For once, Lilian was grateful her shop wasn’t located in the heart of the faire.It meant she would be far from the chaos.
There were a plethora of Viking romances, ranging from Sandra Hill to more recent publications.She even had a few Norse-inspired fantasy novels lining the shelves.After the rush of Romance Weekend and weeks of hard work, the shop was finally seeing a steady flow of customers, and she didn’t want to see the numbers slip.
“Who will be Mr.Brawn?”Margo asked as she adjusted the plastic flower throne.
Over the week, Lilian had acquired more fake foliage to cover up the bare spots of the chair.The cottage now looked like it sold more flowers than books, but it set a romantic atmosphere that she and Margo both adored.
“Ian, definitely,” Lilian said, putting her empty book bin behind the counter.“Gotta show those Vikings a little love.”
“Ian’s getting lucky,” Margo sang as she twisted a pale blue rose along the top of the chair.
“With who?”David asked, stepping into the shop.He wasn’t dressed in his full armor set today but still wore a formal tunic and some light chainmail.
Lilian snickered.“I was just saying I’ve already picked Mr.Brawn for the week.I’m a little surprised to see you here.”Since they'd started theHunt the Hunkpromotion, David’s presence had been more scarce around the shop.From what Lilian had heard, he’d been accosted by several eager visitors.It almost made her feel bad for the promotion.
Some of the other knights had approached them about being added to the board, and Margo had been quick to comply.They were quickly running out of room for posters.
That easy dimpled grin flashed her way.“No jousting today, ladies.Haven’t you heard?The arena is reserved for hand-to-hand combat matches today.So I have a little more time.”
“Oooh, I love the combat days.”Margo sighed.
“And you gave me grief about Highlander Weekend.”Lilian smiled as she moved behind the counter.“Things aren’t that busy right now, and it’s almost time for your lunch break.If you want, you can go see the axe throwing.”
“Really?”Margo’s eyes sparkled at the suggestion.
At the same time, a slight frown tugged at David’s lips.“You never showed that kind of interest in my jousting days.”
“Oh, it’swaymore exciting than the jousts,” Margo said, grabbing her purse.
“Hey!”David wasn’t one to get offended easily, but the outrage in the word might have actually been real.
Margo gave a careless shrug.“It’s true.We do jousting every week.But how often does a guy throw a real axe at another man’s head?”
Just like that, the outrage was replaced with interest.“They do that?”
“Yes!”
“Well, then, allow me the honor of escorting you to the arena.I hear there are Vikings about today, and I would hate for them to plunder you.”
“Plunder?I think that’s what pirates do.”
He waved off the correction.“I can never keep track.”
Margo laughed, sharing a knowing look with Lilian.David was by far the most laid back of all the actors at the faire.Especially considering he was a knight.An accidental one, but a knight none the less.If they weren’t jousting or doing a demonstration, they were usually relegated to act as one of the king’s noble entourage.But Lilian couldn’t ever recall seeing David marching next to the king.
“You sure?It’s been kind of a madhouse recently,” Margo said.
Lilian waved her off.“I got it.It’s still early, and it’s only for an hour.”Besides, what was the fun in working at the faire if they never got to enjoy it?She’d noticed over the weeks how some of the veteran vendors were solely focused on their shops.Sure, they all seemed to love what they were doing, but they barely paid attention to the festivities happening around them.Last week, Monica from the stationery shop had asked her what the theme was.
Maybe it was unavoidable.A side effect of working at the faire.Slowly it loses its magic and becomes another job.But she was determined to make sure she and Margo hung on to that magic for as long as they could.
“You’re the best.”Her friend beamed before rushing toward the door.
David’s eyes followed her like a flower turning toward the sun, and she nestled up beside him.
Once they were gone, Lilian busied herself with the smaller details of the shop.Sweeping the floor and engaging with anyone who popped their heads inside.It was slower, but she was still pleased by the steady stream of customers, usually coming in two at a time.
Within thirty minutes, she sold two books.Which was two more than she’d sold during the entire weekend of week two.It’s progress, she told herself but still couldn’t help standing in the door frame, watching people walk by.
