Read Online Gunpowder Chowder by Lyndsey Cole - Free Book Online Page B

sister and whispered in her ear. “You are so lucky.”
    Ruby squeezed Hannah’s hand.
    The timer buzzed, bringing them back to the subject of their rumbling stomachs. Olivia climbed down the ladder with Theodore tucked under her arm.
    The pizza smelled amazing and looked phenomenal. Cal had mounded mushrooms, broccoli, and diced tomatoes over pesto and mozzarella. A sprinkling of feta cheese topped it all off.
    “Hope you girls like a veggie pizza. I needed to use up what was in my little fridge.” He pushed his pizza wheel through the crust, cutting it into eight slices. “It’s hot. I’ll slide a piece onto your plates.”
    Cal slipped into the space next to Olivia and Theodore. “Dig in so we can get to those delicious candy canes for dessert.” He winked at Olivia.
    Ruby took a bite and cheese stretched between the pizza to her mouth. After she managed to get it all where it belonged, she prompted Cal, “Hannah told me she met you on the beach yesterday morning.”
    Hannah jabbed Ruby’s side with her elbow.
    Cal smiled. “Lucky me. It’s not often that I run into a cute,” he paused to sip his beer, “a cute puppy during my morning beach walk.” He took another sip and locked his eyes into Hannah’s. “Followed by a beautiful woman jogging barefoot in December. Yes, it was my lucky day for sure.”
    “You walk on the beach every morning?” Ruby asked.
    Cal kept his eyes on Hannah. “I try to, and after Jack told me about his new neighbor, I was hoping to bump into that new neighbor.”
    Ruby ignored Hannah’s not so subtle jabs and continued her line of questioning. “What about the murder? Did you hear the gunshot?”
    “No. I think with the constant crashing of waves and the sand and rocks between me and the cottages, the sound must have been muffled.” Cal turned his attention to Ruby. “Where are you staying tonight? Did you get a room at the Paradise Inn?”
    “Oh dear,” Ruby said. “We got busy doing other things. Do you think there will still be a vacancy?”
    Cal picked up his phone. “I’ll give them a call for you. How many nights?”
    “I’m not sure, but two anyway.” She looked at Hannah. “What do you think?”
    “Two is a good start.”
    “Reception is spotty here at the marina but I know where the hot spot is. I’ll be right back.” Cal jumped from the boat to the dock and walked halfway to shore before stopping to make his call.
    Hannah glared at her sister. “What were you doing asking all those questions?”
    “You were turning into a big piece of mush with all his talk about Theodore and meeting a beautiful woman. We have to find out more about him. And the only way to do that is to ask direct, no nonsense questions.”
    Hannah rolled her eyes and said under her breath, “Two days may be one too many.”
    Before Ruby could respond to the comment that was made just loud enough for her to hear, Cal ducked back inside the boat.
    “All set. Meg is working tonight and she’ll take care of you when you get to the Inn.”
    “Meg? Have I heard that name already?” Hannah said, more to herself, wrinkling up her lips as she tried to remember.
    “I think I told you about her. She used to work for Caroline. Fantastic person. I don’t think she likes working at the Inn, so if you’re planning to hire any help, she’s the person for you. At any rate, you can meet her and see what you think when Ruby checks in.”
    The pizza was gone and they all sat back and sighed contentedly. Except for Olivia. “Where did you put the candy canes, Aunt Hannah?”
    Hannah stacked the plates and put them in the small sink. “I’ll wash up and then we can have dessert.”
    Cal tried to push her away. “Don’t worry about that. We can take our dessert and walk around the marina. I’ll clean up later.”
    Hannah gave Ruby a look as if to say, can you believe this guy? She took the candy canes and followed the others off the boat to the dock.
    “Who wants milk chocolate and who