They passed one farmhouse after the next, each brimming with charm in their own right. Like the barn that had an American flag painted on it with the wordsGod Bless America.
Or the farm that had the cutest sage green home in the background. The old rocking chairs on the porch made her think of warm, cozy nights on the patio, sipping iced tea while the sun set. Or fresh cool mornings curled up to a mug of coffee as the birds chirped their greeting.
Best of all were the baby goats, colts, and calves playfully trotting circles around those grazing on the green grass. Soon the scenery started to change. A small and rather sorry-looking plaza, its dated billboard marking the suites within. A bank, a bakery, a nail salon, and a bowling alley. Next to that was a café, a pub, and a hand-crafted leather store which also sold ceramics, according to the sign.
This small town was, in its own way, as charming as the countryside.
A young mom and her daughter drifted through the aisles of an outdoor produce shop ahead. Leafy greens balanced atop a pile of colorful fruit in her basket. One day, Ava would drive into town on her own, do a little exploring, and approach a few of these businesses to see if they had need for an accountant.
“I figured we’d take care of the printing calculator first, and then check out the places you’re interested in,” Richard said as he pulled into a shop beside the grocery store.
Ava glanced up to see the sign on the store’s front—Jack’s Hardware.She shot a sideways glance to Richard.
“Oh, did you read the bottom part?” he asked.
She turned her eyes back to the sign to see the small print beneath. “And office supplies.” A laugh coated the words.
“I know, right?” Richard killed the engine and unlatched his belt. “I looked online to see who here would have one. This place, believe it or not, had a few to choose from. There’s another place in the next town over if this doesn’t have what we need.”
He’d done his research, had he? She liked that. Wren was not a do-your-research type of guy. He was pompous, assumptive, and ridiculously ticked off when things didn’t go his way when a tiny bit of effort on his part could have saved him the trouble that angered him.
The recollection alone made her limbs tense.
She shook it off, hiked her purse straps over her shoulder, and climbed out of the car as Richard did. At the entrance, he pulled the door open and motioned for her to step inside.
“Thanks,” she said with a nod. Ava wasn’t sure where the new sense of awkwardness was coming from. It wasn’t as if she and Richard were what she’d call friends yet. They were headed there, she could tell that much. But at this point, he was more of an acquaintance. And entering some new town in a place she’d never been with a guy she barely knew felt odd, to say the least.
“Howdy, there,” boomed a voice from the front counter. “Can I help you two find anything?”
Ava spun on one heel to see a burly man with a beard hoist a package onto the counter.
“Yes, I’m looking for a printing calculator,” she said.
“Ah.” The man tipped his head back. “I’m just going to walk you to them, if you don’t mind. Easier than explaining how to find it.”
“That would be great, thank you.”
He circled the checkout counter and extended an arm as he neared. “I’m Jack, by the way.”
“Ava,” she said, shaking his hand.
Richard met his handshake next. “Richard.”
Jack proceeded down a nearby aisle. “You two new in town or just passing through?”
“A little of both,” Ava said as she followed him. Richard trailed behind her as she continued. “We’re staying outside of town, but I’m looking for a place to rent here in town.”
Richard tugged her arm from behind, causing her to glance over her shoulder. He shook his head in caution, a stern expression on his face.
“Well, you might just be in luck,” Jack said. “Is it for the both of you or just you?”
“Both,” Richard blurted before she could answer. He placed his hand along her lower back as if to claim her.
“Oh, never mind,” Jack said with a shrug. “My sister—she’s probably about your age—she’s looking for a roommate.”
Ava shot a look at Richard. It would probably cost a lot less to rent a room than an entire house or apartment.
“Here we are,” Jack said as he stopped walking. “We’ve even got two of them to choose from. Can’t tell you why one is more than twice the price of the other but—”
