Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking? by Belle Payton Page B

do.”
    â€œI guess.” Ava noticed a stone path behind the restaurant. They walked along it. Park benches lined the path. The path led to a large concrete plaza with a covered bandstand at one end.
    â€œWhat’s this place?” Ava asked.
    â€œMaybe they have concerts here?” Alex guessed. “What am I going to tell Emily? And Charlotte? I let them call us psychic. They’re going to think I made it all up.”
    Ava didn’t answer. A shadow had caught her attention.
    She inched her way along the side of the bandstand. Slowly, quietly. She crouched down, extended her palms, and called softly. “Here, boy!”
    In an instant Harvey was sniffing her hands. Ava petted his curly black fur.
    â€œHe was looking for barbecue! You’re a great detective, Ava!” Alex cried.
    Ava grinned. “I don’t think he was looking for barbecue. I think he was looking for concrete.”
    â€œConcrete?” Alex repeated.
    Ava pointed to a puddle on the ground. “I think this feels more like home. Harvey’s not used to grass.”
    â€œGross!” Alex cried.
    â€œLet’s get you to Charlotte and Ben,” Ava said, grabbing Harvey’s collar.
    â€œHey! Hey!” An older man in a sauce-stained white apron waved to them as they walked back through the parking lot. “Good! I see you found your dog. Are you two the Sackett twins?”
    Ava nodded uncertainly. How did he know them?
    â€œI’m Jay Grasing, owner of this place here.” He beamed at them, his gray-blue eyes bright. “Please tell your dad that that was one amazing game today. I played for the Tigers back in the day. His use of the defense was inspired. You girls must be very happy with the big win.”
    â€œVery happy,” Ava agreed. It was still so weird when strangers recognized them just because of their dad.
    â€œWait right there. I’m going to bring you a big bag of barbecue. On the house.” He reached out and patted Harvey’s head. “And a bit of brisket for your pooch, too.”
    â€œHear that, Harvey? You’re going to get some barbecue, after all,” Ava said.

    â€œSo what are you going to tell them?” Alex asked Ava as they walked toward Charlotte’s house.
    â€œAbout finding Harvey? I’ll tell them whatever you want me to tell them,” Ava offered.
    â€œI don’t want to lie,” Alex said.
    â€œThen don’t.” Ava held the foil-lined bag of meat in one hand. In the other hand, she grasped a long piece of twine Jay Grasing had fashioned into a leash for Harvey.
    â€œBut I like how everyone thinks we’re so special,” Alex said.
    â€œLots of people in Ashland seem to think we’re pretty special, and they don’t even know what the Power is,” Ava pointed out. “Look, we got free food.”
    â€œThat’s different,” Alex scoffed, as they rounded Charlotte’s wide lawn.
    Alex couldn’t put words to her disappointment. She had truly thought she and Ava had a connection, more than just being twins. She wasn’t ready to give up on it, even though it hadn’t been any psychic power that helped them find the missing bracelet or the missing dog.
    â€œHarvey!” Charlotte shrieked. She flung her arms around her dog. Everyone crowded around. Rosa, despite her earlier promise, filmed the homecoming on her phone.
    â€œYou did it. You really did it!” Emily exclaimed over and over. She raised Alex’s arm triumphantly. All her friends gave her admiring and incredulous looks.
    Except Ava. Ava raised her eyebrows, questioning Alex.
    Alex knew her sister wouldn’t rat her out. But she also knew that Ava trusted her to fess up.
    She wanted to tell them. But the words caught in her dry throat.
    â€œYou two are the absolute best!” Charlotte wrapped one arm around each twin’s shoulder.
    Lindsey shook her head in disgust.
    â€œWait.” Charlotte