"Good morning." I joined the line of customers.
Chicha hopped down from her window perch and trotted over to investigate me, her tail wagging cautiously. She sniffed my boots, then looked up at me with those surprisingly intelligent and curious eyes.
"Well, this is new," Kailin said, finishing with her customer. "She usually doesn't take to strangers so quickly."
"I have this effect on females of all species," I said before I could stop myself.
Kailin rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched with amusement as she turned her attention to the next in line.
The guy she'd been helping before glared at me as he passed me by, but I didn't know whether it was because of my Elurian appearance or because Kailin had greeted me so warmly while still serving him.
"Gran," Kailin called and turned to look over her shoulder toward the back room, which was separated from the front of the store by a curtain. "We need more of the joint pain salve."
An older woman emerged, her silver hair pulled back in a neat bun, her blue eyes, so like Kailin's, sharp and assessing as they fell on me before turning to the lady Kailin was now helping.
"How are you doing, Ronda?" she asked.
"Oh, you know how it is, Jaida." Ronda sighed. "My old arthritic hands are giving me trouble when the weather changes."
"Yes, I do indeed know, unfortunately." Jaida pulled several jars from her apron pocket and handed one to Ronda. "Age is not kind to either of us. Anything else I can do for you?"
"Maybe some sleeping tea," Ronda said. "I have a hard time falling asleep."
"I know just the thing for that." Jaida cast me one more curious glance before ducking behind the curtain.
I waited patiently while Kailin helped the next customer and her grandmother returned with the tea for Ronda. I waited some more as Kailin helped the next person in line, and then I was finally the last one left in the store.
"How can I help you, young man?" Jaida asked.
"I was hoping that you would have something for altitude sickness. My cousin and I could sure use some help with that."
"Oh, I do." She turned her gaze to Kailin. "Is this the merchant from Vedona you told me about?"
The grandmother's knowing look made me wonder what Kailin had said about me.
"Yes." Kailin nodded. "This is Alar."
I dipped my head. "It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am."
Jaida narrowed her eyes at me. "I'm surprised a fine Elurian like yourself didn't equip himself with the proper medications before traveling to Elucia. Most outlanders don't respect our traditional medicines." She fixed me with a penetrating stare. "They prefer their fancy pills."
I met her gaze steadily. "My mother always says that nature provides the best remedies if we're wise enough to use them properly."
"Does she now?" The old woman's expression softened. "Well, she sounds like a sensible woman. Let me see what I can prepare for you."
Once Jaida disappeared behind the curtain, Kailin gave me an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that. Gran can be a little too forward. She's very protective."
"Of her granddaughter or her herbs?"
"Both." Kailin laughed, and the sound made something warm unfurl in my chest.
Chicha, who had settled at my feet, thumped her tail against the floor.
"My dog seems to like you." Kailin raised the hinged piece of the counter and walked over to me.
Crouching down, she scratched behind Chicha's ears. The movement brought her close enough that I could smell the herbal scent clinging to her hair—something fresh and green, like mountain meadows after a rainfall.
"Your little dog has excellent taste." I fought the urge to reach out and touch one of the loose strands that had escaped Kailin's braid.
