Sunny Side Up (Lake Erie Mysteries Book 1) Read Free Page B

sipped my drink and basked in the warmth of the afternoon sun, I admired the purple streak in June’s ultra-short hair, wondering where she found the time to coordinate her hair color with her outfits. June, as usual, was ready to move on.
    “So when are we leaving for the island? I just have to stop at the houseboat to take care of a few things. I can get there and back in thirty minutes. Or better yet, I’ll just meet you at your boat dock.” She popped out of her chair like Beth’s old jack-in-the-box and bounced through the house and out the front door.
    “Did I miss something?” Hamm asked sleepily.
    “June left.”
    “But?”
    “But what, Hamm? There’s no but. I was just thinking. It’s going to be such a beautiful evening. There’s no wind and the lake looks like glass. Wouldn’t you love to just hop in the boat and run it over to Kelleys tonight? Then tomorrow morning we can wake up and start our long weekend on the island bright and early.”
    “That actually sounds good to me. I’ll help you clean up.”
    “By the way, dear, June is meeting us at the dock.”

Chapter Four
     
    I grabbed our getaway weekend bag with the few essentials that weren’t already on board, and Hamm took charge of my suitcase. “I’m not even going to ask what you have in this thing. I’m just glad it has wheels.”
    We locked the front door and headed up the path toward the boat docks. The marina section of Beacon Pointe was just a short walk from the residential district. Some folks liked to ride in their complimentary golf carts, but we preferred to cover the quarter mile or so on foot.
    When we arrived at the boat, Hamm stood for a second and took it all in with pride. “You know, hon, no matter how many times we’ve done this, it still always feels like we’re coming home.”
    “I know exactly what you mean. I feel the same way.”
    Hamm and I were both looking forward to our first excursion of the season. I was already dreaming of fried fish and new flip flops, and I suspected Hamm was envisioning a long, tall drink and that cigar he never got around to finishing. As luck would have it, all these things would have to wait.
    True to her word, within moments, June was hauling her backpack over the side of the boat and stepping onto the swim platform in new lime green and purple plaid boat shoes. Her camera case was slung around her neck, and the outline of her cell phone was clearly defined through the back pocket of her skinny purple jeans.
    “Hey, lovebirds! Let’s get this show on the road.”
    June’s voice had the effect of a rusty nail scraping across the door of a brand new Porsche. Hamm winced. June was oblivious. I was happy to be with my two favorite people.
    Before Hammond could hyperventilate over the thought of June staying with us on the boat for three days and four nights, she reached into her chirping back pocket and pulled out her iPhone.
    “Oh, good! Yes. Thank you so much. I’ll be checking in tonight and staying until Tuesday.”
    June’s expression took on a mischievous look. There was a distinct twinkle in her eye now. “Yes, that’s correct. The credit card is registered to ‘Sea What’s Sexy.’ What? No! I am a writer. A professional! Well, never mind about that. I’ll see you shortly.”
    June smiled as she wriggled her phone back into its snug resting place. “My boss reserved a room for me at the newly renovated bed and breakfast right next to Ruby’s Treasure Chest, so as soon as we get to the island, I can check in and then you and I can walk over and see what’s new at her shop.”
    I was thrilled with the plan. I was also certain that even though Hamm was celebrating in his head after learning that June would be bunking nearby but in private quarters, he was at the same time fervently praying to every saint he could remember from his days in Catholic school that Ruby’s fabulous island gift store would be locked up tighter than Davey Jones’ locker by the time we