The dog jumped on him, knocking Christian to his backside.
Christian laughed as the dog licked his face.
Willow’s brows rose in surprise, and her heart warmed at seeing the affection Christian lavished on the hound. No matter how angry she was, she knew working with his brother was wrong.
A woman’s voice sounded indiscernibly in the distance.
The dog stopped and sat up straight. His ears turned toward the voice.
Christian continued to scratch his ears, and the dog circled Christian enthusiastically, his tail wagging.
Willow stared at Christian, and her heart swelled. No. She couldn’t betray him. But what could she do? She had made a deal with Simon. She was to meet him in Les Labadous and give him the book. She turned to study the town, hoping that an idea would come to her magically. Down the street, smoke plumed from the smithy chimney, rising into the air and encircling the cross atop the chapel.
She started toward the smithy. “I’m going to speak with the blacksmith. Maybe he’s seen Sage.”
Christian nodded.
Willow took a step, and suddenly, she paused and turned to Christian. “Can your brother read?”
Christian scowled as the dog bounded around him. “What?”
“I was just wondering. You don’t know how to read. Can he?”
Christian shrugged. “No. He can’t read.”
Willow nodded and walked down the road confidently. The chapel was beside the smithy. Maybe there was something she could do after all.
What a strange question. But Christian’s mind quickly turned to the dog. He rubbed its neck and gazed at the fields behind the farmhouse. This was going to be difficult. He hadn’t been here for at least two years. But there was one woman he was not looking forward to seeing again. He had hurt her when he left.
He strolled around the farm to the back. The fields were harvested and ready for the coming winter. A horse stood beyond the fields in a grassy area. Clunk, clunk came from the trees near where the horse stood.
A woman with brown hair arranged in a bun at the back of her head came around the corner, carrying a large bucket. When she spotted Christian, she smiled. “Good day.” Recognition dawned in her eyes, and her mouth dropped. She hurriedly placed the bucket on the ground, rushing forward and throwing her arms around him. “Christian!”
Christian embraced the woman warmly. “It’s good to see you, Edith.”
She pulled back and lightly slapped his shoulder. “You said you would return.”
He shrugged, releasing her. “I’ve had things to take care of.”
Edith glared at him in mock severity. “We could have used your help expanding the town.” She grinned. “Never mind that. Bea will be so happy to see you.”
Christian inhaled. He knew that Edith had wanted him to marry Bea, her daughter, and remain in Bois to help them build the town. “I can’t stay.”
“Oh.” She frowned and put her hands on her hips. “You’ll certainly stay for the evening meal.”
“Edith, I’m here with…a good friend.”
Edith’s sharp gaze swept him before examining the area.
“She went to the smithy,” he explained.
“She?” Edith asked suspiciously.
Christian bowed his head, unable to explain Willow. She was more than a friend. And less.
“Hmmm. Well.” She jerked a chin toward the noise in the distance. “Milo is cutting trees. You must greet him.”
“Edith, I’m looking for someone. Perhaps he stopped here. He was traveling with a woman. The woman would have been wearing armor.”
