Page 43 of When the Ice Melts

Cheerfully she handed a young woman her shopping bag and waved goodbye, then turned to answer a question from a couple examining her wares. Mentally Brian compared her with the image of Avery he held in his mind—a serious, fiercely loyal woman with an eerie ability to see straight through him. He grimaced. He had always hated that creepy sixth sense of hers, and he didn’t relish confronting her again, especially after their last nasty scene. For a crazy moment he wondered if he should shelve the whole idea.

But without Avery, he might never find Addisyn.

“You have a good day!” The voice was straight from his memories—a zap of reality. The couple called pleasantries back, but Brian couldn’t drag his eyes from the girl’s face. That was definitely Avery—her voice, albeit much warmer and friendlier than he’d ever heard it to be.

Yes!He could barely suppress a victorious grin. He’d found her.

What now? Perhaps the obvious response would be to walk up and make his presence known, but the thought was less than appealing. For a moment the truth laughed in his face—Brian, the man who could fast-talk his way out of any situation and stare down any foe, was scared of Avery.

And what those clear hazel eyes of hers could see.

In the next instant a tidal wave of anger swept his soul. Of course he wasn’t scared of her! It just—it just wasn’t a good time. Who knew what kind of reaction he’d get? The opinion of the good townsfolk didn’t trouble him, but he didn’t exactly want a public brouhaha either.

As he turned his gaze back toward her booth, he noticed the wording on the front of it for the first time. LIVE BIGGER OUTDOOR SUPPLY.

“Can I help you, sir?” The farmer’s polite tone held a hint of uncertainty, and Brian suddenly realized he’d been standing in front of the same display of cheese for several minutes.

“Uh...no. Thanks anyway.” He gave a sheepish chuckle and backed out of the booth. Then thought of something. “Actually, what time is the farmer’s market over today?”

“One o’clock.” The man seemed to study him. Probably trying to figure out what planet he’d come from.

One o’clock. Perfect. Brian cast one last glance over his shoulder at Avery, then turned and strode purposefully out of the park.

Never mind the strange feeling of intimidation that had come over him back there. This was best anyway—this plan that was beginning to develop. And wasn’t that great luck, stumbling upon her so easily? Had he been a religious freak like Avery, he might have even considered it a sign from above.

A sign that, as always, Brian Felding would come out on top.