Read Online Sunny Side Up (Lake Erie Mysteries Book 1) by Maureen K. Howard - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Maureen K. Howard
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quickly discovered they had absolutely nothing in common—nothing, that is, except some invisible connection linking their gazes.
Hamm raised his glass and toasted. “Here’s to a relaxing, long weekend with no agenda and no worries.”
“Here, here!” Clifton, Sirena and I agreed all at once. June and Jack came in a half beat later.
Winter survival stories gave way to summer plans for cruise destinations, picnics, parties, and for some of us, new shopping adventures. Sirena and June got into an animated conversation, swapping stories about entrepreneurship, freelancing, and the trials and joys of being self-employed single women. June practically had to sit on her hands because I could tell she wanted to write everything down. She was getting some great information on the new store owner on the island that she could easily incorporate into her article. Luckily her memory was even better than her shorthand.
“Cliff, are you up for an evening smoke?” Hamm slipped a sleek leather case from his pocket and removed two of his favorite cigars, offering one to Clifton.
“Man, thanks. I would love to but I’m not sure I could hold a cigar between these water balloon lips of mine at this point, and my lungs are feeling a little tight after that stupid shrimp fiasco. I’ll have to take a rain check.”
“It sucks to be you, Sterling.” I did not just say that out loud. I really needed to be careful. If I had another martini, I was sure to get myself in trouble. I was surprised Cliff actually made that self-deprecating remark. Maybe Sirena was having a positive effect on him. Miracles do happen.
“How about you then, Jack? A good cigar is always better with company.”
“I couldn’t agree more, but one a day’s my limit, and after talking to you earlier, I went home and enjoyed one of my own on my deck. Perfect way to finish off a five mile run, right?”
“Well, as Harry Callahan always said, ‘A man’s got to know his limitations.’”
“Mash, right? Now that was a classic TV show. I wish there were programs on now that were intelligent and entertaining instead of just ‘reality’ shows that are as far from real as you can get.”
“I can appreciate that, Jack. You’re a man after my own heart. Then if you all don’t mind, I think I’ll just take a walk down toward the boats and smoke this by myself. There’s something to be said for peace and quiet as well, especially after all of the shopping excitement I had to endure today.”
“There is that.” I did a double-take when Jack replied with one of Hamm’s famous sayings. I wasn’t sure what to think about that.
Hamm gave my hand a squeeze and pressed a wad of bills into my fist. “Have another drink on me.” I smiled up at my husband and gave him a return hand squeeze. I was fine with him leaving. We had been married for twenty-two years. That doesn’t happen without some give and take.
Clifton’s wistful gaze in the direction of the marina was proof of where he would rather be. Who was he to complain? He was with the most beautiful woman on the island. And she didn’t even run screaming when he morphed into a shrimp-induced, misshapen monster.
Just about then, Sirena excused herself from the table. “I’ll be right back, Clifton. Nature calls. I’ll have another of the same if the waiter comes by while I’m gone.”
As she headed toward the door, I saw her take her cell phone from a deep pocket in her diaphanous skirt and quickly scroll through her text messages. For a split second, her face was reflected in the glass door leading to the inside of the restaurant where the restrooms were located. I couldn’t know what she saw, but her expression reminded me of a brewing thunderstorm.
While Sirena was still in the restroom, our second round of drinks arrived. “Those look wonderful!” I paid the waiter and added a generous tip with the money Hamm had slipped me before he headed back toward the lure of his cigar.
“I know
Hamm raised his glass and toasted. “Here’s to a relaxing, long weekend with no agenda and no worries.”
“Here, here!” Clifton, Sirena and I agreed all at once. June and Jack came in a half beat later.
Winter survival stories gave way to summer plans for cruise destinations, picnics, parties, and for some of us, new shopping adventures. Sirena and June got into an animated conversation, swapping stories about entrepreneurship, freelancing, and the trials and joys of being self-employed single women. June practically had to sit on her hands because I could tell she wanted to write everything down. She was getting some great information on the new store owner on the island that she could easily incorporate into her article. Luckily her memory was even better than her shorthand.
“Cliff, are you up for an evening smoke?” Hamm slipped a sleek leather case from his pocket and removed two of his favorite cigars, offering one to Clifton.
“Man, thanks. I would love to but I’m not sure I could hold a cigar between these water balloon lips of mine at this point, and my lungs are feeling a little tight after that stupid shrimp fiasco. I’ll have to take a rain check.”
“It sucks to be you, Sterling.” I did not just say that out loud. I really needed to be careful. If I had another martini, I was sure to get myself in trouble. I was surprised Cliff actually made that self-deprecating remark. Maybe Sirena was having a positive effect on him. Miracles do happen.
“How about you then, Jack? A good cigar is always better with company.”
“I couldn’t agree more, but one a day’s my limit, and after talking to you earlier, I went home and enjoyed one of my own on my deck. Perfect way to finish off a five mile run, right?”
“Well, as Harry Callahan always said, ‘A man’s got to know his limitations.’”
“Mash, right? Now that was a classic TV show. I wish there were programs on now that were intelligent and entertaining instead of just ‘reality’ shows that are as far from real as you can get.”
“I can appreciate that, Jack. You’re a man after my own heart. Then if you all don’t mind, I think I’ll just take a walk down toward the boats and smoke this by myself. There’s something to be said for peace and quiet as well, especially after all of the shopping excitement I had to endure today.”
“There is that.” I did a double-take when Jack replied with one of Hamm’s famous sayings. I wasn’t sure what to think about that.
Hamm gave my hand a squeeze and pressed a wad of bills into my fist. “Have another drink on me.” I smiled up at my husband and gave him a return hand squeeze. I was fine with him leaving. We had been married for twenty-two years. That doesn’t happen without some give and take.
Clifton’s wistful gaze in the direction of the marina was proof of where he would rather be. Who was he to complain? He was with the most beautiful woman on the island. And she didn’t even run screaming when he morphed into a shrimp-induced, misshapen monster.
Just about then, Sirena excused herself from the table. “I’ll be right back, Clifton. Nature calls. I’ll have another of the same if the waiter comes by while I’m gone.”
As she headed toward the door, I saw her take her cell phone from a deep pocket in her diaphanous skirt and quickly scroll through her text messages. For a split second, her face was reflected in the glass door leading to the inside of the restaurant where the restrooms were located. I couldn’t know what she saw, but her expression reminded me of a brewing thunderstorm.
While Sirena was still in the restroom, our second round of drinks arrived. “Those look wonderful!” I paid the waiter and added a generous tip with the money Hamm had slipped me before he headed back toward the lure of his cigar.
“I know
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