Down and Out in Flamingo Beach

Down and Out in Flamingo Beach Read Free Page B

Book: Down and Out in Flamingo Beach Read Free
Author: Marcia King-Gamble
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bank,” Chet answered. “There are special low-interest loans being offered to store owners, all because of the hundred-year anniversary of Flamingo Beach. This centennial will bring tourists here in droves. We’re in the Historical District. This is where Flamingo Beach got started and that’s why we’re being showcased.”
    Why hadn’t Joya heard about this gentrification before? Because she’d been trying to deal with the fact that her ex was moving on.
    â€œHow did you find out about these loans?” Joya asked, “And why hasn’t Granny applied for one?” It was a rhetorical question. She already knew the answer.
    â€œRemember who Chet’s daddy is?” Harley added, smiling and winking at her.
    â€œDid you explain to my grandmother how they work?” Joya persisted, looking from one man to the other.
    â€œYup. But she didn’t want to deal with the paperwork, though I offered to help.” Chet leaned in and placed his hands on his hips. “You know your grandmother and how stubborn she is. She told me her store looks fine just the way it is. She doesn’t need any showpiece.”
    It sounded like something Granny J would say. She was practical to the bone.
    â€œExcuse me.” Another man’s voice came from the road. “If that’s your SUV you’ll need to move it.”
    â€œHang on, Derek. Be right back,” Chet’s partner called, racing off to move the truck he’d parked illegally while unloading it.
    Vehicles were technically not allowed on the narrow cobblestoned streets of Flamingo Row. It was supposed to be a pedestrian haven, allowing shoppers to roam freely and safely in and out of stores.
    Something about the man standing on the sidewalk was familiar. He fitted his blue jeans nicely, though they were faded, ripped and soiled in a few spots. He was well over six feet with a narrow waist and a tight high butt. His T-shirt, though relatively clean, adhered like a bandage across his broad chest and wide shoulders. The sleeves rolled up to reveal corded forearms. Aviator-style sunglasses, the kind in vogue, hid his eyes.
    He must have noticed her staring because he inclined his head but did not smile.
    â€œGlad you made it home safely from church,” he said. “My great-grandmother, Belle Carter, sends your grandmother her regards.”
    It was Derek Morse, a completely different-looking man than the one who’d been to church yesterday in his professional gray suit. He’d been the one who’d helped Gran into her car.
    â€œWhat are you doing here?” Joya asked, aware her voice sounded a little too high. She’d almost forgotten about Chet, who stood checking them out but for once wasn’t running his mouth. That would come later.
    â€œWorking,” Derek answered.
    â€œWorking?” Joya repeated.
    â€œI told you we were under construction,” Chet broke in. “Derek is crew boss or something like that. If you convince your granny to fix Joya’s Quilts he’d be the man to see. Him or the contractor, Preston Shore.”
    Joya would never have guessed the guy she’d met yesterday, who was now staring at the departing SUV, worked with his hands.
    There was an awkward silence, finally broken by Chet. “Joya, Harley and I are thinking of going to Quills and getting coffee. Would you like a cup?”
    Quills was the old diner on the corner. It had recently been turned into a combination stationery and bookstore. There was a little café in the back.
    â€œYes, please. Let me get you money.”
    â€œOur treat. How do you take it?”
    Joya told Chet that she liked it light and sweet. She hurried back into the store to find LaTisha and Deborah’s numbers. While she called LaTisha she rehearsed her sales pitch. Granny J needed to take full advantage of those loans. It would increase her property value if she made the place look good. But Granny J

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