Read Online Sunny Side Up (Lake Erie Mysteries Book 1) by Maureen K. Howard - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Maureen K. Howard
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that guy,” Morgan announced. “I’m surprised he doesn’t perform in much bigger venues. He’s really talented.” The guitarist on the patio who had been strumming island tunes and entertaining the diners stopped singing and stood up to make an announcement.
June had a comment of her own before the entertainer spoke. “It seems like there are several people around here with big city talents who would rather concentrate on living a simpler life than chasing fame and fortune.”
Jack gave her an appraising look, but before he could come back with a response, the announcement began.
“The final entry into the drawing for couples to win a chance to be named Island King and Queen in the upcoming Memorial Day parade will be ending in five minutes. Both entrants must to be present at the bar to register, so grab your partner and get on over!”
Cliff craned his neck in the direction Sirena had gone and was practically vibrating with urgency. I could tell that his need for fame and validation was getting the best of him. He wanted in that contest in the worst way. Sirena hadn’t yet returned when the final call was being made to enter. Before I knew what hit me, Cliff grabbed my arm, pulled me to my feet, and started dragging me between tables and mildly startled diners toward the bar.
“What in the name of King Kong are you doing, Sterling? Let go of me! We’re going to kill ourselves dodging tables like this.”
“You have to sign up with me in Sirena’s place for Island King and Queen Francie. Come on, hurry!”
“Oh you are going to owe me big time for this, Clifton.”
We made it to the registration table by the bar at the very last second. We each filled out an entry form, with me standing in for Sirena. I completed Sirena’s entry with the information Cliff whispered to me line by line. Once the ballots were secured and sealed in the official envelope, I began winding my way back to our table. I didn’t wait for Clifton to catch up, but I did decide he would be buying my next drink.
When I got back to our table, I noticed June had moved over so she was sitting right beside Jack Morgan. They were both happily humming along off-key to Faith Hill’s “Sunshine and Summertime” that was playing through the speakers while the emcee was finishing up his contest preparations. I settled back into my chair and returned to my drink. Sirena’s chair was still vacant.
“Maybe you should go check on Sirena. Do you think she’s okay?” Clifton was tapping his thumbs and index fingers nervously on the table. I was sipping my martini, and June and Morgan were still oblivious to their surroundings as well as their lack of musical talent.
“Do you think she ditched me?” I had never heard Clifton express even the smallest amount of self-doubt, so this got my attention. Before I could decide whether to be nice or snarky, Sirena strolled back toward the table.
“Sorry I took so long. There was a line. Oh, drinks! Don’t mind if I do.”
She reached for the vodka martini on the table but then changed her mind. “Why would they put a lemon in a perfectly good drink?” she half-whispered to herself. I was the only one who heard her comment, and I wasn’t even positive that was what she said. “On second thought, I think I’ll pass on the drink. Cliff, darling, maybe we should call it a night. You had quite an eventful evening already, and I’ve got a long day ahead of me tomorrow.”
“It would be a shame to leave fresh drinks on the table. Let’s just stay a few more minutes. I can drive you back to your boutique or your house in under five minutes.”
Leave it to Clifton. One minute he was all worried about his new girlfriend’s true feelings toward him and the next he’s taking the risk of making her mad over a drink, more specifically, a free drink.
Sirena sat back down, gave Cliff a little forced smile, and picked up her martini glass. She swirled the drink in the glass, raised it to her
June had a comment of her own before the entertainer spoke. “It seems like there are several people around here with big city talents who would rather concentrate on living a simpler life than chasing fame and fortune.”
Jack gave her an appraising look, but before he could come back with a response, the announcement began.
“The final entry into the drawing for couples to win a chance to be named Island King and Queen in the upcoming Memorial Day parade will be ending in five minutes. Both entrants must to be present at the bar to register, so grab your partner and get on over!”
Cliff craned his neck in the direction Sirena had gone and was practically vibrating with urgency. I could tell that his need for fame and validation was getting the best of him. He wanted in that contest in the worst way. Sirena hadn’t yet returned when the final call was being made to enter. Before I knew what hit me, Cliff grabbed my arm, pulled me to my feet, and started dragging me between tables and mildly startled diners toward the bar.
“What in the name of King Kong are you doing, Sterling? Let go of me! We’re going to kill ourselves dodging tables like this.”
“You have to sign up with me in Sirena’s place for Island King and Queen Francie. Come on, hurry!”
“Oh you are going to owe me big time for this, Clifton.”
We made it to the registration table by the bar at the very last second. We each filled out an entry form, with me standing in for Sirena. I completed Sirena’s entry with the information Cliff whispered to me line by line. Once the ballots were secured and sealed in the official envelope, I began winding my way back to our table. I didn’t wait for Clifton to catch up, but I did decide he would be buying my next drink.
When I got back to our table, I noticed June had moved over so she was sitting right beside Jack Morgan. They were both happily humming along off-key to Faith Hill’s “Sunshine and Summertime” that was playing through the speakers while the emcee was finishing up his contest preparations. I settled back into my chair and returned to my drink. Sirena’s chair was still vacant.
“Maybe you should go check on Sirena. Do you think she’s okay?” Clifton was tapping his thumbs and index fingers nervously on the table. I was sipping my martini, and June and Morgan were still oblivious to their surroundings as well as their lack of musical talent.
“Do you think she ditched me?” I had never heard Clifton express even the smallest amount of self-doubt, so this got my attention. Before I could decide whether to be nice or snarky, Sirena strolled back toward the table.
“Sorry I took so long. There was a line. Oh, drinks! Don’t mind if I do.”
She reached for the vodka martini on the table but then changed her mind. “Why would they put a lemon in a perfectly good drink?” she half-whispered to herself. I was the only one who heard her comment, and I wasn’t even positive that was what she said. “On second thought, I think I’ll pass on the drink. Cliff, darling, maybe we should call it a night. You had quite an eventful evening already, and I’ve got a long day ahead of me tomorrow.”
“It would be a shame to leave fresh drinks on the table. Let’s just stay a few more minutes. I can drive you back to your boutique or your house in under five minutes.”
Leave it to Clifton. One minute he was all worried about his new girlfriend’s true feelings toward him and the next he’s taking the risk of making her mad over a drink, more specifically, a free drink.
Sirena sat back down, gave Cliff a little forced smile, and picked up her martini glass. She swirled the drink in the glass, raised it to her
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