The Game Changer by Landry Marie

Author:Landry, Marie [Landry, Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2012-11-08T23:00:00+00:00

*****

They had been in the bookstore for half an hour, and Ava had said all of five words to Melody. Literally—Melody counted. She asked her niece questions and tried to engage her in conversation, but all she got were yes or no answers, nods and shakes of the head, or noncommittal noises.

Melody was becoming frustrated. She had no idea what she was doing wrong. She didn’t think she was trying too hard—she didn’t ask Ava difficult, pressing questions, but rather simple things about school, new friends, and books. Still, nothing would draw the girl out of her shell or make her engage with Melody the way she had with Olivia.

Melody wandered after Ava, following her down aisle after aisle and stopping to look at books when Ava did. Not wanting to seem like an overprotective guardian, Melody tried not to stand too close or make it seem like she was trailing after Ava, even though that’s exactly what she was doing. She didn’t want to let her out of her sight.

Ava had already picked three books—thin paperbacks from the young adult section—and was now in the history row studying a thick hardcover book on medieval history. Melody peered at the book and noticed the beautiful, glossy pictures of women in fine dresses and cloaks, and dashing men on horseback riding into battle. She smiled slightly to herself; that was exactly the type of book she herself would be interested in, but she didn’t tell Ava for fear she would decide she was no longer interested.

Ava sighed and slid the book back into its place on the shelf.

“Something wrong?” Melody asked.

Ava blinked in surprise as if she’d forgotten Melody was there. “No,” she replied, but Melody thought she looked sad. “I just really liked that book, but I can’t afford it.”

“I’d happily get it for you,” Melody offered, silently cursing herself for sounding so eager.

Ava shook her head, and her shiny chestnut-coloured hair fell forward like a curtain, partially hiding her face. “That’s okay. I think I’ll go back to the kid’s section and have another look.”

Melody sighed. “Okay. I’m just going to the reading area,” she called to Ava’s retreating back. She wound her way through the stacks to the small sitting area near the back of the store. Two overstuffed couches faced each other and were flanked on either side by matching armchairs. A large mahogany table sat in the middle, and there was an old-fashioned brick fireplace to one side; it was unlit now, but during the winter it was almost always going.

Melody plunked down on one of the couches where she could see the top of Ava’s head across the room. She felt like she was being punished for Jackie’s mistakes. Like she was guilty by association for all the horrible things Jackie had done, and the neglect she’d inflicted on Ava.

Melody knew it would take time for Ava to warm up to her, and she could accept that, but she hadn’t expected the indifferent vibe she was getting from the girl.

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