Tatted Cowboy Read Free Page B

continue on with their own small talk, leaving Ava and I to catch up.
    She fills me in on what has been happening over the years and we make plans to catch up the following Friday night. 
    Our food arrives and Ava pushes her chair back.  “I better leave you guys to eat.  It was good to see you, girls,” she says, smiling at Gran and Maude.
    “See you, Ava.  It was good to see you again, love.  And congratulations on the wedding.  You’ll have to stop by sometime.  Join us for a game of bingo,” Gran offers.
    “Absolutely.  I’d love to steal a few prizes right from under Josie’s nose,” Ava replies and we all laugh.
    Pulling out her mobile phone, she asks for my number.  I give it to her and she texts me quickly so I can save her number.
    “Okay,” she says, standing.  “I’ll give you a call in the next few days to let you know the details of our catch up.”
    “Sounds great.” I round the table and give her another hug before she leaves.
    “Eat up, love. The food here is delicious.”  Gran nods towards my food before bringing her own sandwich to her mouth.
    “Did you know Ava’s mother owns this place?” Maude asks.
    I shake my head and take a bite of my burger.  I almost moan when the delicious flavour bursts through my mouth.
    So good.

CHAPTER THREE
     
    “I love being back here,” I sigh.
    “I wish you lot never had to leave, but I understood why.  That drought was terrible and didn’t break for years,” Gran replies as she walks along beside me.
    It is the following Thursday after our game of Bingo and we are taking an afternoon stroll around the streets.  The sun is slowly going down in the distance but I know we have a couple more hours of daylight, at least.
    Gran and I continue to walk in silence, except for the occasional comment amount someone’s garden or the like. 
    As we approach a small, semi-rundown building I come to halt and stare.  It’s gorgeous.  Absolutely stunning.  Two large windows frame the glass front door, so I stick my hand up against one of them and move in closer to have a look.  It’s bare inside.  Dust is covering every surface and it needs a new paint job, and a broom run over the ceiling to rid the cobwebs, but it’s calling to me on a level I can’t really explain.  I take a step back to look up and around.  A tin roof extends out over the footpath and solid wooden beams hold it in place. 
    “What’s wrong, love?” Gran asks.
    I don’t answer for a minute.  Instead, I let my mind wander.
    “Earth to Laura.” Gran snaps her fingers in front of my face.
    “Sorry, Gran.  What did you say?”
    “I asked what is wrong.  You’re staring off into space with a goofy grin on your face.”
    “Oh,” I duck my head as I feel my cheeks heat.  “What’s the story on this shop front?” I finally ask.
    “Well…” She pauses to look around and think.  “It’s been vacant since the Baker family closed down.  They attempted to open a hardware store, even though there’s already one in town.  Competition isn’t good in a small town.”  She shakes her head disapprovingly.  “Anyhow, I believe it’s for sale.” She shrugs.  “Why?”
    “I don’t know,” I murmur, suddenly feeling shy about my daydream.
    She gives me a look that clearly says, talk .  So, I suck in a breath of courage and speak aloud my dreams.
    “I can’t explain it, Gran, but I feel like I need to have this shop.  I can see it all so clearly… It’s got this hold over me and I feel like if I keep on walking and don’t pursue this dream then I’ll be missing out for the rest of my life,” I gush.
    “Say you do buy it, what are you going to do with it?  And you better not say a hardware store,” she chides before I can answer.
    I let out a sharp burst of laughter at the serious look on her face before reassuring her.  “No, Gran, I will most certainly not be opening a hardware store.  I was thinking I could open a beauty salon…I could