“Rose, would you bring me the blueberry tarts next? I want to display them up front.”
Carefully setting down the apple pie where her mother had asked her, Rossiath looked up. Rosabella had worked hard on the newest recipe, her family being the recipient of several small batches, before she'd finally been satisfied with the flavor and consistency of the filling.
Moving between the table and a large cart from the neighboring stall, she headed to where the pies were stacked, picking up the basket of palm sized treats and carrying them back. “Once word gets out how good these are,” Rossiath said, as she helped her mother set the tarts around the table, “I doubt they'll be a one left by the noon meal.”
“How good what are?” A now familiar voice rumbled from behind them.
Not bothering to turn, Rossiath responded. “”Morning Gillis, come for another of mother's strawberry pies? And these tarts,” she added, answering his question, “blueberry. Mother's newest recipe.” She stepped back to look over the table.
“Behind you,” Gillis said, placing his hand on Rossiath's back to stop her. “Careful there, Miss Rose.” he said, a friendly chuckle in his voice.
“Oh! I'm sorry!” Rossiath said, stepping away quickly, half turning so he could see the table better. “I didn't realize you were that close.” Blushing, she glanced over to see if he'd been offended.
However, he was studiously eyeing the tarts, something approaching a grin on his face. “My fault entirely,” he replied lightly as he stepped forward to look down at the offerings. “I've always been told I'm too quiet for my size. And yes, I'll take one of the strawberry pies, and since blueberries sound tempting, two of the tarts as well.”
Rossiath moved around the table to gather his order. “These tarts are rather good, Mother really outdid herself this time. At least I think so. You'll have to let her know later what you thought of them.” Setting his pastries aside, she tapped her finger on the side of the table quickly. “That'll be 64 copper today,” she said and watched as he reached into his pocket for the coins.
“I'll be happy to tell her,” he said, “Or I could tell you over lunch. If you'd share them with me.” He counted out the coins and handed them to her.
As she glanced at the coins, she shook her head. “You paid for those, they're yours. Besides,” she added matter-of-factly, recalling Talleine's comment the previous day, “I imagine if you wanted to share them with someone, Maliennde would be happy to have lunch with you.”
Gillis stared at the back of Rossiath's head in bewilderment, opening his mouth several times as he tried to find a response for the seemingly random statement. At a loss, he finally replied, “Well, if that's what you wish, Miss Rose,” before turning and striding away.
“What I wish?” she asked herself quietly, and then shook her head. “What a strange comment.” If the thought of him having lunch with the bubbly blonde made her teeth clench, it didn't really occur to her as she turned the words over in her mind.
For the rest of the day Rossiath felt as though something was missing. It wasn't until she was getting ready for bed that she realized what it was.
Gillis had not once mentioned the house.
