Page 33 of Frosted and Sliced

Brody took a deep breath and actually seemed to be thinking about it. “No,” he said on a sharp exhale.

“Does the word maple mean anything to you?”

Brody spread his hands wide. “It’s Maine. We’re the third largest maple syrup producer in the country. Practically everyone you meet has a tap.”

Georgie blinked at him, thinking. “But only one person has a large and profitable maple business.”

Brody looked at her. “Georgie, no.”

“Who?” Burke asked.

“Jenna Archer,” Georgie replied.

Burke’s brows rose. The same Jenna Archer who made Georgie feel so unwelcome at the town hall meeting? She gave a little nod,yes,the same Jenna Archer.

“Interesting,” Burke said, sitting back.

“What is interesting about that? Tons of people dabble in maple around here, and the fact that Jenna does doesn’t mean anything. You’re being biased because you don’t like her.” He pointed at Georgie who studied him with a quizzical expression, head tipped.

“Why did you two break up in high school?” she asked.

Brody dropped his eyes to his desk. He became uncomfortable whenever the topic turned personal or toward feelings. “We were young and stupid. Kids break up, it happens.”

“But she desperately wanted you, practically salivated at the thought of a post-school engagement. You seemed really into her, in the beginning. So what happened?”

“She was mean,” he blurted. “Okay? You were right about her, I couldn’t stand the way she treated people, and I couldn’t picture bringing her into your life on a permanent basis, let alone any future children.” He shuddered, imagining Jenna Archer as a mom. “I wanted someone kind, soft, and settled.”

Someone like Carol, one of Georgie’s best friends from culinary school. She was everything Brody had just described and then some. “Why didn’t you marry Carol?” Burke’s presencemade her brave and Georgie dared to ask the question she’d never asked before.

Brody’s eyes flashed. “You may remember she dumped me for another man, the man she’s now married to.”

Georgie nodded. “Yes, I know, and I’m sorry. I know that was painful, and I hate it. But you and Carol were together for five years. Why didn’t you ever press for more? She would have moved here, if you’d asked.”

“I didn’t know that. She seemed so into her job.” Brody shook his head, looking distraught, but Georgie wondered. He and Carol had spent approximately five days a year together for all the years they dated. That had to mean something, didn’t it? Georgie thought so, but she couldn’t say what. She thought of Burke’s earlier question,Why didn’t he pursue his dream after you were in culinary school?Brody’s lack of pursuit, both of his dreams and people, seemed connected somehow, but Georgie couldn’t figure out how. Suddenly it seemed like she was seeing her brother anew, and she didn’t like it. He wasn’t the perfect big brother of her dreams, the way she’d always portrayed him to herself. He was flawed, perhaps scared, and she kind of hated it. Because the truth was that even with his flaws he was an amazing brother and a wonderful man and he deserved happiness, both in his career and in his relationships.

He caught sight of Georgie’s expression and frowned harder. “What?” he demanded.

“I just really love you,” she murmured, today’s ready tears springing once again to the surface and lingering in the corners of her eyes without being shed. The sight of them, along with her words, made Brody soften.

“I love you, too, you know that. And I’m worried about you, about this,” he motioned between her and Burke.

“I’m fine. Burke is…” she faced Burke, unable to finish the sentence. What exactly was Burke? Safe? Not exactly. There wastoo much unknown and untamed about him to be considered safe. But still she trusted him, with her life, if necessary. “He’s, you know, he’sThe Burke.”

“Is that even his real name?” Brody demanded.

Burke said nothing in reply or defense except, “If you hear anything unusual, send it my way.”

“Okay,” Brody said, but his tone and face told them he was still baffled and more than a little concerned.

Burke held the door for Georgette as they stepped out into the daylight. “Now what?” she asked.

Burke put on the sunglasses he’d slipped into his pocket. “How do you feel about a field trip?”

Georgette smiled. “Are we going to get some maple syrup?”

“Maple is always a good idea,” Burke agreed.

Georgette tucked her arm through his. “I think you’re fitting into Maine just fine.”

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