According to Arezoo's internet research, many former Iranians were living in the city, and the number of Persian markets proved it, so it was entirely possible that the guy was not on any official business.
She could text Max and ask him what they'd found out so far, but she didn't want to interrupt what he was doing.
"Eat," Yasmin commanded her sisters with maternal authority. "Everything looks worse on an empty stomach."
Fenella paused with the half-eaten sandwich in her hand, noticing that Soraya and Rana were still looking at the offering as if it was going to jump up and bite them.
"You have to try this." She waved with the remaining piece of the sandwich, "It's superb. The bread is so fresh and tasty. I think they bake it in-house."
"We do," Ruth said from behind the register. "Every morning. Wait until you taste our pastries. I'll bring them out when you are done with the sandwiches."
With what looked like a monumental effort, Soraya lifted a pastrami sandwich to her mouth and took a bite. Her eyes widened. "It's incredible." She turned to Rana. "You have to try it."
Letting out a breath, Rana did as her sister commanded and took a bite, and then another, each one seeming like she had to force herself to chew.
It made Fenella think about fear and freedom and about the cages people built for themselves and the ones others tried to force them into. The sisters had escaped a restrictive society and even physical captivity, only to imprison themselves in fear.
"After we're done eating, we're hitting another Persian market," she announced and then turned to Jackson. "Do you have time to take us?"
He shook his head. "Not today, but I'll try to clear some time later this week."
"I don't know about that," Soraya said. "We can find another solution. Ordering our supplies online shouldn't be all that difficult, correct?" She looked at Jackson as if he held the secret to their salvation. "Maybe we can pay a clan member to deliver them to the village. You probably don't go shopping for the things your bakeries need yourself, right? You get them delivered."
He nodded. "I can set up accounts with my wholesalers for you, and I can ask around if anyone is willing to drive a delivery van to the village.”
"Don't do this." Fenella swept her gaze over Kyra's sisters. "Don't let fear rule you. It's not like it's going to happen again, and if it does, we will discover more undercover plots to damage this beacon of freedom for the world." She smiled at the sisters. "You said that you were all rebels. Prove it."
Parisa nodded. "The store means freedom, independence, a new life. We need to be a lot braver if we want to embrace all of what we can have here."
"You fight by not giving up," Fenella said. "By not giving in, by going back out there and buying your damn refrigerators and stocking your shelves and building your dream."
