Free Unbridled Pursuit (Novak Springs Book 2) by Dawn Brower Page B

and hooked the garment bag to the door.
    “Are you ready to get some lunch?” Vitoria asked.
    “Yes, I’m starving. I know just the place to go. It is a short walk from here.”
    “Really? I like the idea of walking. What kind of place is this?”
    “It’s a little café I discovered when I was here before. I’ve been dying to try it but have always been in a hurry to get home.”
    “Well, lead the way.” Vitoria motioned to the door.
    Ginnifer nodded and walked out the door of the bridal shop. The sun was high in the sky and warmed Vitoria’s face. She turned toward it with her eyes closed and basked into the heat as it skirted across her cheeks.
    With a sigh of contentment, she opened her eyes to see a familiar face a few feet away entering a taxi. Her caramel hair was sheared to the base of her chin in a bob. A crimson streak ran through her hair and framed her face on both sides. A look Vitoria never would have guessed her sister would willingly wear.
    “Vivian!” she called out.
    Her sister turned her head and saw her. A look of fear crossed her features. She turned away and entered the taxi. The car sped away from the curb.
    “Did you see that?” she asked Ginnifer.
    “I did. I’m not surprised. You know how your sister is. Got to say that is a different look on her though. Almost didn’t recognize her until you called her name.”
    “She seemed afraid. I don’t understand.”
    “You haven’t talked to her in a while, it’s hard to say what is going on with her now,” Ginnifer replied.
    “Viv has never been the type to scare easily. I’m worried.”
    “Well she knows you’re here. Maybe she will reach out to you. Not much else you can do,” Ginnifer reassured her.
    “I suppose. Let’s go get some lunch.”
    They continued on to the restaurant. Vitoria’s thoughts were never far away from her sister and her odd behavior as she entered the taxi. No matter what Ginny said, she knew something was off. She intended to find out what was going on with her estranged sister.

Chapter Ten
    The restaurant, a French bistro situated on the corner, was both quaint and quintessential. A few tables were sitting outside adorned by matching umbrellas and two white wicker chairs. Petite black decorative fencing surrounded the seating area. They entered the establishment, went to where the hostess stood, and waited for her to acknowledge them. Her obsidian hair was cut in a cute pixie style—and for once Tori noticed, someone who was actually shorter than she was. She couldn’t have been more than five feet tall. She wore a uniform of a black pencil skirt that hit her knees, a white peasant blouse, and black ballet-style flats. Something seemed very familiar about her, but Tori couldn’t figure out what it was. Oh well, it would come to her when she least expected it.
    “Good afternoon,” she greeted them. “Do you want to sit inside or outside?”
    “Which do you prefer, Ginny?”
    “It’s really nice outside.” She tilted her head pondering the idea. “I’d like to have lunch out there.”
    “That’s fine with me,” Vitoria replied. She turned to the waitress. “We’ll take a table outside.”
    “Very well, if you’ll follow me, I will show you to your table.”
    She led them back out the front door of the restaurant and showed them to a table situated at the side corner, near the black fence. They each sat in one of the white wicker chairs.
    “A waitress will be with you in a few minutes to take your order. Can I get you something to drink while you wait?”
    Tori glanced up. “I want a sparkling water with lemon.”
    “Oh that sounds good.” Ginnifer nodded her head. “I’ll have the same.”
    Vitoria watched the hostess walk away. The niggling feeling she somehow knew her still sat firmly in her mind. Maybe she would place her before they left. In the meantime, she had to decide what to eat.
    “What looks good to you?” Ginnifer asked.
    Vitoria looked down at the menu. “I’m