Falling for Forever by Caitlin Ricci Page B

you didn't need her."
    Bryn smiled at him and blushed. "Thank you, Luca."
    "It's the truth."
    They smiled at each other and walked into town. Luca knew that the people couldn't understand him when he spoke, but they wouldn't be kind to Bryn if they saw her talking in his language. He stayed close by her side as they went through the busy town.
    There were carts and people everywhere. Bryn shuddered as men and women yelled around her. She saw Angie and quickly ran to meet her.
    "Hello, Bryn," Angie called as Bryn caught up. "And who is this handsome gentleman?" She looked Luca over and smiled. "You could get a good price for a horse as beautiful as he is."
    Bryn laughed and shook her head as Luca snorted in disgust. "He's a friend, Angie. I could never sell him."
    "What's his name, dear?"
    "Luca."
    Angie curtseyed dramatically. "Please to meet you, Luca."
    Luca nickered, and they followed Angie down a long aisle of carts.
    "What's going on?" Bryn softly asked, wide-eyed. She had never before seen so many people all in one place. Even when Franklin had thrown his lavish parties many years ago, there were never so many people. That had been before he had lost all his money. Back before he needed to find new ways to make it, first with her friends and then later with her.
    "'Tis market day," Angie explained as she followed Bryn's gaze. After a few moments, Angie's eyes settled back on her. "I'm headed up north for bit. I shouldn't be gone more than a week. My sister, Abigail, will be having her baby soon. I plan to be there and help in whatever way I can. You be careful now. Don't get all your dresses dirty before I have a chance to make you new ones," she warned sternly.
    Both women knew Angie wasn't just warning her about getting dirty.
    "I promise not to roll around in any mud until you get back," Bryn replied. For the first time, her stomach didn't hurt and her mind didn't wander at the mention of a child. She was genuinely happy for the woman. "Will I get to meet the baby?"
    "Absolutely. My sister would love to meet you, and I bet the baby would too. And not just because of your… um… unusual attributes," Angie said in a hushed whisper. There were strangers about.
    Bryn blushed and nodded. "I would like to meet them too."
    "Then it's settled. As soon as the baby is old enough, and my sister is strong again, I will bring them here, and we will all have some tea," Angie replied with a warm smile. She pulled Bryn into a tight hug before saying goodbye to them both. Angie patted Luca's forehead before turning to go.
    As she watched the woman leave, Bryn stroked Luca's cheek. "What would she like to eat?" she softly asked him.
    Luca followed her through the clusters of people.
    "These look good," she said as she fingered a few white chicken eggs. She paid for them, and the man gave her a basket to keep them safe. Bryn moved on to the next cart, Luca close beside her. She bought a jar of honey from the woman and then a loaf of warm bread from the man next to her. Next came butter and fresh orange juice.
    They rounded the corner, and Bryn walked up to a man selling meat. He had rows of sausages, hams of all sizes, and many different large chunks of steak.
    "Does Mariah eat meat?" she whispered to Luca as the man finished with a customer.
    "Hello there, miss. Would you care for some fresh ham?" he asked her. Bryn smiled at the man and nodded. He wrapped it for her and handed her the package. "It's already cooked, so you don't have to worry about that, miss. It'll be one silver please."
    She handed him the money and tentatively put the package in the basket. Her hands felt dirty touching the meat, but she reminded herself that it was for Mariah and that if she liked it, then it would be okay. Bryn thanked the man and then followed Luca to another section of carts.
    They pushed their way through a bunch of playing children and their doting mothers before finally finding a calmer part of the mass. Bryn looked around, her eyes