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

his hand on her hip. Their gazes connected, and she read desire in his eyes.
    Finally, Brandi favored Peter with a dazzling smile. “Table four. Follow me.” She confided to Gwen as they approached the table, “Your dress is stunning, the most beautiful I’ve seen tonight.”
    “Thank you,” Gwen murmured.
    Brandi winked. “You’ll outshine the chiefs’ wives.”
    Uh-oh. Maybe she would sit unobtrusively at the table tonight.
    Brandi told them, “You’re sitting with this evening’s hosts, Joel and Manda Cushman, and Officer Sam Pinelli and his date.”
    What a relief .
    “We have our pick of seats.” Peter gestured to their round table.
    “Almost. I recognize Joel’s cane on that chair.” She pointed. “And Manda’s purse on the next one. If we keep up the girl-boy-girl-boy, I’ll sit next to Joel with you on my right. Sound good?”
    “Works for me. Can I get you a drink?”
    “There should be bottles of sparkling water.” She touched Peter’s arm, and pointed to a long table with two-dozen, tall, blue bottles. “Saratoga Water. It’s Joel and Manda’s favorite.”
    “I’ll bring a bottle for the table.”
    Gwen sat gracefully on a linen-covered chair and admired the white tablecloth and elegant place settings. Light from the chandeliers sparkled in the silverware and danced in the glasses of ice water. She was mesmerized by the play of light until a firm hand touched her shoulder.
    “Imagine seeing my friend Gwen here tonight,” Joel Cushman greeted her.
    “Surprise.” She lifted her cheek for his kiss.
    “In truth, I had plenty of warning.” His gray-green eyes twinkled with good humor. “Tony told me he expected you’d be coming with Sam’s partner.”
    “The Tompkins Falls grapevine is amazing.” She laughed. “I just met Sam and Peter Friday night.”
    “Ah, but wait.” Joel held up his hand. “The town grapevine took second place to the Manse grapevine on this one. First, Sara told Manda, who thought she had the scoop. But she waited to tell me until she and Sara got back from their thrift-shop adventure yesterday.”
    “In that case, Tony beat Manda to it,” Gwen said with mock seriousness. “The town grapevine wins, Joel.”
    “That debate is still being waged, by text, as we speak.” At Gwen’s laugh, Joel pleaded, “Do not encourage her.”
    “Or contradict her, I get it.”
    Peter set down a chilled, dripping bottle in front of them.
    “Thanks, man.” Joel held out his hand. “Don’t crush. I’m still recuperating.”
    Peter introduced himself and gave Joel a restrained handshake. “I noticed the cane.”
    “At just eight months, I’m walking without it most mornings. My doctors are astounded. They think Gianessa has magic powers, which she does.” He added, for Peter’s benefit, “Gianessa is my physical therapist, recently wedded to my uncle Justin.”
    “Hi, everybody.” Manda’s excited voice announced her arrival. The hem of her ice-blue silk gown swirled around her ankles as she moved in on Gwen for a hug. She beamed her appreciation as her eyes swept over Gwen’s dress.
    Peter introduced himself and held Manda’s chair. “Allow me.”
    Manda thanked him and mouthed to Gwen, “He’s handsome.”
    Gwen winked.
    Peter eased himself onto the chair next to Gwen’s. “I know Gwen and Joel grew up in Tompkins Falls,” he said to Manda, “but how did you meet them?”
    “Um,” Manda hesitated, “I work for the Manse in the accounting office?”
    Gwen jumped in. “And Manda and I are both bike-riders. We’ve logged some serious miles together in the last year and a half.”
    “Right. And Sara, who’s coming with your partner Sam, works here at the Spa.” She leaned across Joel and informed Gwen in a conspiratorial whisper, “They are really, really serious.”
    “Sam and Sara?”
    Manda’s sapphire eyes were round with excitement as she nodded. “I think they’re great together.”
    Peter stood at Sam and Sara’s arrival.