Breathless by Pam Withers

Author:Pam Withers
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: JUV000000
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Published: 2005-09-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Piles of new stock arrived the next morning at the shop, making Weniki and me super-busy pricing and putting things out on the shelves. I kept offering to do anything that required working at the back of the shop. I hoped that would help me avoid Garth if he dropped in.

Later in the morning, when Uncle Tom pulled up at the back, I practically ran to the sinks outside. “Weniki, I’m in charge of rinsing this load!”

She looked up and nodded. I was up to my elbows in water when I heard Garth greet Uncle Tom inside. I stayed out of sight. Half an hour later, when I ventured in, I wasn’t sure if I was pleased or disappointed that he hadn’t figured out where I was.

After serving a couple of customers, I was looking around for something to do when I noticed that it was 1:00. Uncle Tom usually picked up our lunch by now. Maybe I’d do that.

“I’m just going next door to grab sandwiches,” I said.

Uncle Tom grunted without looking away from the computer. Weniki gave me a thumbs-up. Now that was sign language I could understand.

Next door, as I waited for our order, the aroma of food wafted around me. My nostrils were in heaven. The sights and smells tested every bit of resolve I had not to jump over the counter and scoop up handfuls of meat to shove in my mouth. Meat, bread, pickles, cookies, anything.

I could read the headlines now: “Starving girl goes mad in deli, explodes after ingesting too much.”

Instead I ran a hand over my hollow belly. I was halfway to my weight-loss goal. And while I hadn’t done so well in the boyfriend department yet, there seemed to be lots more lines trying to reel me in here than in Winnipeg. Maybe Hawaiian boys get too much fresh air and sunshine, I thought with a twisted smile.

“McLeod order ready.”

“Thanks,” I said, paying with my own money for once and trotting back to the shop. “Lunch is on,” I announced. “I’ll look after the shop while you two eat.”

I perched on the stool behind the counter and willed some customers to drop in. It didn’t work.

“Beverly, honey, at least come join us until someone’s here,” Uncle Tom insisted.

I dragged my heels into the staff room and took lots of time brewing myself a cup of coffee. I could feel Weniki’s eyes on my back. I decided to throw her off my scent. I took half a sandwich and bit into it. Half a sandwich wouldn’t wreck my diet. Not if that’s all I ate.

Weniki’s face seemed to relax. “You finished all my rinsing,” she said, her nasal voice light and her eyes kind. “What will I do all afternoon?”

I smiled. “Train me to fill tanks?”

“That’s a good idea,” Uncle Tom said.

“And maybe teach me some sign language,” I added.

Weniki raised an eyebrow at that. Her lips edged toward a smile. Uncle Tom looked proud of me. “She’s smart as a whip, Weniki.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.