Death of a Country Fried Redneck (Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mysteries) by Lee Hollis Read Free Book Online Page A

you.”
    “First of all, Gemma, this is not a date.”
    Maybe if she said it enough times she’d actually believe it.
    “I’m working for Wade,” Hayley said. “We’re just meeting to discuss menus. Even if he did know, Lex couldn’t possibly object.”
    “Then why are you so dressed up?”
    Hayley brushed some dog hair off the front of her sweater. “This is not dressed up.”
    “For you it is.”
    Hayley flashed her an annoyed look.
    “Now listen to me, Gemma. I don’t want you breathing a word about this dinner to anyone, do you hear me? I don’t want it spreading all over town. There’s enough gossip around here as it is.”
    Gemma gave her one of those panicked looks that said, I’m going to reassure you, but I am totally lying. “Okay.”
    “What did you do?”
    “Nothing.” Another panicked look.
    “Gemma . . .”
    “Okay, I may have posted something on Facebook.”
    “What? What did you post?”
    “I might have said something along the lines of... OMG! My mother is going out on a date with Wade Springer tonight .”
    “Gemma, you didn’t!”
    “Well, you are!”
    “It’s not a date.”
    “Don’t worry. No one will read it.”
    “You have seven thousand Facebook friends and there are only five thousand year-round residents in Bar Harbor!”
    “Don’t hate me because I’m popular.”
    “Did you mention where we were having dinner?”
    “Of course not.”
    “Good.”
    “But you might want to go talk to Dustin. Soon.”
    “Why?”
    “He’s downstairs tweeting and you know what a big mouth he’s got.”
    Hayley flew out of the bedroom and down the stairs.
    Too late.
    Dustin had already sent out seventeen tweets about his mother’s big date with Wade Springer, even discussing the specials at Town Hill Bistro where they were planning to dine.
    Hayley immediately called Wade and suggested they not go to dinner since she didn’t want gawkers interrupting them. Instead, she suggested a drink at the Balance Rock Inn, a very high-end bed and breakfast set back from the rocky shores of the Atlantic Ocean, where guests could enjoy a cockail outside and watch the cruise ships in the harbor set out for their next destinations.
    There was also an outdoor gazebo with cushioned chairs and love seats in which to enjoy a glass of wine with your significant other, but that was way too romantic, so there was no way Hayley was going to suggest they sit there.
     
     
    Too late.
    When Hayley arrived at the Balance Rock Inn, Wade was waiting for her in the gazebo. She hoped and prayed he wasn’t thinking she was trying to make more out of this than it was.
    A simple business meeting.
    Wade looked gorgeous in his red print open shirt and white cowboy hat and tight jeans and cowboy boots. He had a simple gold neck chain that sparkled in the moonlight.
    “I took the liberty of ordering us some wine,” Wade said as he took Hayley’s hand and led her over to one of the love seats. “I’m more of a beer kind of guy, but I knew I was meeting a lady, so I went for the Pinot Noir.”
    “Thank you,” Hayley said nervously.
    Wade poured them each a glass and handed her one. They clinked glasses. “Here’s to your fried chicken. May I not gain too much weight while I’m here in Bar Harbor.”
    Hayley sat there sipping her wine, feeling completely out of her element. But Wade was perfectly at ease, talking about how he hiked the Precipice Trail today, which climbs a thousand feet up the east face of Champlain Mountain in the park. He said how strenuous it was, but how much he loved it and couldn’t wait to conquer more trails while he was in town. He couldn’t believe how beautiful Acadia National Park was, a little jewel so far removed from the hustle and bustle of the major cities. He was an outdoorsman, happiest when pushing his physical limits.
    God, Wade was sexy.
    Hayley took another sip of wine. “Did you get the menus I e-mailed you? I want to know about any allergies you might have, or if