It’s #BookQW – will our heroine be ‘allowed’ her independence?
More from Chapter 2:
Spells, she looks so good. Even cocooned in a life jacket.
Luna flashed him a smile, gray eyes hidden behind sunglasses, but her cheeks lifted, her head tilted impishly—
Orb take it, had he pushed that thought to her?
Aye, he had. Salm grinned back and stopped short of kissing her when she boarded the boat. He’d learned that lesson a year ago after hailing her in town. It was months before she’d acknowledged him again and weeks before he learned that she felt her pale skin and hair garnered enough extra attention without drawing more.
They set sail. Out on the open ocean, she leaned toward him on a long tack and chastely kissed his cheek before turning her face into the wind and sighing.
Enjoying yourself? he asked.
Quite.
They jibed southward against the wind so the return trip would be faster and were a cove past Kittiwake Point and the lighthouse before she turned to him again.
“I appreciate the opportunity to get out. Papa has been most difficult the last week.”
“Because of me?”
“I’ve mentioned you, but…” She shrugged. “He’s on us all about tidying up, which isn’t an awful goal, except it’s coming as I’ve had folks asking me to do home repairs in town. I need my own income, which Papa hasn’t been able to argue down. Independence from him will allow me to build a life separate from Kittiwake Point. With Fest upcoming, I’ve had more inquiries.”
“Maybe ’tis his way of preparing so he can enjoy the festivities,” Salm murmured. This was as good an opening as any to ask her. “I have the week off at Fest. Would you like to spend time with me?”
Luna rolled her eyes. “If Papa doesn’t find some errand or task he insists needs doing.”
That was a yes, but answer. If he was going to succeed at convincing Luna they should bond, then he needed to draw her away from this town—for surely she’d take any opportunities for work that came up that week if they didn’t leave. Besides, he wanted to feel like they were permanently together, and here, in Tern Bay, they couldn’t act like they were. Folks knew they weren’t. They’d draw looks. Possibly be reported. Depending on the individuals, wizards merging their magic could produce powerful energy. Thus, local authorities demanded the licensing records to track who was with whom in case of unexplained spells. To not be formally licensed was viewed as sneaking around.
Feeling as if a school of fish swam through his gut, Salm asked, “How about you go away with me?”
Luna eyed him.
Blessed Orb, she was going to say no. His stomach fish scattered.
~~~
Will Luna break free from her family? Pick up your copy of Keepers of the Sea Cliffs and find out! Also available in paperback and large print.
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On a personal note: I’ve gotten my second Covid vaccine, and we escaped outside for a serious wildflower hike along the Potomac River. I hope you’ll ‘allow’ me to share my finds with you!
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