Laugh Like You've Never Cried (Summer Lake 5) Read Free Page B

Leanne. “What would you like to do, hon?”
    Leanne smiled. “I'll go along with anything. I think I've caused enough trouble. I'm just going to do as I'm told from now on.”
    Michael chuckled to himself at the apologetic smile she gave Laura, and the way Smoke scowled before standing up and taking Laura's hand. “Well, this is us gone. We'll be down for breakfast early. Then I'll have to head out to the airport to get Papa Charlie ready.”
    Once all the goodbyes were done with, Michael wandered across the square and out down Main Street. He let himself into the house and took a cold beer from the fridge. It was weird to be here without Ethan. He hoped his little man was having a good time with the old guys up at the camp cabin. He couldn't even call to say g'night to him. He knew Gramps would drive them up the hill to where they could get a signal in the morning though. Seven a.m. check-in was the plan. He couldn't wait.
    He sat on the back deck looking out at the lake. So much had changed in the last six months, and changed for the better. He'd never dreamed he'd come back to live in Summer Lake, but he was glad to be here, glad to be among friends, and glad that Ethan was settling in so well.
    He took a swig of beer and smiled as he thought about Megan. From what Ben and Missy had said, maybe there was some hope for getting to know her. He usually just stuck to flirting with women. He enjoyed it. He enjoyed seeing them respond to him, enjoyed knowing that they were interested, and that he had no intention of doing anything about it. Now he was interested. He wanted to know more about the timid little lady who hid her beauty behind big glasses and her body inside baggy clothes. He'd just have to hope that this Ollie guy was nothing serious. He'd get Ben to fill him in tomorrow, or Missy. One of them would crack if he bugged them enough.
    ***
    A fter he'd talked to Ethan, Michael decided he had time for a quick bike ride before meeting the gang for breakfast. He wouldn't get his full hour in, but he could at least do the short circuit out along the river and back down by the public beach. He pulled on his cycling shorts and grabbed his helmet then headed out. It was weird to do this on a Saturday morning without Ethan, but the boy was off having fun. He'd been all excited about going fishing with Scot. It was good for him to be getting out and doing stuff without his old dad in tow the whole time. Michael climbed on his bike and set off down the street. He'd be able to set a good pace while he was out on his own. He should make the most of it.
    Half an hour later he was coasting back down the hill towards the public beach. There was hardly anyone there yet. He could see one figure walking a dog, but that was it. He brought his bike to a halt and leaned it up against a tree. He loved to walk the beach when there was no one around. He wandered down to the water's edge and started skimming stones out across the lake. It was like a mill-pond this morning.
    As he threw a stone, a dog came running down the beach, barking and wagging. Michael bent to stroke him as he went crazy around Michael’s legs. “Hey, fella! It's nice to meet you too.” The dog barked and barked and seemed to be grinning at him as he jumped around his legs. “Calm down, mate!” Michael laughed. “What do you want? You want me to throw for you?” He picked up a stick and threw. The dog barked happily as he chased after it and brought it back. He dropped it at Michael's feet and sat panting expectantly, waiting for him to throw it again. Michael grinned. “Don't you have a two-legged of your own to do this for you?” He looked around but couldn't see the dog's owner. He threw the stick again and laughed, watching the dog wiggle as he ran. He didn't have a tail, so instead he was wagging his bum as he went. He really did seem to be grinning as he came back with the stick in his mouth. He dropped it at Michael’s feet. Michael wasn't sure what