Read Online Hurricanes in Paradise by Denise Hildreth - Free Book Online Page A

picked up her napkin and laid it in her lap. “Trust me, I don’t think you would want that. Mrs. Harris over there is apparently a big fan of yours, and I’m not sure that you would have the opportunity to eat.”
    “You’d be surprised. Once you get people talking about themselves, you don’t really have to do much talking. Plus, some of my best character ideas come from real people and real stories.” Laine picked up the drink menu and studied it. She raised her green eyes above the top of her menu and locked them on Riley. “Invite them.”
    Riley fidgeted in her seat. “You’re sure?”
    “Invite them.” She made it clear that this time it wasn’t a suggestion. Laine needed an evening with strangers. She needed enough people to carry on conversations so she wouldn’t have to. And one of them seemed like the ideal candidate.
    Riley scooted her chair back and headed to Tamyra first, probably because she would be the harder one to lure. After what seemed like much coaxing, Riley and Tamyra walked over to Winnie’s table. Winnie had her butt half out of her seat before they even got to her.
    Winnie eagerly pulled at the leather chair on the other side of Laine and plopped down, bouncing slightly as she did. Riley tried to hide her snicker. Laine could tell Riley didn’t think she knew what she had gotten herself into. What little Miss Riley didn’t know was that Laine Fulton was a master study in people. And she had already discerned she really didn’t like Riley Sinclair.
* * *
     
    Riley couldn’t understand Laine wanting to invite strangers to have dinner with her. But she had never really understood Californians. They wore black all the time or shades thereof. Apparently thought earthquakes and hurricanes were part of daily life. And thought anyone who had an accent different from their own held a slightly lower IQ. At least that’s what Laine’s tone seemed to imply.
    “Oh my, what a delightful treat. I am having dinner with Laine Fulton,” Winnie said, leaning toward Laine and patting her hand as if Laine might not even know who she was. “ The Laine Fulton.”
    The waiter walked over, apparently aware that the dynamics of his table had just changed. “Hello, ladies.”
    “We’ve some additions,” Riley said. “You might want to let the other waiters know we pulled from two tables over there.” She knew what it felt like to have guests change their minds on you.
    “That’s no problem. Can I get you ladies something to drink?”
    Everyone paused and looked at Laine as if she should begin. She took the cue. “How about watermelon martinis for the table,” she said, setting the menu down.
    Winnie reached over and placed her hand atop Laine’s again. Riley watched Laine’s face tighten. Apparently conversation she could do; personal contact, not so much. She waited for her to pick up Winnie’s hand and set it back by her plate. “Oh, honey. I can’t. I’m Baptist. I always talk about drinking but haven’t had a drop in my life.” She looked up at the waiter. “Do you have sweet tea by any chance, darlin’?”
    “No, ma’am. We only have unsweetened tea.”
    “You don’t get any more Southern than this unless you want to go to Cuba. You’d think sweet tea would be everywhere,” she said, pulling her hand back to her side of the table. Riley watched the muscles in Laine’s face relax. “I’ll have unsweetened. That’s fine. Sugar is sugar, right, ladies?” she said, picking up a packet from the sugar holder and waving it slightly.
    Tamyra spoke next. “I’ll just stick with Perrier, thank you.”
    “And thank you for the offer, Laine. Honestly,” Riley said. “But I think I’ll just have ice water, if you wouldn’t mind, Derrick.”
    Derrick nodded his head and turned toward Laine.
    “Like I said, Derrick. I’ll have a watermelon martini.”
    “Yes, ma’am. I’ll be right back with your drinks, ladies.”
    “Well, I guess I don’t have to worry about