He doesn’t speak for a moment, and I hold my breath.

“The tall one,” Kellyn answers.

“The quiet one?” his father inquires.

“Yes, she’s really quite amazing when she does speak.”

“Well, there! Stop swinging that sword around, marry the girl, and settle down. That’s how things are meant to be done.”

I nearly drop my buckets.

“Da, I don’t want to give up the sword. Besides, Ziva thinks I’m a selfish crook who’s obsessed with money. She’ll never have me.”

“Have you made a gesture?” Garon asks.

“Oh, Da—”

“No, you listen here, young man. Your ma was the beauty of the village. Every lad and some of the ladies wanted her. But do you know what I did?”

“You didn’t propose first; you proposed the grandest,” Kellyn utters, deadpan, as though he’s heard the words a million times.

“That’s right. I declared my love in front of the entire village. I laid my soul bare to show her just how much I cared.”

“People don’t marry so young anymore, Da. Besides, this one doesn’t like grand gestures. She hates attention. That would never go over well.”

“Then think of what would be a grand gesture to her and do it. Women are all about us telling them our feelings and showing that we care. Do that, and she won’t be able to say no to you.”

“This conversation is making me really uncomfortable.”

“Well, good. You should be uncomfortable. Love is uncomfortable at first. It’s terrifying and exhilarating. But that will pass. It will become easier and something that you need rather than want. And if that doesn’t happen, then you’re with the wrong person.”

“I know, Da.”

“Good.”

I shuffle away from the pair before I’m seen, my mind whirling with the overheard words. I had no idea Kellyn’s father was such a romantic, but that doesn’t surprise me as much as Kellyn’s first words.

I bring the water into the house for Kahlia before excusing myself. I head for the surrounding trees, near the hammocks, needing time to think. Birdsong mixes with the rushing river in a soothing tone. The grass dents comfortably under my boots, and the trees provide me cover.

But either I wasn’t as quiet as I thought or Kellyn saw me tiptoeing over here.

Because he’s suddenly there.

He looks troubled. “How much of that did you overhear?”

“Probably all of it.”

“I’m so sorry. My da is ridiculous.”

“I think he’s sweet.” But that’s beside the point. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

He shuffles between putting his weight on his left and right leg. “I’m going to need you to be more specific.”

“I thought you selfish. I was so angry at you for taking our money and not jumping into danger when you were needed. But it was all for your family. They desperately need the money, and they can’t afford to lose you.”

He doesn’t say anything, so I repeat, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because … it was easier to let you think me a villain than to tell you some sob story about my poor and enormous family.”