The Carpenter's Wife by Lenora Worth

Author:Lenora Worth
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2003-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

The smell of popcorn wafted along the air as Ana and the girls strolled through the closed-off Lady Street, the main thoroughfare that ran beside the boardwalk across the small island. A big red-and-white banner over the town square proclaimed The West Island Lighthouse Summer Jam Session and listed the dates. Off in the distance, an instrumental band played a lively tune.

All along the way, the Victorian-style shops and restaurants, once private dwellings but now commercial properties, had thrown their doors open to attract more customers. Huge stone flowerpots filled with red and pink hibiscus trees graced each doorway or porch stoop, while the white gazebo in the park boasted red and pink tea roses and creamy yellow and white Cherokee roses. The whole square, surrounded with moss-draped live oaks, vivid azaleas and crape myrtle, and sweet-smelling magnolias, looked festive and ready for spring. And down the sloping shoreline, past the protected sea oats and the planked boardwalk, the ocean glimmered in shades of blue and green, with sailboats, fancy yachts and tourists boats gracing the waters out past the breakers.

“This is awesome,” Laurel said, her eyes scanning the crowd. No doubt she was looking for Cal Ashworth.

She’d spotted the father and son at one of the food booths, but had lost them in the crowd. Ana could tell Laurel was extremely interested in cute but shy Cal. Laughing to herself, Ana decided Laurel might be a bit too much for poor Cal. He was used to more sedate females.

“What are you smiling about?” Rock asked a few minutes later, as he handed her a soft drink and a grilled chicken sandwich from a nearby restaurant booth.

“Oh, nothing,” Ana replied, enjoying the balmy gulf breeze and the gospel singers who had taken the stage. “Teenagers, life in general, everything.”

“You look content.”

“I guess I am.” After finding an empty picnic table, they settled down with their sandwiches, while Ana kept a watchful eye on the girls, who’d all wanted hot dogs, French fries and funnel cakes. She glanced over at Rock as she nibbled her own French fries. “I’ve always wanted to live in a place like this—small, homey, slow-paced, and near the ocean. I haven’t really had time to get out and explore the island, so this is nice.”

“You work too hard.”

She gave him a quick look, searching for censure in his eyes. Seeing none, she relaxed. “I don’t have a choice right now. Once we get established, I’ll settle into a routine. I’ve already hired two very capable assistants to help with hostessing. And I have three waitresses lined up.”

“You have been busy,” Rock said. “I’ve been so preoccupied with getting the kitchen in order, guess I haven’t notice anyone else much. But I do run into Jackie and that cute little Tina now and again. The dynamic duo, those two.”

“They are worth every penny of their salaries, that’s for sure. They’ve smoothed out the menu plans and the table arrangements while I’ve done a lot of work over the phone,” she said.

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