Read Online Summertime Dream by Babette James - Free Book Online

way too much, sometimes even sleeping in the office. He hadn’t taken a vacation since before the breakup.
    “I saw how busy the place was. Owning and operating a restaurant must make for a long day and hard work.”
    “Yes, it does, but Dad and Joe thrive on the cooking, and we have great staff working for us. I’ll take you in the kitchen one of these days for a tour, if you like.”
    “I’d enjoy that.” He turned the key in the ignition and jazzy trumpet music blasted from the speakers. He adjusted the volume. “Oops, sorry about that. Had it kind of loud. Okay, where to first?”
    “Head for Main Street and I’ll give you the highlights of downtown.”
    “Downtown?”
    “Well, if you use your imagination and don’t blink.”
    His laughter rang out. “Highlights it is.”
    ****
    “I love this car.” She fluffed her hands through her hair and the breeze sent the curls flying and fluttering.
    Margie’s open delight in riding with the top down doubled Christopher’s pleasure in having made the impulsive decision to go with the upgrade and rent the convertible.
    He enjoyed the roundabout driving tour after their cruise down Main Street, crisscrossing through town as she suggested new sights for him: the oldest house in town, the municipal building, the Lutheran and Baptist churches, other historical buildings, and properties formerly owned by his family at times since Falk’s Bend was established.
    Her directions to the restaurant led them over a rattling metal girder bridge to a one-story building stretched along the river with a full parking lot, sided in gray planks, with a metal roof and Caribbean shutters painted the color of boiled shrimp.
    Inside, the fluffy blonde hostess greeted Margie with a wholehearted hug. “Oh, Margie, it’s so good to see you. It’s been ages since you and your folks have stopped in. I saw you at the picnic yesterday, and wondered how you were doing, but didn’t get a chance to run over and chat. We were so worried about you, but you look fantastic.”
    Huh? What had them worried about Margie?
    Margie flushed, looking like she wanted to hush the woman, but she smiled. “I’m doing terrific. I had a fun time yesterday. Tootsie, I’d like you to meet Christopher Gordon. He owns the Falk house now. He’s Mrs. Falk’s great-grandson. Christopher, Tootsie Kennedy, owner of Southern Exposure.”
    “I heard! So nice to meet you. Let me get you two a table. Indoors or the porch?”
    Christopher nodded. “Margie? Which do you prefer?”
    “The porch is always my first choice, even in the summer. I love the view.”
    Tootsie gathered up two menus. “Follow me. If the heat’s too much out there for you, Margie honey, you can always move inside.”
    The view of the peaceful river from the large screened-in deck was as great as promised. A heron glided in for a landing and posed to hunt for its meal. Dragonflies hovered and zoomed. After settling Margie in her chair, Christopher hung his jacket over his chair and loosened his tie. Ceiling fans cut the late day heat, but he should have dressed far more casually.
    Tootsie took their drink orders and left them to study the menus, but as she disappeared into the main dining room they could hear her just fine. “Larry, Grace, you’ll never guess! Margie’s here with Reba Falk’s great-grandson!”
    Margie blushed deeper and hid behind her menu, faintly muttering, “Whatever was I thinking?”
    “Is there a problem?”
    She peeped above her menu. “No, everything’s fine.”
    Before they’d hardly had a chance to study the menu, a stout man with a gray pointed goatee strode up to their table carrying their drinks. “Margie! Look at you! How are you doing, darlin’?”
    “I’m great, Larry.”
    “I told Tootsie you’d be fine and here you are, pretty as a peach with roses in your cheeks again. Are you back to work yet?”
    “Soon as Dad and Joe stop fussing over me.”
    “Glad to hear.” He turned to Christopher.