Treachery on Tenth Street by Kate Belli

Author:Kate Belli
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Crooked Lane

CHAPTER 14

“You’re heading in? I was coming out to meet you.” Ida halted Genevieve’s progress back to shore, standing stomach high in the foamy brown water.

“Too much sun,” Genevieve lied.

“Oh,” said Ida, obviously disappointed. Maude waved at them from the beach, where she and Callie remained wading up to their ankles. “Maude is fearful of jellyfish. I was hoping to splash around a bit with you two. Or would you rather be alone?” Ida peered at Daniel, who was standing nearby but not quite within earshot. “Did you have a row with your beau?” she asked, dropping her voice.

A blush stained Genevieve’s cheeks, which she hoped Ida would mistake for sun. “He’s not my beau,” she said, glancing in Daniel’s direction. “Just a friend.”

“Really?” Ida swam in a small circle. “I don’t think it would be possible to be just friends with a man that handsome.” She grinned wickedly. “You must be quite strong willed.”

Genevieve laughed despite herself. It was exactly the kind of thing Callie would say, and she told Ida so.

“A fondness for attractive men is a trait Callie and I share,” Ida laughed. “I understand what she sees in your brother.” She looked in the direction Gavin had swum.

The comment was unsettling. Ida knew about Callie’s relationship with Walter and therefore must know that Callie and Gavin were not a couple. Women had always flocked to Gavin, and historically, he had been an incorrigible flirt. She hoped her brother wasn’t toying with Callie’s affections. “And your fiancé?” she asked, steering the conversation onto more comfortable ground. “Does he fall into that category?”

“Very much so.” Ida beamed. “My Mikey is a good man, who only wants to take care of me. He may not be as adventuresome as I’d like, but I’ve had my fair share of adventures. It’s time to settle down.” She swirled once more in the water, then began to walk in the direction of the beach. “You’re right, we should go in. I’ll be a bride in two weeks, and it wouldn’t do to freckle now.”

After changing out of her wet bathing costume and back into her light day dress, Genevieve still felt a bit sticky and was sure the condition of her hair was unspeakable.

“There are many wonderful restaurants,” Daniel offered, once they had all gathered again at the foot of one of the iron piers. “Shall we try one?”

“I don’t think I’m in any state for fine dining,” Callie laughed, patting her hair, though Genevieve noted with envy it retained its neat style.

Gavin smiled at her. “You look perfect,” he said, “but follow me.”

He led them to a German vendor selling hot sausages in rolls.

“How do you know about this?” Genevieve asked.

“I’ve been here a time or two before,” he said with an enigmatic smile. “This stall is a must when visiting.”

The man behind the counter handed over the sausage rolls, which were topped with a smear of hot mustard and some fragrant pickled cabbage. “They come with mustard and sauerkraut,” Daniel explained.

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