6 Beach Blanket Barbie Read Free

problem,” I sympathized.
    “A few of the business owners are talking about initiating a petition to install parking meters along the main drag to discourage long-term parking.”
    I frowned. “I suppose I understand the intent ion, but parking meters don’t really meld with the small-town charm we work hard to sell to the tourists who visit each year. Maybe we should look at a shuttle to take people from a lot that could be set up outside of town to the beach,” I suggested.
    “Most folks don’t like the inconvenience of a shuttle,” Gilda warned.
    “Maybe we could offer an incentive to take the shuttle.”
    “Like what?”
    “I don’t know offhand, but it might be a good topic of discussion for the next events’ meeting. I should get going. Can I bring you something from Ellie’s?”
    “A cold drink would be nice , if it isn’t too much trouble.”
    “No trouble at all. I should be back this way in an hour or so.”

Chapter 2
     
    I stopped to say hi to several locals as I made my way across the street. When I saw the crowd on the pier, I began to wonder if I’d have to wait for a table, but just as I arrived, a couple I didn’t know got up, and I slid into their place. The sun on my shoulders felt better than I can describe. I looked toward the beach, where a flock of kids chased each other, dodging to avoid a group of teens playing volleyball. There’s something about those first days of summer, when the sun is warm and the lake is blue, that brings out the happy in people.
    I knew that in another month the beach would be filled with brightly colored towels and umbrellas placed so close together you ’d barely be able to find the smooth white sand. The beach situated across from the downtown section of Main Street, next to the pier, is the busiest on the lake. During the warmest summer months, the town sponsors a band on the pier that can be enjoyed from both the pier and the beach. The bands played during the late afternoon and early evening, providing a wonderful and festive setting from which to watch the always spectacular sunsets.
    “Oh , good, you found a table,” Ellie said, sitting down across from me.
    “What’s with the binoculars?” I asked the pretty brunette. Ellie had a pair hanging around her neck.
    She smiled at me with her big brown eyes as she lifted them over her head and handed them to me. “Check out the woman lying just to the left of that red and white umbrella,” she instructed.
    I did as directed. There was a very tan woman wearing a red bikini lying on her stomach. “Yeah, so?”
    “Guess who it is ,” Ellie encouraged.
    “I have no idea ; I can’t see her face.”
    “Check out the tattoo on her right shoulder.”
    I focused the lenses so I could make out a small yet brightly colored butterfly. “Barbie,” I gasped.
    Barbie is our other best friend, Levi Denton’s ex. After he broke up with her just before Valentine’s Day, she turned into a bit of a psycho, damaging hundreds of dollars’ worth of Levi’s possessions, including his television and most of his clothing. She left shortly after that, and we figured we’d seen the last of her. Apparently, we were wrong.
    “What is she doing back?” I wondered.
    “I have no idea,” Ellie answered. “I noticed her walking by a couple of hours ago and have been spying on her ever since.”
    “Aren’t you supposed to be working?” I reminded her.
    “I have extra staff today,” Ellie explained. “I’ve been pitching in but still had time to spy. Levi is going to flip out when he hears she’s back.”
    Ellie was right. Levi was going to flip out.
    “Let me grab you a sandwich and then I’ll fill you in. Can Charlie have some scraps from the kitchen?”
    “Yeah , as long as it’s unseasoned meat and veggies.”
    “I knew you were coming , so I’ve been keeping the best leftovers on the side. I’ll be right back.”
    Ellie left the binoculars with me while she went back inside the tiny restaurant.