Read Sweet Tea at Sunrise for Free Online

disillusioning her just yet. She seemed to enjoy working herself into a frenzy.
    “I’m not quite ready to make an announcement,” he told Ronnie. “I figure there’s some advantage to building anticipation.”
    “Interesting strategy,” Ronnie said with a thoughtful expression. “Are you sure you want to let people get carried away with their speculation? Next thing you know, there could be protests on the town green.”
    Travis did chuckle at that. “You’ve heard about the sex toys, too?”
    “Indeed, I have,” Ronnie admitted, looking intrigued. “Are they wrong?”
    “Very,” Travis assured him. “But let them enjoy themselves a little longer.”
    “Trust me, you really don’t want to let Grace work up a full head of steam over this. Anything you announce after that will pale by comparison.”
    “I’m not worried. I think this will stir up some excitement.”
    “But not trouble?” Ronnie persisted.
    “I can’t imagine how. Tom would never let me get away with doing anything that would hurt this town. He considers its success to be his own personal mission.”
    “Good point,” Ronnie said, looking reassured. “Letme know if you need any help fixing the place up. I know several guys who do good work—painting, minor construction, handyman jobs—for a reasonable price.”
    “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”
    “You need any help carrying all that back over there? I can close up for a minute and give you a hand.”
    “No need,” Travis said, picking up the heavy box and two bags. “When it comes time for the paint and whatever else I need, I’ll be back.”
    “Sure thing,” Ronnie told him. “And don’t forget to stop by Sullivan’s one of these days. I’m usually hanging out there in the evening, if you find yourself looking for company.”
    “Will do.”
    Travis went back to his new space and got to work. Whenever he tired of the powerful aroma of cleaning solution, he stepped outside to breathe in the sweetly scented spring air. And more times than he could count, he caught a glimpse of Sarah looking in his direction. He wondered if she shared Grace’s opinion about what he was up to, and if so, what she thought about it. One thing for sure, her curiosity was evident. He found that increasingly satisfying.
     
    It had been two weeks since they’d discovered that Travis McDonald was the new owner of the space on Azalea Drive, but Sarah and Grace were no closer to figuring out what he had planned. The windows were still covered over with brown paper to keep out prying eyes, but it was evident that Travis had been in there every day working from morning till night. Sarah had to admit being impressed by how industrious he seemed to be.
    While Sarah was curious about his plans, the whole mystery was driving Grace crazy. She was about one frenzied minute away from launching a full-scale protest on the sidewalk outside of Travis’s store.
    “What exactly are you going to protest?” Sarah asked her. “He hasn’t done anything except fix the place up. That can’t be bad.”
    “You mark my words, he has some dastardly scheme in mind, and I intend to nip it in the bud,” Grace declared. “Nobody’s that secretive without a good reason.”
    Sarah bit back a smile. “Grace, you’re getting worked up over nothing. At least wait till he puts a sign up. I told you myself that he’s the town manager’s cousin. He’s not going to do anything that would embarrass Tom.”
    “Then why won’t he say so?” Grace demanded. “I’ll tell you why. Because he’s up to no good.”
    Making an impulsive decision, Sarah took off her apron. “Cover for me,” she told Grace.
    Looking startled, Grace asked, “Where are you going?”
    “Into the lion’s den,” she said. “Where else?”
    Before Grace could stop her, Sarah walked outside, down the block, then crossed the street. Travis was standing on the sidewalk, leaning back against the building’s old redbrick facade in a