Read Online Chasing Julia (Rhode Island Romance #2) by Sophia Renny - Free Book Online Page A

roll and slaw,” he said. “What do you want?”
    “Clear chowder. And
I’ll have the coleslaw, too.”
    “I’m getting a
beer. You want one?”
    She had a very
brief internal debate between keeping her promise to never drink alcohol again
and the allure of enjoying an ice cold beer on a warm late summer day. “Sure. A
pale ale.”
    He dropped his hand
from her back and pulled his wallet from his rear pocket. “Go grab a table on
the deck. I’ll wait for our order.”
    She nodded.
Glancing around, she noticed the inside dining room was only half full. The
deck, shaded by a blue awning, was more crowded, but there were still some
empty tables available. She snagged some napkins and utensils before heading
outside.
    She commandeered a
picnic table and sat down, facing the water view. While she waited for Tony,
she gazed across the harbor towards the cluster of houses and buildings that
lined the shore of Jerusalem, Rhode Island. It was a pleasing mix of ramshackle
beach shacks and more upscale dwellings. Wooden piers jutted out into the
water. Most of the boat slots were empty; the commercial fishing boats had left
hours ago. A leisure boat slowly cruised along the water towards the sea, rock
music sounding from its stereo. The sky was powder blue with just a few puffy
white clouds hovering in the distance. She inhaled the briny air and closed her
eyes, savoring the smells of ocean and fish—fresh and fried—and the distant
hint of autumn. The sound of the water lapping against the pilings lulled her
into a sunny daydream.
    “Falling asleep on
me already?”
    Tony’s teasing
inquiry compelled her eyes to flutter open. His arm brushed against her
shoulder as he set a food-laden tray on the table. He sat down beside her on
the bench.
    “It’s such a lovely
day,” she murmured.
    He swiveled his
head towards her. He’d removed his sunglasses. His eyes were soft on her face.
“It sure is.”
    She blinked slowly
up at him, caught in his gaze. There was that strange, quickening feeling
again. She looked away from him, forced her attention on their lunch. “ Mmm .
This looks good. And you got my favorite beer. Thanks!”
    She picked up the
bottle and clicked it against his before taking a swallow. Then she set it down
and dug into her chowder and slaw.
    They ate in an easy
silence, enjoying the food, the fresh air and the scenery. The Block Island
Ferry traveled up the harbor, loaded with homeward-bound vacationers as well as
islanders visiting the mainland. People lined the railings, many of them waving
at the diners. Tony and Julia waved back.
    Tony tossed his
napkin on the tray and patted his flat stomach. “That hit the spot. Are you
finished?”
    She drank the last
of her beer and set it down. “We should go for a walk. Otherwise, I’m going to
fall asleep right here.”
    He nudged her
lightly in the ribs with his elbow. “Lightweight.”
    She rolled her eyes
at him before swinging her legs over the bench and rising to her feet. “If they
could mix beer and sunshine into a sleeping pill, I’d never have insomnia
again.”
    Concern touched his
expression. “Still not sleeping well?”
    She shrugged.
“Better than I was.”
    His eyes rested
speculatively on her face for a few moments, but he said nothing further as he
helped her load up the tray and clean off the table. After they’d both used the
restroom, they headed outside. They walked along the breachway towards the
ocean and then kicked off their shoes, carrying them as they strolled close to
the water’s edge on Salty Brine State Beach.
    The beach wasn’t as
crowded as it would have been at the height of summer, but it was still very
busy. Julia watched some children making sandcastles and thought of the happy
times she’d enjoyed here when she was their age.
    Memories of Joe drifted
into her thoughts again. She was trying to remember if he had ever come here
with her. She didn’t think so. They’d seldom had outings like this. He’d