As they headed out, Milo walked close by Ruby’s side. "Wife, we can walk to the market. It’s alright..." he said softly, trying to reassure her.
Ruby looked at him with a gentle smile, reaching up to pat his head. "No, your legs might hurt again after walking a long distance. I don’t want to risk you," she said, her tone firm but caring.
Milo’s cheeks flushed a soft red at her words, his eyes glancing down shyly. Julian, standing nearby, bit his lip as he watched them. After a pause, he cleared his throat and spoke up, "I know someone who can take us to the market, but... he’ll charge a fee."
Ruby nodded without hesitation. "That’s fine; we might need help moving furniture anyway."
"Alright, let’s go." Julian reached for her hand instinctively. Ruby glanced down at their joined hands, and Julian quickly noticed her slight hesitation, letting go just as quickly. They shared a brief look, and she gave him a small nod.
They walked around the market for a few minutes, weaving through the bustling crowd. As they passed by a familiar bakery, Ruby’s eyes fell upon a figure she hadn’t expected to see—Emil, the ghost who had almost gotten her in trouble with the public not long ago. He was standing by the bakery window, and as he noticed her, his face changed. His eyes turned red, filled with sadness, and his expression softened with an almost desperate longing.
Ruby rolled her eyes, annoyed, and turned her head away, ignoring him.
"Wife, why is he looking at you like that..." Milo asked, noticing Emil dash out of the bakery to stand by the door, staring at Ruby with big, wet red eyes.
Ruby gave a quick glance over her shoulder, catching Emil’s gaze, which held that same sad, pleading look. She scoffed, turning her attention back to her husbands. "Why is he looking at me like that? Maybe he’s just trying to cause trouble again," she said with a cold edge.
As they continued down the street, Emil remained at the bakery door, his eyes following Ruby’s every step until she vanished into the crowd, his longing look lingering even as she disappeared from view.
Julian led Ruby and Milo to an old shop that looked like it sold grains. As they stepped inside, he called out, "Uncle... Uncle!"
A middle-aged ghost with a fierce expression appeared from the back, his brows furrowed. But the moment he saw Julian, his face softened a bit, the tension in his shoulders relaxing.
"Yeah, Julian? You called me—anything you need?" the ghost asked, wiping his hands with an old towel.
Julian lowered his gaze, his voice polite. "Yes, Uncle. We need to get to the big market. If you could help us get there, my wife is willing to pay."
The ghost’s eyes widened in surprise as he looked over at Ruby. When he met her gaze, he was taken aback. Her eyes were clear, sharp, and full of purpose. It felt like a miracle; the Ruby he remembered always had an unfocused, distant look in her eyes. Her hair used to be messy and knotted, like she’d given up caring.
But here she was, standing with confidence, her appearance neat and her presence calm. The ghost cleared his throat, composing himself as he looked back at Julian. "Well... I’d be happy to help," he said, still glancing at Ruby with a hint of amazement.
"Alright then, let’s get you to the market. Just follow me to my wagon—it’s parked right behind the shop."
He then called out to his wife, asking her to watch over the shop while he was gone.
Ruby gave him a nod of gratitude, and Julian let out a relieved sigh.
The old ghost stepped outside, guiding them to a beautifully crafted, flying wagon. Ruby’s eyes widened as she took in the sight—a sleek, polished wooden frame with delicate carvings along its sides. The driver’s seat was arranged with an elegant set of handles and glowing buttons, giving the whole setup an almost magical feel.
The passenger area was equally impressive, with plush seats that looked both comfortable and sturdy. The seating arrangement had a gentle glow, making the whole wagon look like it was enchanted.
Julian smiled at Ruby’s reaction, clearly amused. "Uncle here has the best ride in town," he said gently, patting the side of the wagon.
Otis smiled warmly, his fierce exterior softening as he looked at Julian and Ruby. "I bought this wagon with my life’s savings," he said, pride evident in his voice. "Now, I don’t have to worry. People call me for all kinds of things—moving furniture, long-distance rides. I earn over fifty gems a month, easy. But it’s not about the money, really. I just want to show the young ones, like you both, that whether you’re a witch or a ghost, hard work always shines through, sooner or later. Never lose hope, Ruby. I can see you’ve changed, dear... keep up the hard work."
Ruby smiled, genuinely touched by his words. "That’s inspiring, Uncle. We could definitely use your help. We just bought a house, and we’re heading to the market to buy furniture. It would be wonderful if you could assist us with transporting it back."
She studied Otis with admiration, noticing how his tough face hid a warm, encouraging soul. He was like a coconut—hard on the outside, yet soft on the inside.
"You’ve really changed, Ruby! God bless you," Otis said with a smile. "I’ve even added compartments underneath for furniture—beds, tables, anything you need. Come on, hop in!"
"Thank you, Uncle Otis," Julian replied gratefully, his tone gentle.
Otis laughed heartily. "No need to thank me! Just remember to call on me anytime you need a ride or help moving things around."
Otis climbed onto the driver’s seat, gesturing for them to take their places. Ruby carefully helped Milo get settled, then turned to Julian, who accepted her assistance with a shy smile. She couldn’t help but find it amusing, seeing how her small gestures made both Milo and Julian blush, their cheeks warming with a soft pink.
—To be continued...🪄