Read Online Finding The Way Back To Love (Lakeside Porches 3) by Katie O'Boyle - Free Book Online

Dress.”
    “Go sexy. Go all out.”
    “I just might.”
    Deirdre surveyed Lynnie’s Chestnut Lake Café on Sunday morning and saw mostly empty tables at eleven o’clock. “The calm between storms,” she said.
    “I’m glad for a little privacy,” Gwen admitted as she settled across from her sponsor.
    Deirdre brought two coffees and two cinnamon buns to the table. “An update on Mr. Right, please.” She leaned close. “Tell me everything.”
    Gwen blushed and fanned her steaming coffee mug. “He dumped decades of leaves and bugs and grime in my hair.”
    A horselaugh escaped Deirdre. “This guy is so right for you.”
    “It was the fallout when we brought the canoe down from the rafters. And later, he called and invited me to an event at the Manse tonight.”
    “I like it.” Deirdre put her elbows on the table.
    Gwen chuckled. “I do, too. And he used some tough love with Haley at breakfast, made her open up about what her boyfriend, Rick, was thinking. It turned out she’d kept the pregnancy a secret from Rick all this time.”
    “Yikes.” Deirdre took a sip of her coffee.
    “‘Yikes’ is right. But Peter’s words had an effect. Haley called Rick, and Rick’s coming around suppertime today. Which reminds me, what food can Haley and I fix this afternoon that will keep her mind occupied but be easy to heat up at the last minute?”
    “Comfort food. A big pan of lasagna, a salad with good old Italian dressing, and lots of bread and butter.”
    “Great. I’ll swing by the store after this, and Haley and I will make a project of it.”
    “And we are now done with distraction number one, correct? The subject on the table is your love life, not Haley’s.” Deirdre’s voice was stern.
    “You’re right. I distracted us.”
    Lynnie bustled over. “Anything else, ladies?”
    Deirdre replied for both of them, “No, thank you, Lynnie.”
    Gwen opened her mouth to greet Lynnie. Before she could say a word, Deirdre glared at her and mouthed, “Shut up.”
    Gwen scowled at her sponsor. What’s up with that?
    Lynnie hesitated a second before she said, “Sure, no problem. It will be quiet now until noon.”
    To Gwen, her voice sounded puzzled and a little hurt. No wonder . She offered Lynnie a weak smile, and Lynnie left them to their conversation.
    “What was that about?” Gwen whispered.
    “If you’d said one word, Lynnie would have talked for an hour.” Deirdre raised an eyebrow.
    “Maybe, but it felt rude.”
    “Sorry, I’ve only got half an hour, and I really need to know what’s going on in your head and in your life. Back to breakfast with Peter, please.”
    Gwen made a mental note that something was off with her sponsor. It didn’t happen often, and it usually had something to do with Vince. She continued her breakfast story. “The three of us laughed and had an interesting conversation. Then, as I said, Peter convinced her to contact Rick. After breakfast Peter fixed the lock Haley had broken, and he asked about the old canoe. It had been sitting up on the rafters in the garage for . . . probably decades. I’d never given it a moment’s thought. Tired as he was, he helped me get it down and out to the lawn. I can’t tell you how excited I am at the thought of paddling that canoe with him, Deirdre.” A smile curved her lips.
    Deirdre reached across the table and tapped Gwen’s fingers. “Nice nails. You’ve been to the spa. And your hair is gorgeous. I like the upswept wave on one side.”
    “I do, too. I’m going to tuck in a couple of sparkly bobby pins for the dinner dance.”
    “What’s the occasion?”
    “It’s to honor Chief Barker as he retires. I have a hunch Joel arranged it all,” Gwen told her. She pointed to Deirdre’s mug. “More?”
    Deirdre shook her head. “It wouldn’t surprise me. Joel was so appreciative of the chief’s handling of the situation with Manda and the pervert professor. After that, Joel made a complete turnaround in his relationship