Secrets and Snowflakes by S. Usher Evans

Author:S. Usher Evans
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sun's Golden Ray Publishing

Chapter Thirteen

"It's dinner time, is it not?" Etheldra said, hanging her cloak on the hook by the front door. "Or am I no longer welcome to dine here?"

"Of course you are," Bev said, sliding off her stool to greet her properly. "I thought you'd decided to steer clear for a while."

"Well, I changed my mind based on recent events."

Bev opened and closed her mouth as Etheldra served herself, making sure to take three pieces of rosemary bread, and promptly sat at the table with Bernie, Paul, and Wallace.

"Evening, gentlemen," she said, very matter-of-factly. "I hope you don't mind me sitting here."

Something told Bev that even if the gentlemen had minded, Etheldra wouldn't be leaving.

"Of course not," Bernie said with a genuine smile. "We're glad to have you. I was so pleased to visit your tea shop today—"

"I'm sure." Etheldra's pointed glare made the jovial man wither a bit. Bev worried the blunt, taciturn woman would be a little too direct. "So, you've all been stuck in town for a few days. How are you carrying on?"

"Well, it would be better, of course, if we could move on," Paul said. "We have paid engagements that were supposed to get us through the rest of the winter. Don't even want to think about what might happen if we don't make them."

"Then leave." Etheldra stared at him so plainly the man squirmed.

Wallace jumped in to save him. "We did make an attempt today, or Paul did. But it's too crazy out there for us."

"Hm." There was doubt in her gaze, and Bev, too, wanted to speak up for Paul. But Etheldra merely turned to Bernie. "And you? Why haven't you left yet?"

"The roads, obviously," he said with a smile. "Unlike these fine gentlemen, I've already got my funds for the rest of the winter, so I don't mind staying put."

"I see." Again, that scrutinizing, untrusting glare. "And what is it you do? I saw you in my shop today reading. Seems like you have a lot of time on your hands."

"Don't we all with this weather?" he said with a chuckle. "I'm a traveling tradesman. Do a bit of everything."

"I see."

Bev opened her mouth to intervene when Etheldra turned in her chair to stare directly at Collin, who was sitting alone at the third table. "And you. What do you do?"

"Oh, I play the lute," Collin said with a smile. "I could go get it, if you—"

"I'll pay you two gold coins to never play it in my presence again," Etheldra said, pulling two coins out of her purse and tossing them over.

His mouth fell open as he greedily snatched the coins from the air. "T-thank you. I'll keep it away for tonight."

"And every night I see you, understood? If I wanted to hear an animal dying, I'd go across the street to the butchers."

He glared, but the money seemed to soothe his ego enough to keep his mouth shut.

"You seem to be a man in need of money," Etheldra said to Collin. "Do you have any other skills to speak of?"

"N-not really," he said, pocketing the coins.

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