Soulsearch (Teen Paranormal Romance Series) (The Soulmate Series: Teen Paranormal Romance Book 2) by Kellie McAllen Page A

lock your doors, okay?”
    Jessica laughed.   “You think they were scoping out my house for a robbery?   Well, I’m sure they know now that I don’t have anything to steal.   They were just innocent kids, Michael, nothing to worry about.   If their goal was reconnaissance I think they would have asked different questions.”
    “I’m sure you’re right,” Michael agreed.   “Since you let them in, do you think I might still be welcome?”
    “You’re always welcome, Michael, no matter how long you stay away.”

chapter six

    Rider drove aimlessly through the streets of Allendale, his mind churning over the disappointing visit with Jessica Reynolds.   If she was his biological mother, she would be no help to him in solving the mystery of his unusual existence.   Her reactions held surprise but no suspicion and her answers seemed too sincere to be lies.   His theory was so tenuous he didn’t know if it was even worth pursuing any further.   The girls could sense his frustration.
    “There’s still Pasquetti, Rider,” Paige offered weakly.   “I think I saw him working at Sundae’s one time.   Maybe he’s there?”
    “I could go for some ice cream,” Rachel replied encouragingly.   Rider looked back and forth between the girls, their cute faces turned up in expectation.   He lifted his lips in a smirk.
    “They better have Sriracha Swirl; I’ve always wanted to order that and somebody was too chicken to try it,” Rider declared and turned the wheel in the direction of Allendale’s favorite ice cream shop.
    Unlike a lot of the other ice cream shops around Michigan, Sundae’s was open all year ‘round.   The owner, Marco Pasquetti, had the forethought to open his ice creamery inside the Allendale mall where the temperature was always perfect for enjoying ice cream, even when the outdoor temps dropped low enough to turn ice cream, and ice cream eaters, into blocks of ice.
    After years of living with a teenage girl, Rider knew exactly how to get to the mall.   In a few short minutes he pulled into the mall parking lot and found a spot under the sign that said, “Sundae’s Scoops ’n Shakes” in hot pink neon.   The trio exited the vehicle and made their way through the maze of brightly painted tables set up outside the door to Sundae’s.   The matching umbrellas were still wrapped up for the winter, but it wouldn’t be long before the milder temperatures of May tempted ice cream eaters to enjoy their scoops outside.   For now, only the tables inside were filled with happy customers, licking and crunching their ways through cones piled high with Mr. Pasquetti’s unique variety of flavors.
    “There he is!” Paige whisper-shouted as soon as they walked in the door.   She quickly covered her mouth with her hands as Rachel, Rider, and several of the surrounding customers swiveled their heads to look at her.   “Behind the counter, sweeping the floor,” she muttered behind her hands.   Rachel and Rider turned their eyes towards the teenage boy holding a broom.   The muscles on his arms popped out of the snug shirt he was wearing, a neon green tee featuring a dripping ice cream cone and the word “Sundae’s” on the front.   Anyone else would’ve looked atrocious in that color, but somehow Zach Pasquetti pulled it off.   His dark red hair had been perfectly tamed, the natural curl only noticeable at the very tips.   His pale skin and freckles made him look Irish and Rider wondered how he had inherited an Italian last name.
    “Whoa, nice muscles,” Rachel quipped, admiring the way his arms flexed as he swiped the broom across the floor.   Rider’s pinched lips and squinty eyes made it clear he didn’t appreciate Rachel’s opinion.   “What?   Can’t a girl enjoy a nice piece of art?”   An elbow to her ribs gave her his answer.
    The trio approached the counter and bent their heads over the glass to examine the day’s flavor offerings.   Mr. Pasquetti made his own