Page 19 of Meant to Be
“No.” Sydney turned the painting over and read the $30 price tag.
“It’s real nice there. But don’t go without four-wheel drive, or you’ll be stucker than a fly in molasses.”
Julia snickered. Patrick coughed as if he was drowning out Julia’s ill-mannered chuckle.
Sydney pulled two twenties from her wallet. “I’m sorry I don’t have change.”
“No worries. I’ve got some.” The woman waved away Sydney’s concern and began to reach for her cash box.
“That’s okay.”
At first the woman’s eyes narrowed and Sydney worried she’d hurt her pride. But then the woman smiled. “Well, that’s mighty nice of you.”
“This is a wonderful picture. Worth every penny. Can I leave it here for now and pick it up when I’m ready to leave?”
“Well, of course. I’ll just set it in the corner.”
“Thank you.”
As they walked away, the vender wished them a “blessed day.”
“Is that an NRA booth?” Julia pointed to an exhibit across the path.
Patrick looked to where Julia pointed. “It looks like it.”
“Wow. I want to see.”
Sydney sighed but followed as Julia made her way toward the tent.
“Look, they’re raffling a gun.” Her expression was incredulous. “Is that legal?”
“Must be.” But Patrick sounded surprised too.
“Do you think I could enter and win?” Julia’s enthusiasm concerned Sydney. It was the kind of excitement that often got her in trouble.
“You wouldn’t be the first New Yorker to get a gun from Virginia.”
Sydney stiffened and turned at the sound of the deep, dark voice. Mitch. Duel emotions of grief and anger swirled at the sight of his mesmerizing green eyes. He was dressed casually in jeans and a pale yellow golf shirt that hung loose from the waist. A slight bulge at his hip suggested he was carrying a weapon, making Sydney wonder whether he kept his gun with him even when he wasn’t working. Or maybe he was working.
“Well,hello.” Julia’s gaze blatantly took an appreciative inventory of him. It was another reminder to Sydney of how little she and Mitch knew of each other’s lives. He’d never met her childhood friends.
“Julia, this is Mitch. These are my good friends from New York, Julia and her brother, Patrick.”
Julia jerked back, her demeanor turning less friendly. “Doctor Patrick Andres,” she clarified. Now that she knew who Mitch was, she was going to become snobby. Unfortunately, that would just prove Mitch’s point that they came from different worlds.
Mitch extended his hand. Julia’s shake was limp but, fortunately, Patrick had the good manners to offer a hearty shake and hello.
“What are you doing here?” Sydney winced at the indignation of her tone.
One bronze brow lifted. “It’s the fair.”
“Oh. Right.”
“Are you following her, because that’s stalking. There are stalking laws in Virginia, right?” Julia took a protective stance next to Sydney.
“There are stalking laws. But since I was born and raised here, I don’t think I’m the stalker,” Mitch replied coolly, never taking his gaze off Sydney.
“Hey, there you are.” Lexie trotted up to Mitch, thankfully cutting off whatever Julia was about to say. Lexie looked from Sydney to Mitch, apparently trying to figure out what was going on.
