Deep in her own thoughts, Michelle didn't even take notice when the old tavern lady came down and went behind the counter to prepare to open the tavern for guests once again.
But since Michelle was clearly out of it, the tavern lady made sure to be quiet so as not to disturb her.
Michelle only snapped back to reality when she felt a complex gaze on her. It didn't belong to anyone she had ever met, making her raise a brow. Whose attention did she gain this time?
Turning her attention outside the window, her gaze fell into the tavern's back courtyard.
A stone table with five stone stools stood in the middle, and three tall poplar trees gave shade to it. By the walls of the courtyard were more poplar trees.
The gaze Michelle felt on her was from one of the three trees near the table. So she lifted her gaze and looked through the silky, cotton-like, white flowers in the tree crown.
