Read Online Sunny Side Up (Lake Erie Mysteries Book 1) by Maureen K. Howard - Free Book Online
Authors: Maureen K. Howard
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anything come on so quickly. Maybe I should invest in one of those EpiPens myself.”
“Probably not a bad idea,” June answered. “Not only does Clifton’s vanity keep him from advertising his flaws, but he also has some issues with impulse control. Just saying.”
Chapter Nine
When Clifton could speak again, he humbly thanked both June and me for saving him from death, if not embarrassment. I could see it was an effort for him to speak through his slightly less bulbous lips, and after that, he sat quietly like a chastised schoolboy for a long time while we chatted with Sirena. I begrudgingly admitted to myself that I liked her.
Hamm asked her about the travails of starting up a new business on a little island. “The logistics alone of getting your merchandise over from the mainland must have been a daunting task, especially doing it all on your own.”
Sirena leaned in close to Hamm and replied, “Everyone on the island has been so welcoming and helpful. I got a lot of especially good advice from a local lady, Ruby Burns. She and her husband, Roger, gave me contact numbers for merchants and vendors on all of the islands as well as on the mainland. They were so nice especially considering I’m in direct competition with her business. They seemed to know everything about everyone. The only thing Ruby had a hard time with was remembering my name. She has a beautiful gift shop here. Do you know her?”
The conversation was taking a dangerous turn toward the topic of shopping. Hamm needed a diversionary tactic. Quickly he asked, “How about drinks? This round is on me. I think Cliff could use a nice glass of bourbon about now. I know what Francie wants. June, how about you?”
I looked suspiciously at my husband. Was he being nice to June? I wondered if he was trying to impress Sirena. Oh, well. I was having a good time and wasn’t about to spoil the mood. Getting into the spirit, I asked Sirena, “Have you tried the chocolate martini, the Diva? I don’t know how they do it, but you won’t find a better one anywhere. Ever.”
Sirena answered me quickly. “I hear they’re fabulous, but I’m a one cocktail kind of girl. Vodka martini, dry, with a lemon.”
“That sounds refreshing and it’s hard to mess up a good martini, but you should try the chocolate martini at least once. You won’t be sorry.”
“I’ll definitely keep that in mind,” Sirena answered politely.
“I’ll have a Jack Daniels over ice.” We all turned to the newcomer who had just placed his order. He wasn’t butting in as we all assumed; the waiter just happened to be standing right behind Hammond.
“Hey, it’s you!” Hammond and the man said simultaneously. Then they both laughed. I recognized him as the runner, or detective as the case may be, I met talking to my husband outside Ruby’s Treasure Chest earlier in the evening, and he was every bit as handsome as the first time I saw him.
“I see you survived your shopping expedition.”
“I did. But we never did make it over to Caddy Shack for pizza.”
“Well, if you’re hungry, this place makes the best hamburgers on the planet. And trust me, I know my burgers.”
“Thanks, Jack. I’ll survive. I’ve given up many meals over the years because of shopping diversions. Jack Morgan, you remember my wife, Francesca. And this is June, her friend. And this...”
Jack interrupted. “Oh, I know these two. Sirena is a neighbor, and I met Mr. Sterling the first day he arrived on the island. We had a little chat about his treating our rural roads like the Indy 500.” Clifton shrugged in reply. He was already looking much better, but didn’t seem to want to take the risk of talking out loud.
Hamm stood and shook Jack’s hand. “Please join us, Jack. You can’t be all bad since you just ordered the same drink I was about to.”
So there we were. A nice even six. Our drinks arrived and we settled into friendly conversation. June and Super-Hunk, I mean Jack,
“Probably not a bad idea,” June answered. “Not only does Clifton’s vanity keep him from advertising his flaws, but he also has some issues with impulse control. Just saying.”
Chapter Nine
When Clifton could speak again, he humbly thanked both June and me for saving him from death, if not embarrassment. I could see it was an effort for him to speak through his slightly less bulbous lips, and after that, he sat quietly like a chastised schoolboy for a long time while we chatted with Sirena. I begrudgingly admitted to myself that I liked her.
Hamm asked her about the travails of starting up a new business on a little island. “The logistics alone of getting your merchandise over from the mainland must have been a daunting task, especially doing it all on your own.”
Sirena leaned in close to Hamm and replied, “Everyone on the island has been so welcoming and helpful. I got a lot of especially good advice from a local lady, Ruby Burns. She and her husband, Roger, gave me contact numbers for merchants and vendors on all of the islands as well as on the mainland. They were so nice especially considering I’m in direct competition with her business. They seemed to know everything about everyone. The only thing Ruby had a hard time with was remembering my name. She has a beautiful gift shop here. Do you know her?”
The conversation was taking a dangerous turn toward the topic of shopping. Hamm needed a diversionary tactic. Quickly he asked, “How about drinks? This round is on me. I think Cliff could use a nice glass of bourbon about now. I know what Francie wants. June, how about you?”
I looked suspiciously at my husband. Was he being nice to June? I wondered if he was trying to impress Sirena. Oh, well. I was having a good time and wasn’t about to spoil the mood. Getting into the spirit, I asked Sirena, “Have you tried the chocolate martini, the Diva? I don’t know how they do it, but you won’t find a better one anywhere. Ever.”
Sirena answered me quickly. “I hear they’re fabulous, but I’m a one cocktail kind of girl. Vodka martini, dry, with a lemon.”
“That sounds refreshing and it’s hard to mess up a good martini, but you should try the chocolate martini at least once. You won’t be sorry.”
“I’ll definitely keep that in mind,” Sirena answered politely.
“I’ll have a Jack Daniels over ice.” We all turned to the newcomer who had just placed his order. He wasn’t butting in as we all assumed; the waiter just happened to be standing right behind Hammond.
“Hey, it’s you!” Hammond and the man said simultaneously. Then they both laughed. I recognized him as the runner, or detective as the case may be, I met talking to my husband outside Ruby’s Treasure Chest earlier in the evening, and he was every bit as handsome as the first time I saw him.
“I see you survived your shopping expedition.”
“I did. But we never did make it over to Caddy Shack for pizza.”
“Well, if you’re hungry, this place makes the best hamburgers on the planet. And trust me, I know my burgers.”
“Thanks, Jack. I’ll survive. I’ve given up many meals over the years because of shopping diversions. Jack Morgan, you remember my wife, Francesca. And this is June, her friend. And this...”
Jack interrupted. “Oh, I know these two. Sirena is a neighbor, and I met Mr. Sterling the first day he arrived on the island. We had a little chat about his treating our rural roads like the Indy 500.” Clifton shrugged in reply. He was already looking much better, but didn’t seem to want to take the risk of talking out loud.
Hamm stood and shook Jack’s hand. “Please join us, Jack. You can’t be all bad since you just ordered the same drink I was about to.”
So there we were. A nice even six. Our drinks arrived and we settled into friendly conversation. June and Super-Hunk, I mean Jack,
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