Read Online Books Can Be Deceiving by Jenn McKinlay - Free Book Online Page B

one of the older Creekers, as she had to be about the same age as Milton, making her around eighty years old as well.
    Looking at her, it was hard to tell. She wore her cranberryred hair in an updo reminiscent of a beehive. Huge neongreen plastic rings decorated her fingers, and she wore matching bauble earrings and a necklace. Her neck and face were wrinkled from years out in the sun, but she was fit, wearing khaki capri pants with Keds and a knitted sailor’s top. She favored green eye shadow and bright-pink lipstick, and she had a heavy hand with the foundation.
    “So, that’s why I need to borrow a boat,” Beth said, finishing her monologue.
    “Sully just took the water taxi out,” Ronnie said. “He’s picking up the Ginowskis on Split Island. Both Charlie and Ian are out on tours and not expected back until later today.”
    “Could I rent a boat?” Beth asked.
    “All I have left is a kayak,” Ronnie said.
    “I’ll take it,” Beth said.
    “No, you won’t,” Lindsey said. Enough was enough. It was time to rein her in before she got herself killed.
    “Excuse me,” Beth said. “If I want a kayak, I’m taking a kayak.”
    “You don’t even know how to kayak,” Lindsey said.
    “Paddle right, paddle left; how hard can it be?”
    “There are some pretty strong currents out there,” Ronnie said. “Besides, it’s high tide, the rocks are covered by water and you could smash up on one if you don’t know where they are.”
    “See?” Lindsey asked. “Now you’re just going to have to calm down and wait. We can take the water taxi when it returns.”
    “Fine,” Beth said but her cranky tone made it clear that it wasn’t.
    The small office had a tiny waiting area made up of three deck chairs and a glass coffee table covered in boating magazines. Beth sat in one of the chairs and turned to stare out the window.
    Lindsey blew out a breath. There were at least five hundred other things she’d rather be doing on her day off, but Beth was her best friend. She took a seat and picked up a magazine.
    “You don’t have to go with me,” Beth said. “I can handle this on my own.”
    “Normally, I would agree with you,” Lindsey said as she paused to sniff the cologne sample in the magazine. Too citrusy; why was men’s cologne always heavy on the citrus? “But given that you threatened to feed him to the sharks in front of a listening audience, I’m thinking I should be there.”
    “Thanks,” Beth said. “You’re right. You may have to sit on me if he gets within punching distance.”
    “Well, after I let you get in a few kidney shots, maybe,” Lindsey said.
    Beth grinned, and Lindsey was pleased to see a glimmer of the old Beth sparkle in her eyes.
    Forty minutes later, Sully arrived with the Ginowskis. They waved at Ronnie through the glass window and headed into town. Sully gave Lindsey a puzzled look as he entered the office.
    She hadn’t seen him since Nancy’s bad spell the night before, and she wondered if he thought she was here because of that. His first words confirmed it.
    “Is everything all right?” he asked. “Do you need Charlie?”
    “No,” Lindsey said quickly. “Nancy’s fine. We’re here for a different reason.”
    “I need a boat,” Beth said.
    Sully glanced at Ronnie, and she shrugged. “We’re booked out.”
    “Do you need a lift?” he asked. “I can take you in the water taxi.”
    “That would be perfect,” Beth said. “I’ll double your rate.”
    “You don’t have to do that,” Sully said. “Where do you need to go?”
    “Gull Island,” she said.
    Sully’s eyebrows rose. He clapped a hand on the back of his neck. “You know that’s a private island. I’m not supposed to dock there without permission.”
    “Just get me within swimming distance then,” Beth said, and she led the way out the door.
    Sully glanced at Lindsey, and she said, “I’ll explain on the way.”
    Beth was already sitting in the boat clutching her portfolio to her