Chapter 9

He’s so focused on the birds on the other side of the window that it takes him a moment to realize someone has sat down on the stool next to his. He glances over, then does a double-take when he sees a little, tow-headed girl in ponytails smiling over at him. When she sees him looking, she leans forward and asks, “What ‘cha drawing?”

“Those birds out there.” Brody nods towards the window without breaking the rhythm of the pencil across the paper.

The girl leans closer, both hands on the counter now so she can prop herself up to see his pad. “Wow, that’s good. They look like real birds!”

With a grin, Brody says, “I should hope so.” A quick glance around shows no one watching them—no one seems at all interested that this little girl has appeared beside him out of nowhere. “Where’s your mommy?”

The girl shrugs and settles her elbows on the counter, her chin propped in her little chubby hands. “At home, I guess. I’m going to the movies soon.”