Read Online Summertime Dream by Babette James - Free Book Online Page A

“Sorry, got excited there.” He held out his hand. “Larry Kennedy. Welcome to Falk’s Bend.”
    “Christopher Gordon. Thanks. It’s been a pleasure so far.”
    “Good. Good. I recommend the rib eye tonight if you’re in the mood for steak. Grace will take your order when you’re ready.”
    Larry bustled off and a new flurry of cheerful exclamations burst between him and Tootsie from beyond at the bar. Their waitress, Grace, also gushed over how well Margie looked. Now he was completely curious. Margie kept her blushing face hidden behind the menu, until she had to hand it over. He went for the rib eye and Margie chose the roast chicken special.
    “Nice folks. They seem really fond of you.”
    “Yes. Ah, I suppose I should explain a little.” She glanced away at the river.
    “Only if you want to.”
    She took a deep breath and a delicate sip at her wine. “Well, it’s not a secret. A hazard of small town life where everyone knows you. Short version, I was really sick for a while last year. I had to take some time off and, as you can tell, folks worried. But I’m perfectly fine now, and I just want to get back to normal. I love my job at the restaurant and I’m ready to work, but my family is full of worrywarts and they’re taking longer to get past it than I am. I wish they’d relax. I’d honestly like to stop being the one everyone’s talking about.”
    Margie appeared vibrantly healthy, but...Crap. He shoved a hand through his hair. “You’re really okay? I mean I had you in all that dust and heat today.” She wasn’t telling him everything, and it was none of his business...
    “I’m perfectly fine.” She waved a dismissive hand. “Cross my heart.” She selected a biscuit and gave him a brilliant smile that totally derailed his thoughts for a moment.
    He fumbled for a change of topic. “Do you like to cook? Did you ever want to be a chef?”
    She sighed. He liked how all her emotions played across her face. “The chef gene skipped me. I mean, I’m not one of those people who can’t boil water. I can make decent meals. I’m good at canning. However, living with a family of chefs? Well, there’s a good reason I’m the hostess. Plus, at home, there’s always someone leaning over my shoulder telling me what to add or not add and someone else disagreeing. Giving in and handing them the spoon is just easier and saves my sanity. How about you? Do you cook? You should try a biscuit. They’re very good.”
    “I do and enjoy it. Mom taught me when I was a kid and the skill comes handy now since I live alone. I eat out too much when I travel, so I enjoy cooking for myself when I can.”
    “What do you do for fun?”
    “I fish whenever I can. I bike. Listen to music. My friend Dave got me hooked on jazz when we were in college. I travel often for business, so I try to mix in a little sightseeing each trip. I try to visit my mom and friends whenever I’m in their neck of the woods. I take a vacation every July with friends for two weeks of camping at Lake Mohave. We’re getting together on the fifteenth.”
    “That’s soon.”
    “Yeah. Another reason I need to wrap up things here. We’ve been going since college. The trip’s great fun and I look forward to the complete break from work.”
    “I’ve never been fishing or camping. I like to bike ride. Tell me about the lake.”
    “Even better, I can show you.” He pulled out his phone. “I have some pictures on here from last year. The lake’s part of the Colorado River, located below the Hoover Dam. Southeast of Las Vegas.”
    “In July, it must get hot there.”
    “Yeah, but we’re in the water most of the day, swimming or waterskiing. So, the heat’s not so bad. We laze around, eat, fish, swim, have some beers, and talk for hours. Good times.”
    He shared the pictures with her, naming all his friends and sharing little stories.
    “No wonder you look forward to it. I’d love to vacation with friends like that. Looks like lots