Read Online BayouBabe99er (BookStrand Publishing Romance) by Mickie Sherwood - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Mickie Sherwood
Tags: Romance
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coming.
“Drake, I can handle him. Don’t worry about it.”
“Why the cold shoulder now, Sharlene?” His voice was gruff. “You weren’t so cold a few minutes ago . ”
“There’s no cold shoulder event going on. We had a momentary lapse of judgment. That’s all that it was.” She talked too much and was unable to stop herself. “What I’d like you to explain is…what nefarious deed is your company up to? Why is the media circus in town?”
He remained silent though noise was all around them.
Her head shook as she figured it out. “This is the beginning of a media blitz to gain sympathy and support, isn’t it? They were good neighbors because they came to the rescue of citizens in need.”
She waited on him to dispute her conclusions. He never did.
“They’ll use my uncle’s dilemma to skew public opinion.” She waited on his response. When none was forthcoming, she also asserted, “You tattled before…before—” Embarrassment colored her features reddish-brown. “I thought you were different.” Sharlene headed toward Clyde’s corner. “Guess I was wrong, traitor.”
Drake found his tongue. “Sharlene?”
Sharlene never stopped walking until she reached the mobile station. “Anything, Mr. Clyde?”
“Sharlene!” It was Drake’s turn to be the center of attention when all eyes swung his way.
Sharlene completely ignored him to concentrate on the crackly noises coming out of the speakers. Her only concern now was her uncle’s welfare. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Chapter Twelve
Twelve miserable hours was how long it had been since her arrival to town. She had twelve long hours to imagine the worst because there was no word on Moot. It turned out he was the only person unaccounted for of all the boats that were out yesterday. The surprise squall blindsided other experts as well.
Sharlene took no consolation in that revelation. In fact, she pretty much kept to herself during the night feigning indifference as Drake went about his company’s business. He contributed to her misery. But he wasn’t solely to blame.
The crowd ballooned as he kept tabs on her from afar. Every now and then, she saw a wistful look in his eyes when he looked at her. Somehow, Sharlene knew he would hang close even if she didn’t want him around. Her disappointment in his betrayal at outing her alias was never more obvious. He was persona non grata as far as she was concerned.
Clyde waded through the throng of fishermen who stood vigil at the front door. “Sha, they leave in a minute. There’s a break in the storm.”
She monitored the men geared up for the weather, surprised at what they were about to go do. Their scruffy, strong jaws were set with determination, giving her a glimmer of hope. They had their own problems. Yet, Moot’s friends and longtime neighbors were ready to take a risk on his behalf.
“I’m going, too.” She pushed unsteadily from her seat. Her eyelids were so heavy that sandy irritation made her vision grainy.
“No, Sha.” He batted down her idea. “You stay here. They best do this alone.”
Sharlene took her place at Clyde’s side. They headed to the door where the group parted to make way for their exit. A murky mist filtered in the air, getting thicker as it rolled toward the water. The drizzle didn’t matter to her. All she visualized was the return of the BayouBabe with Moot at the helm.
The people parade gathered in the gray morning on the dock where the boats and trawlers were moored. The fishermen broke ranks to continue on their way. As well-wishers waited, the deep rattle of motors signaled the fleet’s departure. Boat lights faded into the haze leaving behind the constant hum of straining motors.
Slowly, the crowd dispersed, leaving her alone and shivering in the drizzle. Her ears perked to keep track of the diminishing pulsating sounds. She stared off into space, willing her eyes to focus into the cloudy vapors. They were out of sight no matter how
“Drake, I can handle him. Don’t worry about it.”
“Why the cold shoulder now, Sharlene?” His voice was gruff. “You weren’t so cold a few minutes ago . ”
“There’s no cold shoulder event going on. We had a momentary lapse of judgment. That’s all that it was.” She talked too much and was unable to stop herself. “What I’d like you to explain is…what nefarious deed is your company up to? Why is the media circus in town?”
He remained silent though noise was all around them.
Her head shook as she figured it out. “This is the beginning of a media blitz to gain sympathy and support, isn’t it? They were good neighbors because they came to the rescue of citizens in need.”
She waited on him to dispute her conclusions. He never did.
“They’ll use my uncle’s dilemma to skew public opinion.” She waited on his response. When none was forthcoming, she also asserted, “You tattled before…before—” Embarrassment colored her features reddish-brown. “I thought you were different.” Sharlene headed toward Clyde’s corner. “Guess I was wrong, traitor.”
Drake found his tongue. “Sharlene?”
Sharlene never stopped walking until she reached the mobile station. “Anything, Mr. Clyde?”
“Sharlene!” It was Drake’s turn to be the center of attention when all eyes swung his way.
Sharlene completely ignored him to concentrate on the crackly noises coming out of the speakers. Her only concern now was her uncle’s welfare. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Chapter Twelve
Twelve miserable hours was how long it had been since her arrival to town. She had twelve long hours to imagine the worst because there was no word on Moot. It turned out he was the only person unaccounted for of all the boats that were out yesterday. The surprise squall blindsided other experts as well.
Sharlene took no consolation in that revelation. In fact, she pretty much kept to herself during the night feigning indifference as Drake went about his company’s business. He contributed to her misery. But he wasn’t solely to blame.
The crowd ballooned as he kept tabs on her from afar. Every now and then, she saw a wistful look in his eyes when he looked at her. Somehow, Sharlene knew he would hang close even if she didn’t want him around. Her disappointment in his betrayal at outing her alias was never more obvious. He was persona non grata as far as she was concerned.
Clyde waded through the throng of fishermen who stood vigil at the front door. “Sha, they leave in a minute. There’s a break in the storm.”
She monitored the men geared up for the weather, surprised at what they were about to go do. Their scruffy, strong jaws were set with determination, giving her a glimmer of hope. They had their own problems. Yet, Moot’s friends and longtime neighbors were ready to take a risk on his behalf.
“I’m going, too.” She pushed unsteadily from her seat. Her eyelids were so heavy that sandy irritation made her vision grainy.
“No, Sha.” He batted down her idea. “You stay here. They best do this alone.”
Sharlene took her place at Clyde’s side. They headed to the door where the group parted to make way for their exit. A murky mist filtered in the air, getting thicker as it rolled toward the water. The drizzle didn’t matter to her. All she visualized was the return of the BayouBabe with Moot at the helm.
The people parade gathered in the gray morning on the dock where the boats and trawlers were moored. The fishermen broke ranks to continue on their way. As well-wishers waited, the deep rattle of motors signaled the fleet’s departure. Boat lights faded into the haze leaving behind the constant hum of straining motors.
Slowly, the crowd dispersed, leaving her alone and shivering in the drizzle. Her ears perked to keep track of the diminishing pulsating sounds. She stared off into space, willing her eyes to focus into the cloudy vapors. They were out of sight no matter how
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