Read Sunny Side Up (Lake Erie Mysteries Book 1) for Free Online Page A

tea-bearing hand in the air. “I certainly wouldn’t recommend swimming this afternoon.”
    “Don’t worry, Roger, I don’t plan to go in the water until probably the Fourth of July. Just the thought of that cold water makes me shiver!”
    June wanted to hear more about the new resident. “So why was he in such a hurry to move to an island in the middle of a frozen lake?”
    “As much trouble as it was, he didn’t seem to mind. Looked more like he was in a hurry to get away from something in his old life than to start something new. Rumor has it Morgan used to be a big-city cop in Chicago. His partner and best friend was killed in the line of duty, so he moved to Kelleys Island to get away from the high crime and stress of his job. I think he’s dealing with something bigger than your typical grief, myself. I also heard that his partner was his girlfriend, or fiancée, or maybe even wife. I have a hard time keeping all the gossip straightened out. Maybe you can ask him yourself. He’s friendly enough, but keeps his personal life all tucked away. I hear he’s very good at what he does and he doesn’t always play by the rules. Of course, that’s just what I hear. You girls better watch your Ps and Qs while you’re here.”
    All of my attention had been focused on Roger’s story, and I hadn’t even noticed that June had wandered off and was now standing in front of the cash register, exchanging her credit card for another one of Ruby’s signature bags, which I assumed contained the matching bottom to the pretty camisole she had just purchased.
    “I wonder if he likes green.” June was evidently thinking out loud as she peeked into the bag containing her second sexy purchase of the day. Who could blame her? She absentmindedly swung the pretty red bag that dangled from her wrist. Her lips were turned up at the corners, and I was pretty sure I could guess what she was thinking about.
    The smile on Roger’s face lit up the room. His laugh caused his Hawaiian shirt to flap against his ample belly and his glass of tea to wobble dangerously in his beefy grip once again. I backed up a few more inches to avoid another tea splash.
    Ruby looked over at June and then at her husband with a twinkle in her eye. “Love, maybe you should introduce Detective Morgan to June here. Don’t you think they’d make a cute couple?”
    “Ruby, that’s a whale of an idea!” Roger set his sweating glass on the counter so he could take his Ray Bans off the top of his bald head and polish them with the corner of his colorful shirt. He gave June a mischievous wink before putting his mirrored specs back on his face, retrieving his beverage, and heading for the door.
    Before he could turn the handle, Ruby stopped his exit with a gentle but firm grip on his arm. “Hold on a minute, Roger. The girls want to make a stop at the new boutique on the other side of the island. What’s it called? Oh, yes, Jewel of the Bay. You should probably tell Hamm out there where it is in case these two get turned around and end up lost.”
    “How do you get lost on a little island? Oh. Never mind. All right, I’ll go have a chat with the boy.”
    With his free hand on the doorknob, Roger stopped and swung around. Third time was the charm. Tea sloshed on his knee-high, white athletic socks and soaked his brown leather sandals. Talk about a walking fashion faux pas. But you had to love the guy. I hope I still find Hamm as endearing, with all of his quirks, fifteen years from now.
    Framed in the doorway, Roger directed one last comment toward us. “Wait till you gals meet the owner of that place—Sirena Divine! Can you believe that name? Red hair, green eyes, legs up to there… Oh, well, you get the idea. At any rate, she’s a flashy one, you betcha!”
    As the door shut behind him, we heard Roger’s booming voice calling out to Hamm. “It’s your lucky day, Hammond! I just set you up with another shopping stop!”

Chapter Seven
     
    “Left or