Chapter Four #3
Resisting the urge to snatch up the handful and shove it into her mouth, Jo put her hands on her hips. “I was explaining to my landlord just last week that despite Ruby’s lineage, she is still just a dog.”
“All right, all right,” Joseph conceded. “But whether wolf, dog, or young woman, a single roll is still not enough.”
Of course it’s not, Jo wanted to scream, but it was all she could afford. Forcing a smile to her lips, she said, “Just the bread please.”
Again, Joseph outstretched his hand. “’Tis a gift.”
Jo stood her ground. “I appreciate your kindness, but I cannot accept your charity.”
Giving her a dismissive look, he turned to Ruby.
“This has nothing to do with you, Jo. The matter of pie versus roll is between me and Ruby.” He outstretched his hand toward her dog.
Despite his savory offering, Ruby’s lips curled in a fierce snarl.
“Come on, girl,” Joseph pleaded, his voice low and soothing.
“Come and get it. It’s been nearly a full year since we first met.
Show your mistress how you truly feel about me. ”
In response, Ruby’s low growl deepened. Despite the dog’s clear warning, Joseph reached his hand out further and lifted his foot to step closer, but Ruby lunged. Poised and ready, Jo pulled Ruby back, ensuring her snapping jaws clamped down on air instead of the baker’s hand.
“I’m sorry she refused your offering, Joseph, but it’s nothing you did wrong. She doesn’t like anyone; you know that.”
Joseph shrugged good-naturedly. “She doesn’t like me yet, but there’s always tomorrow.” He tossed the pie at Ruby’s feet.
“Joseph!”
A partial smile curved the baker’s lips. “What? It slipped out of my hand.”
She cocked her brow at the young man but allowed her smile to break through her disapproval. “Thank you, Joseph, but we must be off. The tailor is expecting me before the day’s end.”
“Good luck, fair Jo.”
She waved, flashing her young friend a smile before pulling her hood low over her brow and dropping her gaze to the ground. Lengthening her strides, she hastened back toward home, her mind fixed completely on her work.
Turning onto Tivoli, she froze. Two massive men dressed in simple homespun woolen tunics and hose tucked inside tall boots, stood outside her neighbor’s house.
One of the men had blond hair, which was woven into a single plait that skimmed his lower back.
His shoulders were broad, bulging with muscles that strained the fabric of his tunic, and judging by the mighty hammer strapped to his back and his thick arms, she guessed he was a blacksmith by trade.
His companion had red hair, bright as fire in the sunshine, which fell in disarray down his broad back.
He was even taller than the blacksmith, although his build was slightly leaner.
Strapped to his back was a broad sword so massive, she doubted she would have the strength to wield it.
She tightened her grip on Ruby’s leash and narrowed her eyes on the strangers’ wide, sinewy backs. What did such daunting men want with her quiet neighbor anyway?
Drummond was an older man, slight of build.
The top of his head barely came up to her chin.
He was thick around the middle and had a rim of snow-white hair wrapped around his otherwise bald head.
A man of few words, he left home only to attend Mass, and except for the odd delivery, he never had visitors.
As if the red-haired man sensed her gaze, he jerked around, and they locked eyes.
Jo stiffened and Ruby growled, moving to stand protectively in front of her.
The man’s gaze dropped to Ruby for a moment, but then he looked up and once again locked eyes with her.
She swallowed hard as she took in his powerful body and his strong features.
Even at a distance, she could see the radiant blue of his eyes, like the sky in August, bright and clear.
A shiver shot up her spine when he suddenly smiled at her, his whole face softening.
So struck was she by his gentle handsomeness that she almost forgot herself...
almost. Just as her lips began to upturn, she dropped her gaze.
On another day, she would have just turned on her heel and walked back the way she’d come, but today was too important.
“Hush, girl,” she soothed, stroking her hand down Ruby’s erect hackles. “If they were after me, we would know it by now.” She chanced another glance in their direction. The red-haired man was still staring at her, but there was no recognition or malice in his gaze...only admiration.
“Blast,” she cursed under her breath. It mattered naught how blue his eyes were or gentle his smile. She didn’t have time for this.
Just go away, you big lugs, she wanted to scream. The fabric in her loom was not going to weave itself.
“Thank you, God,” she murmured when at last, the blond giant opened Drummond’s door and passed inside. The red-haired man dipped his head to her. His lips curved in a sensual smile that, on another day, would have made her heart race. Then, he turned and followed his friend.
Relieved, Jo hastened toward her door and swung it wide. Immediately, she untied Ruby’s leash, then crossed to her loom, sat down, and got to work.