The warmth in her stomach grew stronger. Strange. It was definitely too early for hot flashes. She didn't even have children yet! Not that she wanted any... Still, the feeling was too strong to just be her imagination.
Something flashed in the distance. Frowning, she looked towards the riverbank, but she couldn't make out where the sparkle had come from. Probably a piece of glass breaking the sunlight. A stone couldn't be responsible for that. And the warmth in her stomach was surely due to her hunger. As if to confirm, her stomach growled.
"Hey Ava, do you hear the wide world calling you?"
The old chimney sweep came along the bridge. Hewas wearing the typical black uniform and black leather boots. Although he was no longer in his prime, he loved the work that involved balancing on people's rooftops. He leaned on the railing and followed her gaze to the river. His gray hair had noticeably thinned, and the individual strands fluttered in the wind.
She waved it off. "I thought I saw something sparkle."
He nodded contentedly to himself, chewing on his tobacco as always. "Well, that's a start. You know, they say that long ago, there was much more land beyond the river. A vast world where fire and magic played a crucial role."
She was definitely too old for such children's stories and, more importantly, too hungry! "Sorry, I have to go. I'm on my way to Giovanni's. If I don't get back soon, Aunt Helen will be up on that ladder again."
He laughed huskily. "Then you'd better hurry. Not because of Helen, she does whatever she wants anyway, but because of Giovanni. The gnocchi with sage butter are almost sold out."
Her stomach grumbled indignantly. "Thanks for the tip. See you later." She nodded to him, and although her heart still whispered for her to go to the riverbank, she turned away from the rushing water and continued on her way.
Chapter 2
Ava cursed when she saw the crowd that had packed into the small restaurant. Glancing at the church tower clock, she confirmed that she wasn't later than usual. Had Giovanni been handing out flyers again, promising a ten percent discount on lunch?
She hurried towards the shop and was about to open the door when Agnes came out, her gray curls freshly dyed and her cheeks suspiciously flushed. "Well, Ava, have you come for an Italian treat?"
Ava rolled her eyes. That could only mean one thing: Giovanni's nephew was visiting again and helping behind the counter. "I just wanted to get lunch for Helen and me. Are there any gnocchi left?"
"Who needs gnocchi when you can look at Francesco?"
She did! So she pushed past Agnes, who was looking back at the counter where Francesco was giving change to a customer and winking at her.
"What a man."
Smiling, she waved goodbye to Agnes and pushed her way to the counter. Giovanni came out of thekitchen, drying his hands on a dish towel. "Ciao, Ava." He called out louder to Francesco: "Two portions of gnocchi for Ava and Helen."
Ava stood on her tiptoes to peek over his shoulder into the kitchen. "Are there any left?"
Francesco winked at her. No doubt about it—with his short black hair, dark eyes, and thick eyelashes, he was the very epitome of handsome. "I kept two portions in reserve. I know you're on sandwich duty today."
She didn't need to ask how he knew that. The town was tiny, the residents talkative, and she and Helen had established routines. Even someone who only visited every few weeks would pick up on that.
"Great, thanks."
Grinning, he leaned on the counter with his forearms. "I've been back since yesterday."
"I hadn't noticed." Any more than the rest of the town.
He leaned towards her. "If you want, I'll stay longer this time. How about it? Shall we go out together tonight?"
"Do I get my lunch for free then?"
He tilted his head, an amused twinkle in his dark eyes. "Why do I get the impression you're not taking my flirting attempts seriously?"
She smiled. "I'm not available, you know that."
"Why not? You're single, I'm the only man your age within a hundred kilometers, and we get along well."
"My heart belongs solely to my aunt and her shop." She held out the money for lunch, which he took, shaking his head. Before he could reply, Giovanni came back from the kitchen and placed the two portions of gnocchi with sage butter on the counter.
"To win a woman like Ava, you have to get to herthrough her passions." He patted his nephew on the shoulder and turned to Ava with a slight bow. "Two portions of gnocchi for you. With an extra helping of olive oil, of course."
