Stranger in the Moonlight (Edilean 7)

“Believe me, getting told to get lost is no romance,” Reede said.

“And that attitude is the reason everyone still talks about you and the Chawnley girl,” Roan said.

“You know how you could stop the gossip, don’t you?” Russell asked. He was a new friend to both men.

“I know this is a trick, but what is it?”

“You should get married,” Russell said.

Reede nearly choked on his beer.

Roan laughed. “Well said, and I couldn’t agree more wholeheartedly.”

“What about you?” Reede was looking at his cousin.

“I missed out on Jecca.”

“We both did, but at least I didn’t nearly lose Tris’s friendship over her,” Reede said.

Roan grinned. “Who would have thought that a city girl like her was actually a woman?”

“They grow them in the cities too, you know.”

“Maybe.” Roan didn’t sound convinced.

“If you two are through with your bromance,” Russell said, “I’m serious, Reede. You should get a wife. You can’t cook and you’re losing weight. You live in that awful apartment, and your bad temper is legendary.”

Reede gave a one-sided grin. “It keeps the staff in line.”

“Ha!” Roan said. “Those poor girls are in the matchmaking business, and you’re their only client.”

Reede ran his hand over his face. “Do you have any idea what they do to me? A few months ago they gave a party and they—”

“Invited every eligible female around,” Roan cut in as he leaned toward Russell. “We’d never before seen such a flurry of dress buying in the history of Edilean. I heard that one of the women bought a dress, changed her mind, and took it back.”

“Is that bad?” Russell asked.

“She did it six times,” Roan said, obviously enjoying Reede’s discomfort.

Russell was frowning. “Did you like any of the women?”

“How would I know?” Reede asked. “They were all so disgustingly agreeable that I couldn’t figure out any of them. If I’d said I liked to torture baby ducks for a hobby I’m sure all of them would have agreed with me.”

“Whoever heard of an agreeable woman being something bad?” Russell asked. “Did you date any of them later?”

“No,” Reede said. “I don’t have time for dating. Besides, I’ve tried it and it doesn’t work. I get called out on an emergency and have to stand her up and she gets angry. Or I see her as a patient and that never works out.”

“So you live in lonely solitude,” Roan said.

“Look who’s talking,” Reede said. “You want a woman who can discuss philosophy with you and also repair your chain saw.”

“I was sooooo close,” Roan said.

“What does that mean?” Russell asked.

“Too long a story,” Reede answered. “I’m going home and go to bed.”

“Wow!” Roan said as he looked around Reede to the front of the tavern. “Speaking of female bliss, look what just walked in.”