Read Online Clallam Bay (A Fresh Start #2) by L. C. Morgan - Free Book Online
Authors: L. C. Morgan
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Chapter Seven
It was the slamming of his truck door that woke me the next morning. While I had the restraint to resist the night before, my curiosity got the best of me this time and I got up to look out the window. By the time I made it off the couch, he was already pulling out of the driveway and all I got was a side-shot of his tailgate.
“Oh my God. Close the blinds. The sun is the devil.”
Alyssa emerged from the bedroom and Amber followed closely behind her.
“Where are my glasses? I need my glasses.”
While Amber frantically searched the living room for her sunglasses, Alyssa followed me into the kitchen. She sat at the table while I prepared us some very strong coffee.
“I feel like maybe I should apologize for last night. I never drink that much. But the good news is, I learned my lesson and never will again.”
“Is this puke?” Amber appeared in the doorway, her bug-eyed sunglasses pointed down at her sleeve as she walked into the kitchen. “Whose puke is this? Why do I have puke on me?” She sat down, stretching her arm across the table.
Alyssa reached out and picked at the dried substance before sniffing it. “Yep.” She straightened and crinkled her nose. “That’s definitely puke.”
“Yeah, your puke,” I said to Alyssa then turned to fill the coffee pot with water. I talked over my shoulder at them. “Don’t you guys remember anything?”
They looked at each other and I sniffed a laugh, turning back to pour half the amount of usual water into the pot. Strong. It needed to be strong.
It took a couple minutes to brew, then I passed them each a mug and we sat in silence as we sipped, listening to the wind blow against the house. I wasn’t mad at them like they probably thought. I felt strangely serene even though I had a lot on my mind. Firstly, I needed to finish up my conference notes.
“I do recall Sonia talking about some farmer’s market going on today down by the docks. Once the room stops spinning and Amber changes her shirt, we should go. My insides could use some fresh fruit.”
Perhaps I could put the note-writing off for just a little while longer.
“What do you say? Is it a date?”
I nodded, somewhat happy Alyssa suggested something other than shopping. Though it was still technically shopping. At least it was outside in the sun. I needed some sun.
Setting down her mug, Alyssa straightened in her seat as if she’d just remembered something. “Did I make out with Sonia last night or was that a dream?”
“A dream,” Amber mumbled into her coffee cup.
Alyssa sighed. “Oh thank God.”
Alyssa finished her coffee then went home to shower and change, leaving Amber and me to do the same. Amber touched up her nails as I dried and curled my hair. When Alyssa returned, we piled into her car and took off for the docks.
It was a beautiful day to spend by the bay. Not a cloud in the sky. While the breeze was cool, the sun was warm and I was glad I’d dressed fairly light.
Once we parked and reached the stands, all three of us took off in different directions. Amber for the vegetables. Alyssa for the fruit. And I for the pies they had piled by the checkout. I was craving apple with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side something fierce.
“Apple. Great choice. That’s my favorite too.”
I looked up to find Harbor Master Russ standing beside me. All I could think was, he was my neighbor’s stepbrother. He was Coll’s stepbrother. Him and he were stepbrothers. They were stepbrothers. Stepbrothers! My mind screamed at me so loud I didn’t hear the next thing he said.
“I’m sorry?”
“My grandma, she made them. They’re the best. Not too sweet. A little salty.” Handing me a sample cup, he motioned with his hand. “Go on. Try for yourself.”
Using the little wooden dipper, I spooned a biteful into my mouth. “Mmm.”
“Yeah?”
I nodded, covering my mouth self-consciously when he didn’t look away.
“Mmhm … Yeah. Not too sweet. A
Chapter Seven
It was the slamming of his truck door that woke me the next morning. While I had the restraint to resist the night before, my curiosity got the best of me this time and I got up to look out the window. By the time I made it off the couch, he was already pulling out of the driveway and all I got was a side-shot of his tailgate.
“Oh my God. Close the blinds. The sun is the devil.”
Alyssa emerged from the bedroom and Amber followed closely behind her.
“Where are my glasses? I need my glasses.”
While Amber frantically searched the living room for her sunglasses, Alyssa followed me into the kitchen. She sat at the table while I prepared us some very strong coffee.
“I feel like maybe I should apologize for last night. I never drink that much. But the good news is, I learned my lesson and never will again.”
“Is this puke?” Amber appeared in the doorway, her bug-eyed sunglasses pointed down at her sleeve as she walked into the kitchen. “Whose puke is this? Why do I have puke on me?” She sat down, stretching her arm across the table.
Alyssa reached out and picked at the dried substance before sniffing it. “Yep.” She straightened and crinkled her nose. “That’s definitely puke.”
“Yeah, your puke,” I said to Alyssa then turned to fill the coffee pot with water. I talked over my shoulder at them. “Don’t you guys remember anything?”
They looked at each other and I sniffed a laugh, turning back to pour half the amount of usual water into the pot. Strong. It needed to be strong.
It took a couple minutes to brew, then I passed them each a mug and we sat in silence as we sipped, listening to the wind blow against the house. I wasn’t mad at them like they probably thought. I felt strangely serene even though I had a lot on my mind. Firstly, I needed to finish up my conference notes.
“I do recall Sonia talking about some farmer’s market going on today down by the docks. Once the room stops spinning and Amber changes her shirt, we should go. My insides could use some fresh fruit.”
Perhaps I could put the note-writing off for just a little while longer.
“What do you say? Is it a date?”
I nodded, somewhat happy Alyssa suggested something other than shopping. Though it was still technically shopping. At least it was outside in the sun. I needed some sun.
Setting down her mug, Alyssa straightened in her seat as if she’d just remembered something. “Did I make out with Sonia last night or was that a dream?”
“A dream,” Amber mumbled into her coffee cup.
Alyssa sighed. “Oh thank God.”
Alyssa finished her coffee then went home to shower and change, leaving Amber and me to do the same. Amber touched up her nails as I dried and curled my hair. When Alyssa returned, we piled into her car and took off for the docks.
It was a beautiful day to spend by the bay. Not a cloud in the sky. While the breeze was cool, the sun was warm and I was glad I’d dressed fairly light.
Once we parked and reached the stands, all three of us took off in different directions. Amber for the vegetables. Alyssa for the fruit. And I for the pies they had piled by the checkout. I was craving apple with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side something fierce.
“Apple. Great choice. That’s my favorite too.”
I looked up to find Harbor Master Russ standing beside me. All I could think was, he was my neighbor’s stepbrother. He was Coll’s stepbrother. Him and he were stepbrothers. They were stepbrothers. Stepbrothers! My mind screamed at me so loud I didn’t hear the next thing he said.
“I’m sorry?”
“My grandma, she made them. They’re the best. Not too sweet. A little salty.” Handing me a sample cup, he motioned with his hand. “Go on. Try for yourself.”
Using the little wooden dipper, I spooned a biteful into my mouth. “Mmm.”
“Yeah?”
I nodded, covering my mouth self-consciously when he didn’t look away.
“Mmhm … Yeah. Not too sweet. A
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