Read Catching Serenity for Free Online

back end’s fallen asleep in this chair one time too many. The beach sounds like a good idea.”
    “ Do you have any swim trunks?”
    He half-laughed. “I said I’d go to the beach, but don’t think I’m exposing this lily white chest to anyone much less the sun. Bad enough I’ll be showing these peg legs of mine, but I have some pride left. I’ll get my exercise walking up and down by the water.” He paused and his eyes softened. “We could build a sand castle like we used to, and I can twirl you under my arm, and say, ‘Dance, Princess Serenity, dance…’ Remember that?”
    S he’d never forget their special little sing-song. “You must be thinking of Prudence. That settles it then. Sunday afternoon, we have a date to go to the beach and supper. Be ready at two-thirty.”
    When Clinton reached for the cigarettes, he caught the look on her face and dropped his hand. “Hope your meeting goes well, and you get your first paying client.”
    Serenity swallowed the lump lodged in her throat. “Thanks. I’ll see you soon.”
    “ Come back again tomorrow.” Although muffled, his words floated to her as she retrieved her purse and walked through the living room.
    “ I’ll try,” she murmured, closing the front door behind her.
     

     
    The day was beautiful with the salty ocean breeze wafting in from the Atlantic as Serenity walked on a quiet side street near the waterfront, drinking it in like a visit with an old, dear friend. How she’d missed the sound of ocean waves lapping on the beach, the sight of palm trees swaying in the breeze and the caws of the seagulls.
    T he bright pink coffee cup hand-painted on the front window of Martha’s Cup & Such beckoned to her and the bell on the door jingled as she stepped inside, announcing her arrival. Glasses clinked, silverware clattered and the low, steady hum of the kitchen staff and customers’ conversations filled the popular coffee shop. She breathed in the familiar smells.
    Yes, she was home .
    “ Serenity McClaren?”
    She turned back toward the cashier’s counter located just inside the front door. Two men stood to one side, but which one had called her by name? One was short, balding, middle-aged and rotund. The other was tall, broad-shouldered, chestnut-haired and impossibly attractive. And played Frisbee on the beach with a dog named Freud.
    Pasting on a tentative smile, she moved toward them.
    This should be interesting .

~ CHAPTER 4~
    The shorter man stepped forward. “Serenity, right? I thought that was you.”
    Serenity smiled as he pumped her hand a couple of times. “Yes, and you...”
    “ Art Masmer. Your dad and I used to play trombone together in the Salvation Army Band. I’d heard you’d moved back to town. Sure is good to see you. Too many young folks move away and never come back. Your dad must be tickled to death to have you home again.”
    Glancing over Art’s shoulder, Serenity caught the amusement in the younger man’s expression. No doubt this was her first client. For his part, Dr. Ross appeared to be enjoying this scenario. She gave him a slight nod—one she hoped appeared polite and professional—and returned her attention to Art.
    “ I hope your family’s doing well,” she said. Try as she might, she couldn’t place him. She didn’t know what else to say and prayed Art had a family or she’d be backpedaling fast. Judging by his wide smile, she’d made an appropriate comment.
    “ They sure are. Our oldest, Susie, married Mark Blanchard a couple of years ago, and they just gave Nell and me our first grandson. Wyatt’s five months old already. Here, let me show you a photo.” Pulling out his wallet, Art flipped it open and pointed to a photo of a chubby-cheeked, bright-eyed baby. He beamed when Serenity expressed her congratulations. “Tell Clinton I hope he’s planning on playing in the Fourth of July band this year. We could use another trombone.” Saying good-bye, he waved to someone in the back of the