Past Due Read Online Free Page A

squirm like Maureen. She grinned at Jenna and continued, “And if this happens to have certain, um, benefits to the proposal, then it’s just a serendipitous coincidence. We didn’t exactly plan it.”
    “Plan what?”
    “The man. We didn’t lure him in or anything. And it’s not our fault that he’s…hmmm did Esther say he was handsome, or did she say he was hot?” Lois thought a minute then went on with a shrug of her shoulders, “Well, regardless of whether or not he’s hot or just handsome, you will have to come face to face with him. We’ll admit we have the hope of the stars striking you over the head, and you have the reality of getting paid $300 for taking a couple of pictures. Everybody wins. If you ask me.”
    “Lois. How could you? You know how much I hate...”
    “Now Jenna,” Lois mocked with a glint in her eye, “I won’t listen to your foolishness. You need the money. And you could use a man too. Life’s short dear. I know when a gal’s young she thinks she has nothing but time, but life has a way of marching on to its own beat and one day, whammy you’re old. You deserve to find your soul mate. Be happy; make love on the beach under the moonlight.”
    “Lois!” Jenna blurted her cheeks glowing red. “You know I hate fix ups!”
    “And I’m not fixing you up. I got you work.” Lois took a gulp of coffee. “Esther’s the one trying to fix you up.”
    “Oh, great.” Jenna slumped in her chair. “Why does everyone think I need a man? It’s a little pathetic. No one tries to fix up Maureen and she’s widowed.”
    “I’m old and fat, Jen. You’re still a knock out.” Maureen laughed. “But I suppose to make things fair; you could try to fix me up too.”
    “Quid pro quo, right Maureen?” Lois laughed. Maureen chuckled and hooted.
    “Well, I’m glad you two are enjoying this ... because I’m not. The last twenty four hours have been miserable. My car blew up, that damned...” Jenna stopped herself. She turned crimson, how did she explain running into Tres when no one even knew about him? “That fool at the gas station carded me, though he knows who the hell I am and that I’m old enough to buy wine.” She covered her face with her hands and gave out a frustrated groan. Then a thought crossed her mind. It was absurd, but she just had a feeling. “What’s Mr. Hotty’s name?”
    Lois thought a moment. “Esther told me ... I can’t remember for certain, but it was something like Chip or Chuck or Chaz. Something with a ‘Ch.’”
    “You know I will get even with you two. You’re taking advantage of me because you know I need the money.”
    Maureen looked nervous. “Now, Jen, if you don’t want to take the pictures I am more than happy to—”
    “Shush, Maureen. You’re not paying for my repairs. Why is it that people are always trying to shove me off on some guy ... or trying pay my bills?”
    Lois smiled. “That’s just how the island works. We take care of our own.”
    Jenna crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. “How am I ever supposed to be a modern, independent woman around here?”
    “Trust me dear, it’s overrated,” Lois said.
    Maureen agreed with a nod to her head.
    Jenna sighed, defeated. “I guess I’ll just have to take you guys’ word for it.”
    “But then, how the hell would we know?” Lois admitted with slap a to Maureen’s leg. “We’ve lived on this sand bar our whole lives.”
    Jenna ignored their smug smiles as she wrapped up Milo’s pie. She said farewell and headed up the road. Jenna couldn’t help but wonder if her pathetic attempts at financial survival and her single status ranked as the most popular topics of conversation on the island, second only to the weather- but only during hurricane season.
    ***
    At the Cape Hatteras Light Station, a smattering of workers assembled to get the light and museum ready for the re-opening. Russell Hooper was one of those men. Normally he was outside overseeing the grounds crew, but