Page 50 of Until the Sea Runs Dry

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Jane drove around aimlessly, taking in the sights and sounds, as she attempted to familiarize herself with the city when the friendly sight ofThe Grove caught her attention.

The retail complex housed many stores as well as a thriving farmer’s market that seemed appealing — and far more approachable than Rodeo Drive had been.

“Loki, we have a winner.”

He pulled at his restraints and whined, but the wagging tail revealed there wasn’t any hard feelings about his current predicament.

“I know we’ve been driving a lot, but we’re almost there.”

She found a space near the market and parked. With Loki’s leash wrapped firmly around her hand, and the money Logan had given in the pocket of the linen pants she had decided to wear today, they headed for the farmer’s market.

Despite being the middle of the day, the place was alive with people milling around, trying the different foods that were available. A white clock tower stood off to one-side revealed it was a little after twelve-thirty.

Loki pranced by her feet, overflowing with excitement. His pink nose pointed in every direction, overwhelmed by the smells on display.

She caught a snatch of something delicious that made her mouth water. Her feet headed in the direction of a busy stall serving freshly fried donuts dipped in cinnamon sugar. The stall owner, a pretty Black girl with glowing skin, smiled at them.

“Your dog is so cute.”

As if he understood the sentiment, Loki danced on his paws before sitting down, tilting his head up at the girl. His tongue was hanging out so much that it was amazing it was still attached to him. Whining loudly, he scooted forward.

“Thanks. I think he is working you right now, though.”

She laughed, rubbing her cheek, leaving a streak of sugar on it.

“You want some? They’re really good, even if I say so myself.”

Jane shook her head. “I shouldn’t…” she began automatically, but stopped. It wasn’t as if she had an issue with weight — far from it.

“One or two isn’t going to kill anyone. Besides, what’s the point of living if you can’t treat yourself now and again?”

“I’ve already eaten two muffins today,” Jane answered, slightly ashamed.

“When was that?”

“For breakfast.”

“Well, it’s lunchtime now, so…”

“You do speak a lot of sense,” Jane answered, caving rapidly. “I’ll take one.”

“You won’t regret it,” the girl beamed back, handing her a still-warm donut wrapped in a napkin. Paying, Jane thanked her and started toward another stall. Having smelled the heavenly thing in her hand, Loki began doing figure-eights around her legs. Within moments, he had twisted the leash all around her feet so that any more movement would have been at her peril.

She detangled herself and fed him a piece of donut. He practically swooned with delight. She was reasonably sure that, though not the healthiest of food she could give him, donuts were safe enough.

She ate the donut faster than was reasonably polite to do so. Dusting the sugar from her fingers, she headed toward a stall that specialized in mushrooms. Button, Porcini and Chanterelle mushrooms spilled out of wicker baskets. Beside them were their lesser-known cousins, the alien-looking Enoki, Shiitake, and Morel.

Able to identify them by sight, she squirreled the knowledge into the mental file she was building for herself.

Knows various edible mushrooms… check.

She perused the food stalls for fun, though refrained from purchasing anything else.

A bell peeled close by, causing Loki to bark. Jane spotted a bright and cheerful two-decker trolley approaching, driven by a smiling, uniformed driver.

The trolley was built from a 1950s Boston street car, a nearby sign revealed. Powered electrically, it took visitors on a ride throughout the mall. When the trolley stopped right by her, Jane got on.

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