.Using magic aggressively in town is one thing.Targeting someone's home is another."
"I will.Thank you."
He mounted his horse, then paused."You did well in town.Making connections, establishing trade.That's smart."
"I'm trying."
"Keep trying.And..."He hesitated."If you need help with anything else, let me know.The wash drum, expanding your defenses, whatever."
Was that personal or professional?She couldn't quite tell."Thank you, Marshall."Her voice came out a bit more warmly than she’d expected.It sounded kind of flirty.
"Jin," he said."You can call me Jin."Apparently, he didn’t mind.
He rode off before she could respond, leaving her standing by her new washing machine with her heart doing that small flip again.
Jin.
She tested the name silently, watching him disappear down the road.
The wash drum rotated steadily, clothes tumbling inside.
Everything was working.Her property, her trades, her life here.
And maybe—just maybe—something else was starting to work too.
