“Where is everybody?”Lilian cried as she looked around her empty shop.Sunday was turning out to be wildly different from Saturday.The opening-weekend crowds were still roaming the grounds, but the foot traffic into her shop had thinned to almost nothing.Even worse, she could count the number of sales she’d made on one hand.
She sighed and stared out the doorway as patrons passed by without a second glance.“I guess yesterday was the opening day rush?”
“Maybe,” Margo mused.“Sundays usually are a little slower.”
True.But that still didn’t alleviate the disappointment that hung in her stomach.
Maybe she’d been a little overzealous when she’d imagined her bookshop at the faire.Her mother’s store had tons of books haunting the shelves.There had been plans to bring new tubs of books every weekend to restock, but at this rate, there wouldn’tbeany restock.
She was staring at her wooden shelves when a squeal interrupted her thoughts.Blinking, Lilian turned to the front of the store, where a group of teenage girls dressed in their best pirate garb were crowding something.
No, not something.
Someone.
Lilian stared at the handsome knight.His clothes were typical of the other knights who acted in the faire.A light black doublet covered his torso, depicting a yellow rooster.His arms and legs were covered in gauntlets, and the sword at his hip reflected the sun with a piercing shine.The combination made a handsome attire, but it was a lot for the lingering Midwestern summer.At the height of the day, all the knights looked ready to strip off their armor and go join the half-naked Vikings.Already his blond curls clung to his head with sweat.Still, he flashed a perfect smile to his guests.If it wasn’t for the costume, he could have passed for a tan surf model.
She didn’t realize she was staring until the knight caught her gaze.His bright blue eyes danced in amusement before he gave a friendly wink.“M’lady.”
Whoa.A blush scorched her face.That word was thrown around constantly on the faire grounds, but for some reason, hearing it from him made her stomach erupt in butterflies.
It took all her strength to give a friendly smile back and not throw herself behind the counter.
Margo was also openly staring.“I don’t normally go for the chivalrous knights, but damn.”
“Yeah, who knew someone could make wearing twenty pounds of metal look sexy?”Lilian said.
“Or easy.”Margo squinted.“Doesn’t he look like someone?”
“I don’t know.Does he?”
“Yeah, someone famous.It’s the hair, I think.Ah—” Margo gasped as her hand snatched out and gripped Lilian’s arm.“I know.He’s a dead ringer for Heath Ledger inA Knight’s Tale.”
“What?”Lilian finally allowed herself another look.This time, she scrutinized his appearance—not in an “I’m checking you out” way.She was being… studious.Sure, the guy was handsome; there were things about his face that looked like the late actor.The soft cheeks that blended into a gentle smile, the way his brows seemed to always be tilted up in a pouty look.But it was the curly golden locks that really made the connection.
She nodded slowly.“I see it.”
“Lilian, I have an amazing idea.Can you take a picture of him for me?”
“What?”She reeled on her friend, eyes wide.“Are you crazy?We’re working and I don’t know that man.”
“Please, it's not for my spank bank, I promise,” Margo pleaded.“I have receivedartistic inspirationthat I think the shop can really benefit from.”
“I think we’re still benefiting from your last artistic inspiration.People love the sign.”
“This is different.Come on, you'll thank me!”
“Why don’t you use your phone?"
Margo gave a chastised smile.“I forgot to plug it in last night.The battery died during my lunch break.”
Lilian studied her partner, trying to determine if the excuse was a lie or not.Eventually, she sighed.It didn’t really matter.Margo had done a lot to help her.If her friend needed a picture of a hot knight… well, who was she to stand in the way of that?
“All right, but this inspiration better be good.”
Margo wiggled her shoulders in excitement.“I think it is.”
Lilian grabbed her phone from her purse and hustled toward the small crowd that still captured the knight’s attention.He was putting on a show, like all the actors did, complimenting the patrons while at the same time promoting the daily jousting competition.They were finishing up when he noticed Lilian.
