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CHAPTER 11
Going to the farmer’smarket had been the perfect decision. Avery couldn’t remember the last time she’d had that much fun.
“Laz, thanks for letting me go to the market,” she called as she unlocked the door, pushing it open and pocketing her keys. “Best news is I sold almost two boxes of spoons.”
Only silence greeted her. Avery frowned and peered around the store uncertainly. The farmer’s market had closed at one o’clock, and she’d packed up and driven back to the store as quickly as possible. It was barely one forty-five now. Where was Laz?
“Laz?” Avery crossed the store and peered into the stock room. It was dark, and when she flipped the light switch, nothing but the normal hodgepodge of boxes, files, and cleaning supplies met her eyes.
As Avery returned to the front of the store, she suddenly noticed a scrap of paper on the counter.
Miss Avery, I’m leaving for lunch. Be back around 2:30.
Avery gave a sigh of relief. “Laz is okay,” she reported to Mercy. “He just went to lunch.”
With no customers, it seemed like a prime opportunity to check inventory and complete some order forms. Laz had no patience for such chores and was always more than happy to hand those details over to Avery. She had been in the back room for almost half an hour and was engrossed in the task when the bells above the door jangled sharply.
Laz, back from lunch already? Avery glanced at her watch. Only ten after two. He was early. The normalcy of the moment was shattered by a string of explosive barks from Mercy.
“Mercy!” Avery hurried to the outer room and felt her soul turn to ice.
Brian Felding, blond hair combed immaculately to one side, arms folded and eyes narrowed, was standing in the shop.
Avery’s heart gave a mighty upheaval in her chest. No. Was this a dream? Some kind of crazy joke? Brian was in New York.
Mercy growled and bounced toward him on stiff legs, the fur along her spine bristling protectively.
“Whoa, hang on!” Brian held out his hands as if to ward her off and glared at Avery. “Get this brute away from me!”
Typical Brian. Avery could feel her hands beginning to tremble. “Mercy, come here.” She hurried forward and grabbed the dog’s collar. Mercy never displayed aggression toward anyone, but Avery could hardly blame her for her reaction this time.
Now for Brian. “Get out of this store.” Avery struggled to maintain control of her voice. Every demon she thought she’d outrun seemed to have billowed in behind Brian, chattering and mocking her.
Brian straightened his jacket, seeming to regain his confidence now that Mercy was restrained. “Well, hello, Avery.” He sneered at her. “You have quite the bodyguard there.”
Avery’s ears were humming gently. She swallowed hard and gulped another breath of precious oxygen. Somehow it seemed terribly wrong that Brian was in Estes Park, that he had invaded her private sanctuary. “I asked you to get out of the store.” She would not let this bully see how frightened she was, would not let him know that a sickening dread was wrapping its tentacles around her heart.
“Heard.” Brian casually leaned against the door, arms folded, legs crossed at the ankle. “Come on, Avery.” He flashed her his most charming smile. “Aren’t you a little glad to see an old friend?”
“We are not friends and you know it.”
The charming smile now looked a little forced. Brian opened his arms to the sides, tipping his head. “Hey, now. No need to get testy.”
Mercy snarled and lunged forward again, almost pulling Avery down with her. “Mercy!” The last thing she needed was for Brian to report her dog as a vicious animal. She released Mercy’s collar and pointed to the storage room. Hopefully the dog would obey. “Get in the back room.” To her relief, Mercy slunk into the storage room obediently, although reluctantly.
As Avery closed the door on the dog and faced Brian again, something that was still alive at the back of her frozen mind began praying hard.El Shaddai...the Strong One...Avery’s gaze darted over Brian’s powerful frame, shuddered at the smoldering hatred in his eyes. She suddenly felt lightheaded with panic. Sucking in a breath, she winced as her heart bounded painfully within her chest.I need Brian away from me, Lord...She felt so powerless—alone in a tiny store, far from town, without cell service. If Brian became violent...
Do not fear, My daughter. You have authority.
Were the words truly from El Shaddai? Or was it just a useless grapple for control on the part of her mind? Avery wasn’t sure, but suddenly she felt calm again. Air filled her lungs, and her mind stopped whirling. She walked toward Brian with firm, even steps. She could do this.
“Brian,” she began in a steady tone, “I want you out of my store. But if you have any good reason for being here, state it quickly and leave, or I am calling the police.” He didn’t have to know that she had no cell service.
Brian gave an exasperated sigh. “Okay, okay.” He raised his hands in mock defeat. “I need to know—” his eyes narrowed at her, gauging her reaction—“where Addisyn is.”
Where Addisyn is?Avery felt a wave of heat crash over her face. The pain made her eyes smart. He couldn’t have possibly said anything that would have shocked and distressed her more.
Yet hadn’t she expected this? Hadn’t she known something was wrong—last night?
