Dark Water: A Siren Novel

Dark Water: A Siren Novel Read Free Page B

Book: Dark Water: A Siren Novel Read Free
Author: Tricia Rayburn
Ads: Link
superpolite and attentive since I got here. With the exception of our infamous head chef, of course.”
    “Is that because Betty put you in charge of day-to-day operations?”
    “Probably.”
    I leaned closer. “Do you think it also has something to do with the fact that … I mean, could it be that they’re acting differently because …”
    “For the first summer ever, my evil sister isn’t here to terrorize everyone? And their guilt for feeling relieved combined with genuine sympathy for me has them walking on eggshells?”
    That wasn’t exactly how I’d put it if I’d been able to find the words, but it was close enough. “Yes?”
    “Maybe.” Her blue eyes shifted toward the waiters ten feetaway. When she spoke next, her voice was slightly louder. “It’s kind of cold up here. Wish I’d brought my jacket.”
    The two waiters exchanged looks, then jumped up. Across the deck, the busboy stood so fast, the back of his chair smacked against the railing. The dishwasher, the only female employee present, frowned and sat forward, but stayed seated. In seconds, the busboy was by Paige’s side, offering the sweatshirt off his back.
    “Thank you.” She smiled, touched his arm. “That’s very sweet. But I’ll be going inside any second.”
    The busboy’s face reddened. He nodded, backed away. The waiters were poised at the top of the stairs, ready to storm the kitchen in search of—I’m not sure what—chef coats? Thermal aprons? Now they straightened and returned to their table, casting curious glances in our direction. The female dishwasher sat back and pouted at the harbor.
    Paige leaned close, whispered, “It might have something to do with that, too.”
    Before I could respond, she drained her coffee cup and got up.
    “Time to restore order among the ranks.” She squeezed my shoulder as she passed behind me. “If you ever want a job, just say the word. They might be respectful, but I could still use all the experienced help I can get.”
    I smiled. My only restaurant experience had come last summer, when I’d spent a few days shadowing Paige and taking the occasional order. She’d offered me an impromptu jobwhen we’d hit it off shortly after my return to Winter Harbor, and because her grandmother was the owner, no one had protested—much. Her older sister, Zara, hadn’t exactly welcomed me with open arms. In fact, she’d been so cold, my head had pulsated with pain every time she was near; I wouldn’t learn until much later that this wasn’t simply because I’d grown severely anxious in her presence.
    It was because we’d been linked. Even related, in a sense. Just like Paige and I were now.
    Aware that the male employees’ attention had shifted to me, I downed my eggs and coffee and started gathering dishes. The wind shifted as I stood, bringing with it a gust of moist, salty air. Instinctively, I closed my eyes, inhaled. When I opened them again, they locked on the parking lot below.
    Unlike last year, when Betty’s Chowder House was so busy an attendant was needed to check reservations and monitor the parking situation, the lot was nearly empty. It was almost noon, prime weekend brunch time, and there were only half a dozen cars.
    Mom’s black BMW SUV, which I’d borrowed after dropping off her and Dad at the lake house, was one of them.
    A green Subaru was another.
    “Excuse me, miss?”
    I tore my gaze away. One of the waiters stood next to me.
    “Are you all right?” he asked.
    “Of course.” I forced a smile, wondered if he could hear the hammering of my heart.
    “Can I take care of that for you?”
    I followed his nod to the floor, where my feet were surrounded in shards of broken porcelain.
    “Don’t worry about it.” His voice was a combination of nervous and reassuring. “I do that all the time.”
    I looked at my hands. They were empty. I’d dropped my plate and coffee cup, they’d shattered … and I hadn’t even noticed.
    “Thank you,” I said, “but

Similar Books

Challenge

Amy Daws

Forget Me Not

Isabel Wolff

How Sweet It Is

Bonnie Blythe