The Town Laughed at Her Empty Market Stall. One Lonely Cowboy Bought Everything
Chapter 3
The next morning, Anna arrived at the market before sunrise.
She carried three baskets.
One contained eggs.
One contained potatoes.
The last held six small loaves of bread.
It was not much.
But it was everything she had.
She arranged the goods carefully.
By the time the first merchants arrived, her stall was no longer empty.
The market master approached.
“Where did you get these?”
“My farm.”
He laughed.
“That’s all?”
“That’s all.”
“Then don’t expect much.”
Anna ignored him.
The first customer came at dawn.
An old woman bought two loaves.
Then a blacksmith bought potatoes.
Then a farmer bought eggs.
By midmorning, everything was gone.
Anna stared at the empty table.
But this time, she smiled.
Then Thomas appeared.
He placed his hat on the table.
“You’re sold out.”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
“You bought everything yesterday.”
“I did.”
“You didn’t need it.”
“I needed to make a point.”
Anna smiled.
“That was expensive.”
“Perhaps.”
She handed him a basket.
“For your trouble.”
“What is it?”
“Eggs.”
“I bought your eggs yesterday.”
“These are today’s.”
He looked at her.
Then accepted the basket.
“Thank you.”
It was the first time Anna had seen him smile.
Only slightly.
But enough.
