Sunset Rubies

Unexpected Visitors

“Hey, Keith, check it out.” Claire pointed towards the little shop where they purchased their supplies. Sprawled in the sun beside the door was Clarissa’s pet wolf whose ears perked when she spotted her master’s suitor.

Mark steadily walked towards the shop, brushing imagined dirt from his pants and tucking in his shirt. He brushed his hair to the side with his hand. The messy wave didn’t stay put and fell back into its original state.

Both her brothers had stopped shaving their heads when they returned to Danyon and Mark was currently growing his out, while Keith kept his own short. It had taken quite a while for her to adjust to their full heads of red hair.

“And he tries to pretend he’s not crazy for Clarissa?” She snorted.

“Yep,” Keith chuckled. She brushed a stray hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear. She wondered if Keith would admit how deep his feelings were for Shaylee. She looked up at him and he mirrored her arched brow. Probably not.

“Know what I like best about the new changes in you?” He asked, abruptly intercepting the conversation before it could turn to his own love life.

“No. What?” She asked.

“You’ve grown up to be the prettiest girl around, but not one man has the guts to do a thing about it. Mark and I are able to relax because you are such a threat to their manliness.” His laugh was cut off by her swift elbow to his stomach.

She rolled her eyes. It was true not one man had showed more than a passing interest in her, but she was sure the constant looming of the twins still played a big role in that. She had to admit that it probably didn’t help that she was their savior on top of all that. She sighed.

She only hoped that her meddling would enhance her brothers’ love lives enough that they would ease up a little when she finally found someone for herself. At least that was her goal in encouraging a match between her brothers and her friends. Fortunately, she had little interest in men right now so it gave her time to play matchmaker. Keith’s chuckles had her looking at him suspiciously.

“What’s so funny?”

“Oh nothing, I was just thinking about what a temper you have sometimes.”

“And that’s funny?”

“What I imagined you doing with that temper was.”

“Enlighten me.”

“I was just picturing you beating the pants off some poor sap.”

“And the nature of his crime?” she grinned.

“Offering you flowers, of course!” Keith laughed. She couldn’t help but giggle. It wasn’t uncommon for her brothers to imagine her cutting down young men in their prime for the offense of wanting to court her. It had been one of their favorite fantasies since she was little.

“Yeah, Mark told me the same thing the other day. You two are too funny. As if I even have the time or interest to think about romance...for myself,” she winked.

“It could happen, but I’m glad the chances are slim,” he laughed.

“Let’s go to Xina’s Inn, I’m craving a berry tart.” He nodded his agreement and draped his arm around her shoulder in that brotherly way that told the world ‘this is my little sister, stay away!’ When they reached the steps of the inn Claire noticed a growing ruckus down the street. She didn’t pay it any mind at first since the streets were bustling with festival preparations, but then she noticed the urgency in the voices.

“What do you think that’s all about?” She nodded towards the growing crowd.

“Who knows, want to check it out or eat?” Keith asked. She considered it before shaking her head.

“Ah, we’ll probably hear about it within the hour anyway, let’s just eat.” There were never secrets in a village this small.

“Right behind you.” He gave a dramatic bow, gesturing for her to proceed into the inn. They made it to a table and took a seat moments before the butcher’s son stormed into the candle lit room.

“Claire, come quick, he’s asking for you. They’re going to kill him if you don’t hurry,” The young boy panted as he ran towards their table. He grabbed her hand and began tugging her and added excitedly, “I know you’ll want to do it yourself!” Keith and Claire shared a confused look, but she shrugged and let the boy pull her to her feet.

“Well, I guess that will show me. Next time we’ll see what the fuss is and then eat.” She allowed herself to be towed out the door and into the crowd with Keith close behind. Mark joined them as they passed the butcher’s shop.

“What’s going on?” he asked.

“Not sure but…” A small cry cut her words off as the crowd divided and she found herself staring into a familiar set of stunning grey eyes. For a moment she was assaulted by a hundred conflicting emotions; relief, joy, hate, excitement, betrayal, and pain. All accompanied by a certain sharp pang in her heart.