body.â
âYet here you are.â
She ran her hands across the counter. âI used to spend summers with my aunt Magda here, and help in the shop. She was so different from the rest of my family that it was like visiting another planet.â
âHow so?â
âShe consulted her tarot cards about everything. I mean, everything. She shopped at thrift stores, which meant she had the oddest wardrobe ever. And whenever I thought she was just weird, sheâd look at me and tell me exactly what I was thinking.â
âBecause she could read your thoughts.â
Sara shook her head. âNo. She was just a good judge of character.â
âArenât they two sides of the same coin?â
She was startled by that idea. âThat sounds like something my mother would have said. Magda was actually my maternal grandmotherâs sister.â
âIs it true that psychic abilities are often inherited, on the female side?â
Sara smiled. âIâve heard that before, too. My mother used to read tea leaves, actually. She said it helped her make new friends when we moved, and we moved a lot.â
âWas she ever right?â
âYes. Usually.â Sara blinked and hesitated. âShe said she was just a good judge of character.â
Quinn laughed.
âIt doesnât matter,â Sara protested, that smile playing with her lips. âIâm the practical one. Iâm the one who adds it all up at the end of the day. Thatâs what I do. I donât know why Iâm even giving this nonsense any credence. Itâs crazy.â
Quinn could sense that he was losing her again.
He could only think of one way to show her that thisâand heâwas real.
Sara inhaled sharply. âI should call Maloneâs about that air conditioner,â she said quickly. âItâs really hot in here.â
âItâs not the air conditioner, Sara. Itâs the firestorm.â Quinn knew immediately that heâd said too much.
âNo,â she said with a firm shake of her head. âNo. This is nuts. There is no firestorm. There is no prophecy and if there is, itâs about somebody other than me. Iâve got an inventory to reconcile and a bookstore to run and youâve got an art show to do.â She lifted her chin and glared at him with defiance that only made him want to protect her.
The scarf around her neck and the bruise it hid were all too potent a reminder of the price heâd pay if he failed.
Heâd paid it before, thanks to Erik Sorensson. The situation took on more urgency for him.
âYou have to come with me,â Quinn said with resolve.
âExcuse me?â
âWe have to stay together. It will be safer for you.â
Sara lifted one brow, her tone making her skepticism clear. âBecause youâre the Smith and Iâm the Seer?â
âYou donât have to believe it, Sara, to recognize that someone tried to kill you last night.â
She swallowed and looked down. âIt could have been an attempted mugging.â
âDid he take your purse?â
She swallowed and frowned. âI wonât stay late, if that makes you feel better.â
âThe only thing that will make me feel better is if you come with me, right now.â Quinn leaned forward for emphasis when her lips set. âItâs not safe for you to be alone, not now that they know where you are.â
âI thought your door knocker was your sentinel.â
âI didnât get here fast enough.â Quinn disliked the reminder but he wouldnât shirk the truth. âAnything could have happened to you in that time. If Erik had intended to hurt you, it would have been over by the time I got here.â He knew his voice was rising and he didnât care. âThatâs not good enough.â
Sara folded her arms across her chest and leaned back. âI thought you could sense when Iâm in trouble? Like
Jan (ILT) J. C.; Gerardi Greenburg