Read Playing to Win (Summer Beach Vets 2) - sweet contemporary romance for Free Online

and so it’s better if they don’t live together.”
    “Oh.” Ellie didn’t quite know what to say. She looked down at the boy, remembering the slightly lost expression in his eyes when she first met him, and her heart went out to him. She dropped down to her knees beside him.
    “My parents used to fight a lot when I was a child too,” she said quietly. “And in the end, they decided that it was also better if they didn’t live together, so they got divorced. Sometimes that happens. I know it’s really hard—I was very sad and scared for a long time after my dad left home. But… but just because they don’t love each other anymore doesn’t mean that they love you less, you know.”
    Will nodded wordlessly, keeping his eyes on the floor. Milo came over and nuzzled the boy’s hand. He leaned into Will, whining softly. It was the first time Ellie had seen the dog calm and quiet—it was almost as if Milo sensed the boy’s sadness. She reached out and stroked the big, brown head. His fur was smooth, his ears velvety soft. She was surprised at how soothing it was just to run her fingers over the Labrador’s head.
    “I was trying to play Space Invaders with Milo in the living room, but Mum said we were giving her a headache… so I brought Milo out. My auntie said we can go anywhere we like in town, except the beach. I’m not allowed to go there without a grown-up.” He looked wistfully out of the shop window. “I wish I could go, though. It’s much more fun there. And Milo likes digging in the sand.”
    “Well…” Ellie was surprised to hear herself say, “I’m not doing anything in particular this morning. Would you like me to come with you to the beach? That would count as a grown-up, right?”
    Will raised shining eyes up to her. “Oh, would you, Ellie? That would be ace!”
    “Just let me drop this milk off at home and grab some sunscreen,” said Ellie with a smile. “Have you got any on? Maybe you should put a hat on as well. And let your mother know.”
    Will nodded eagerly. “Yeah, and don’t forget your sunnies! It can get really bright on the beach. Okay, I’ll run home and tell Mum—I’ll meet you back on Beach Road!”
    He turned and skipped out of the store, slamming the door behind him, with Milo bounding eagerly ahead of him. Ellie winced as the bells attached to the store door jangled wildly and the whole store seemed to shake following their departure. She’d almost expected a few items to fall off the nearby shelves! She took her milk and ginger beer to the counter to pay, adding a reminder for the popsicle.
    “Good onya. That’s a kind thing you’re doing,” Lindsey said with an approving nod as she rang up the till. “Poor little mite. He’s been having a rough time of it lately with his parents’ separation.”
    Ellie was a bit embarrassed. “Oh, it’s nothing. He’s a really nice kid. I kinda always wished I had a little brother so…”
    “Only child, were you?” Lindsey’s eyes were bright with curiosity.
    Ellie knew that, as one of the newcomers in town, she was the subject of much interest for the locals. Especially since Sara’s whirlwind romance with their own celebrity veterinarian, Dr Craig Murray. Suddenly everybody was also curious about the pretty American’s workaholic cousin who was still such a mystery, despite having been in Summer Beach for five months now. With her position in the corner store, Lindsey prided herself on being the queen of local gossip and made it her life’s mission to know everybody’s business. Which meant that every time Ellie went into the store, she found herself parrying the Australian woman’s well-meaning but nosy questions.
    “Yes,” said Ellie. “I was an only child, but I had a pretty big extended family. Lots of cousins. Sara was the only other girl, though, so we grew up really close. Almost like sisters.”
    “Bet you were grinning like a shot fox when she moved out Down Under,” said Lindsey with a