Page 4 of Ava's Legacy of the Dragons
Ava's heart leaped. "Do you have the good olive oil from Italy again?"
"As if I'd offer you any other."
She hungrily eyed the food containers. Just the thought of it made her stomach growl. "Great, thanks. See you later." She grabbed the change, waved to the two of them, and left the shop before Francesco could continue his flirting attempts.
The dayin the decoration shop went like any other. After she and Aunt Helen had devoured the delicious gnocchi, they reopened and served one customer after another. Whenever she had a free minute, Ava would focus on the bookkeeping. She wanted to finish the work today. Just because she did the paperwork for Helen didn't mean she enjoyed it.
Absorbed as she was in her work, she forgot what she had felt and heard on the bridge, which didn't matter anyway. When she could finally put aside the account books, she helped Helen with the arrangements, as most had already been sold. She tied a wreath of autumn flowers and colorful leaves. It wasn't nearly as beautiful as Helen's, but she wanted to do her part.
The shop bell rang and she looked up to see Hanna coming in. She walked much more ponderously than her aunt, although she had only recently passed sixty. Perhaps it was because, unlike Helen, she didn't go forwalks in the forest three times a week and wasn't one for climbing stairs.
"Hello, you two, are you keeping busy?"
"Hey." Ava waved briefly before getting back to work, while Helen greeted her friend with a hug.
"What are you doing here at this time?"
Hanna waved it off. "My husband can manage the tavern on his own for thirty minutes, especially since almost everyone is going to Giovanni's today anyway."
Helen perked up. "Is Francesco visiting?"
Hanna nodded. "I wanted to ask if you two are coming to the annual bachelor auction this weekend." She looked at Ava. "I'll also be baking your favorite cake."
While Ava rolled her eyes, Helen chuckled. "Bachelors... They can still call themselves that?"
"It's the only way they can get the only pretty young woman into the tavern." Hanna grinned at Ava, who just shook her head. She didn't have the energy to amuse the old gentlemen. Not even for what was, admittedly, a very tempting piece of pear cake.
"I saw through that trick when I was twelve. I'll pass. But say hello to your husband for me."
Hanna's shoulders sagged in disappointment. "That will make the bachelors a lot less willing to participate."
Ava braced herself for the guilt trip that Hanna was so good at, but her aunt showed mercy. She engaged the neighbor in a conversation about now neglectful the forester had been, letting the hiking trails become overgrown, and about the empty houses on the outskirts of town, where many had hoped that young families would finally move in. No wonder! If Ava really were to leave for the wider world, the average age in the small town would increase by decades.
Between countless customersattracted by the colorful shop window and new deliveries that needed to be restocked in the warehouse, the day just flew by. When it was time to close up and head home, Ava walked her aunt to her car. Helen placed her handbag on the back seat.
"Are you coming home now?"
Ava shook her head. "I'm going to stretch my legs a bit..." she started, then added silently,...and enjoy the feeling of having the sky above my head.
Helen smiled. "Go ahead, Ava, and don't just collect stones again. If you don't come home tonight, I'll know you've finally set off on your own adventure. Follow your nose. Who knows where it might lead you?"
Eyebrows raised, Ava gestured to the clothes she had on. She had tied her chestnut-brown hair into a loose bun at the nape of her neck, wasn't wearing any makeup except mascara, and had on dark jeans, comfortable boots, and a thin sweater. Over this was a scarf with a burgundy color that complemented the subtle red of her hair, along with a short, dark brown leather jacket.
"Apart from the fact that I'll be freezing my butt off in two hours at the latest, do I look ready for an adventure?"
"Not on the outside, but I can see it in those brown eyes of yours, which are sparkling especially conspicuously today. Is that perhaps because of the handsome Italian?" With the last word, Helen poked her in the chest with her finger.
Ava wouldn't answer that. "See you later."
"Hopefully not." Helen winked. "Follow your heart." She waved, got into the car, and drove away.
Shaking her head, Ava watched her leave. She knew Helen was serious, but she also knew that her aunt would have problems if she really were to leave. Who would fetch the goods from the top shelf? Who would do the accounting? Who would keep her company on long, lonely winter evenings?
But she didn't want to think about that right now. She needed fresh air and the feeling of being free.
Lost in thought, she started walking. A cool wind tickled her nose, bringing with it a scent she couldn't place. No matter how long she pondered, she couldn't figure out what it was. Meanwhile, she strolled along the street for a few meters until she reached the bridge.
As she reached the overpass, she caught a glimmer in the corner of her eye. She had noticed it at noon, too. Looking for the source, she gazed at the sky. A few clouds had moved in front of the sun, which was already low over the treetops, so it couldn't have just been a reflection of light. Strange.
