Karl stood at the door to the kitchen now, biting his lip. "So you’re going...?" he asked.
She walked over and rested her hand on his cheek, brushing her thumb gently under his eye where it was still puffy. "Yes. Milo needs warm food tonight. He’ll feel better knowing we care for him."
Karl nodded, though his bottom lip wobbled a little. "I wanted to come too but... Brother Adi said he’d be late with work, so... I’ll stay. Watch the house." He puffed out his chest just a bit, like he was trying to convince himself.
Ruby leaned forward and kissed his forehead softly. "That’s good. I need you here, alright? Make sure the doors stay locked, don’t open the door for anyone you don’t know. You’re the guard tonight, my brave one."
Karl sniffed, cheeks turning pink at the praise. "I will. I’ll watch the house. I won’t let anyone come in..." He tried to smile, and Ruby let out a soft chuckle.
She gave his shoulder a little squeeze, grabbing her bag. "Good. If you get scared, call me. I’ll come back soon."
Karl nodded again, his eyes round as he watched her pull on her raincoat and slip into her shoes. "Be safe, wife... and tell Milo I said he has to eat everything!"
Ruby drove carefully, the sky still drizzling that soft, persistent red mist that turned every streetlight into a glowing halo. The town market wasn’t too crowded this late in the evening, but a few people still hurried under shelter, their hoods pulled tight, little trails of mist drifting behind them.
She parked near the hospital first, dropped off Milo’s warm tiffin with Julian — who thanked her with that gentle smile that always eased her shoulders then slipped back into her car and drove to the small row of shops on the main street. Julian had asked her for a few things.
When she stepped out of the car, she tugged her own raincoat tighter, feeling oddly proud when she caught sight of two witch waiting at a street stall — both wearing her raincoats, the neat seams and bright hoods so familiar now. One of them turned and gave Ruby a polite nod, not even knowing who she was. It made her heart feel warm in the middle of the chilly drizzle.
I really need to hire more people, she reminded herself as she walked. The latest batch had sold out in days, and the waiting list kept growing but with no extra space in her current workshop, she couldn’t push her team harder than they already worked. The new land she’d finally bought beside her office felt like a quiet blessing.
She pushed open the door to the little market shop. A bell jingled overhead as warm air brushed her cold cheeks. She unbuttoned her raincoat and slipped it off at the entrance, hanging it carefully on the hook near the door. A few other customers stood at the shelves, baskets half full, some still shaking droplets off their umbrellas.
Ruby paused near a small stand of kitchen goods, reaching for Julian’s list in her pocket.
She walked around, this shop had all types of items– little shelves full of soaps, oils, household things and small snacks. She needed new toothpaste and the Dusky soap Julian always used, and for Milo, that soft Yellow Lotus soap he liked so much.
They used to use just one cheap soap, never wasting extra coins on fancy things. Back then, they only worried about food. Now she felt warm inside seeing how they trusted her enough to let her choose what suited each of them like a real family.
Ruby walked over to the shelf and spotted the Dusky soap. She reached out, her fingers brushing the box, but just then, another hand grabbed the same soap. She startled a little, her eyes snapping up.
A ghost was standing there, he had gorgeous blonde hair that looked so soft it almost glowed under the shop’s warm lights. His eyes were deep electric blue, so clear they made her pause. He wore a pretty white robe and she knew in one glance it was designed by her own company.
Ruby blinked. This... guy... She frowned slightly, feeling a tiny twist in her chest she couldn’t name.
Kaelan looked right at her, that little smile on his lips. "I got it first," he said, his voice deep but smooth.
Ruby nodded, trying not to stare too much. "Yeah, it’s fine... you can take it." She watched him for a second as he turned and walked toward the counter. The ends of his blonde hair brushed the collar of the white robe.
She let out a breath and grabbed another Dusky soap from the shelf. His faint perfume or whatever fancy perfume he used still lingered in the air near her nose, fresh and cold and expensive.
Ruby pressed the soap into her basket and looked around for the Yellow Lotus soap for Milo. But her mind kept drifting back to that stranger in her robe, the expensive scent of him still floating behind like a small mystery in the middle of her simple shopping trip.
When she finally finished, Ruby slipped her raincoat back on by the door, tucking her hair neatly into the hood so the drizzle wouldn’t cling to her neck. She cradled her small protective bag close — the little zipper pouches and thick waxed fabric made sure everything inside stayed dry, even if the wind made the rain dance in every direction.
Stepping outside, the soft hiss of the rain greeted her, tiny drops pattering on her shoulders and the hood of her coat. She glanced around the quiet street — the shops were still glowing warm behind their glass windows, streetlights casting long, misty shadows across the slick red pavement.
Her boots made a soft splash, splash as she walked toward her car parked under one of the dim street lamps.
—To be continued...🪄