Sarasota Dreams Read Online Free Page B

do you call what you did yesterday when I was at the beach? And now?”
    “The beach isn’t everywhere.”
    Mary made a low growling sound. “You know what I mean.”
    “What is wrong with wanting to get to know you better?”
    “Nothing, except you should know me well enough after all these years.”
    Abe tried to tamp down the hurt. “You make it sound like torture.”
    One corner of her mouth quirked into a grin. “Well, sometimes it seems that way.”
    He lifted his hands in defeat then let them fall, slapping the table. “Okay, okay, I can tell when I’m getting the brush-off. I’ll leave you alone. Now if you’ll please bring me my breakfast, I can be on my way sooner rather than later.”
    Mary turned slightly, then glanced at him over her shoulder with a coquettish look, her cheeks a little rosier than normal. “Grandpa will probably let me leave at three o’clock when the new server comes in, if you’d like to come around then. Maybe a walk on the beach would do us both some good.”

    Abe’s reaction was priceless. His chin dropped, and his eyebrows shot up. As Mary headed back to the kitchen, she had the sensation of floating a few inches above the floor. Grandpa did a double take as she passed him, but he didn’t say a word. However, she did hear a soft chuckle, letting her know he was aware that something was up.
    Ever since she had spotted Abe in the corner of the classroom when she first arrived, Mary had thought he was cute. He’d obviously noticed her, too, but not in the same way. From the moment they exchanged their first words, he seemed bent on tormenting her with practical jokes and mild, good-natured taunting. He was funny, but she worked hard not to let him know she thought so. And he hadn’t changed much.
    Not wanting to face Abe so soon after her emotional vault, Mary talked Shelley, one of the other servers, into bringing him his food and the message that she’d see him at three o’clock sharp out in front of the restaurant.
    Shelley came back, laughing. “He was definitely disappointed to see me, but he said to let you know he’ll be there on the dot.”
    “Good,” Mary replied. “I don’t like it when people are late.”
    “That’s because you’re a Penner. Your grandparents insist on punctuality, which is why there are so few of us working here.”
    “I’m sure.” Mary also knew that the small staff had something to do with her grandparents’ frugality. They didn’t believe in having more than what was needed, including employees. Grandpa expected everyone to work hard, but he compensated everyone well enough to keep the conscientious people.
    “So are you and Abe dating?” Shelley asked.
    “Ha. Not in this lifetime.”
    Shelley stood still and cast a questioning glance Mary’s way. “You said that awfully fast.” She folded her arms and narrowed her eyes as a sly grin worked its way to her lips. “That usually means something.”
    Mary planted a hand on her hip and scowled. “It means nothing, except if I don’t agree to go out with Abe Glick, he’ll keep after me until I do, so I might as well get it over with.”
    “Then what?” Shelley smiled.
    Mary lifted her hands. “Then we go right back to how we’ve always been.”
    “Which is?”
    “Do you ever stop asking questions?”
    “Okay,” Shelley relented, turning back to pick up the next order. “I guess it’s none of my business.”
    “I guess you’re right.” Shelley started to walk away. “Wait, Shelley.”
    Shelley turned around, the plates balanced on her arms. “Ya?”
    “I—I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate you trying to help.”
    “You really need to think about opening up and letting people in a little more.”
    Mary forced a smile and nodded. Shelley would never understand. Whenever people looked at Mary, she was sure they saw her mother—and in this community, that wasn’t a good thing. Other people had left, and she heard the talk.
    The rest of the day was