in unobtrusively, as though the town itself unwound slowly from slumber. Ethan stood at the step outside the co

person," she teased, sw

said with a grin, falli

aroma of freshly baked bread and roasting nuts that wafted in from the village square.

hing out of an ancient storybook-brick houses with walls overgrown with ivy, pastel-hued shutters, and bakeries with chalkboard

Clara. "That's

ts were neatly stacked. Elara stood behind it, dark auburn hair snagged into a loose braid, cheeks flushed pink from s

look

th his-and for a m

ke softly as he

d. "Ethan.

istant," he nodded at Clara, already greeting nei

eakly. "She wo

I linger a while? I'm reputed

mile. "Fine. But don't get reeled i

ght voice across

arely contained beneath a straw hat. Her eyes twinkled as she

. "We've heard all about you. Back from

ly choked.

n't be shy. This town runs on rumors

er her breath, "I

iry man with salt-and-pepper hair and a gardener's tan. "Morning

ointed calm. "Ethan, meet the town's unof

you," Ethan said,

've got your grandmother's e

d. "That exp

y and a stern warning to steer clear of her tabby cat. There was Martin, hammer-handed apprentice blacksmith, who laughed so ha

ning glance in Elara's direction, and a smile

observed how Elara mellowed among her people-how she laughed with her whole face, how she tended to Clara

d. "They all like you. That

er it a complime

, licking honey

ce a low murmur. He remembered that voice once whispering vers

te or perhaps something more benevolen

her in the sky, Elara finally sat on the wooden stool at the

ood job," sh

ely bunch. I reckon Mrs. Applemore's al

r eyes. "Don't

spoke more gravely, "You cre

le. But Lavender Hill heals people

sunlight kissed the bridge of her nose, the way her l

ara

at him, unr

forgot ab

reath

re Clara returned, arms

ile. "Miss Lucinda says we ca

ed down at Ethan. "Come on, slow walker. Let's see wh

he went ahead, C

bit more smitten than h

him-soft, insistent, and ful