Chapter 43

“If I hear you asked him to buy you anything,” Gavin warns, standing to tuck the money into his own pocket, “I’m going to be very disappointed in you, young lady.”

“I won’t,” Evie promises, but even to Brody, it sounds half-hearted.

Apparently Gavin thinks the same. “I’m serious. If I hear you begged for anything, I’m not going to take you back down to the water again, got that?”

“I know, I know.” Evie waves both hands in a come on, let’s GO gesture. “Broh-dee. I’m waiting.”

Gavin gives him a grin. “Have fun. Remember, this was your idea.”

“We’ll be back soon,” Brody promises. 33

Evie slips her little hand into Brody’s as they walk down the boardwalk. “You don’t haveto buy me the painting,” she says.

For a moment, Brody isn’t sure what she’s talking about, then he realizes she’s picking up the conversation where she left off back at his booth. “The princess one?”

“With a unicorn,” Evie explains. “It’s a horse with one horn coming out of its forehead. They’re magical.”