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Piper was the something that was underneath the unmoving man. Her foot was slightly askew and she didn’t move at all.

I swallowed.

My plan had clearly worked.

She was crushed.

Job complete.

Chapter Thirty-Four

“Marshmallow - spongy confection made of gelatin and sugar and corn syrup and dusted with powdered sugar.”

Piper

It all happened so fast. One minute I was standing in the Ice Museum admiring the ice daisy and then the next there was this sound and I was being pushed onto the ground and something heavy was coming down on top of me.

I couldn’t see what was happening, but from my position on the floor I heard the commotion and worried yells. It was hard to breathe; the weight pressing in on me was suffocating and I felt panic begin to build within my chest.

I tried to push myself up, but my arms were shaking and I couldn’t. I wiggled my foot, trying to find a place to dig my toes into the floor, to help push me up.

A low groan filled my ears and I stilled. The mass on top of me was a person. Most likely a man. And he sounded hurt.

Dex!“Dex,” I said, my voice muffled and I lifted my head to try to say his name louder.

I heard some crunching ice behind me and then blissfully, the weight was lifted and I could draw in a deep breath.

“Piper, oh my God, are you all right?” Dex said as he grabbed me by the elbow and hauled me to my feet.

I swayed a little, trying to get my bearings.

“Yes, I think so. What happened?”

“You didn’t see?” he asked, studying my face.

I shook my head. “It happened so fast.”

“The chandelier on the ceiling… it fell. The sculptor over there had an accident with his ladder.” His face was a mix of emotions ranging from relief to fear. And maybe something else I couldn’t quite identify. Before I could think more about it, he continued. “That man must’ve fallen on top of you. Probably saved your life.”

I looked down at the man still unconscious on the floor and gasped. I bent beside him and felt for his pulse. It was strong and I let out a relieved breath. I couldn’t take it if anyone else died for me.

“Sir!” I yelled, shaking his shoulder. “Sir, please wake up.”

A few moments later his eyes fluttered open and he looked at me.

I smiled. “There was an accident, but you’re okay,” I told him.

He sat up and put a hand to his head. “Damn chandelier almost crushed us! I pushed you out of the way. Are you hurt?”

“No. I’m fine, thanks to you.”

He grunted. “That’s good.” Then he pushed himself to his feet. He was dressed in a heavy flannel shirt and snow pants with boots. He had a knit hat pulled low over his eyes and thick gloves covering his fingers.

“Oh, please be careful. You might have a concussion.” I reached out to steady his arm.

“I’ve been through worse,” he said, then looked at Dex, who was watching us. “This your boyfriend?”

“Uh, no,” I replied, glancing at Dex. “We’re just friends.”