Every Move She Makes by Jannine Gallant Read Free Book Online Page A

table.
    “It certainly doesn’t look like we’re going to starve while we’re here.” Rachel sat down with her loaded plate.
    Jade swallowed a mouthful of macaroni salad. “It’s really yummy, almost as good as Grandma’s.”
    “Don’t let your grandmother hear you say that. You’re right, though. It’s very tasty.”
    “Ozzie is one heck of a cook. We’ve been eating like kings since we got here.”
    Rachel turned around and smiled at the speaker, a young man in his late twenties with long hair pulled back in a ponytail and a scraggly beard. His friend had short, dark hair under a Chicago Cubs baseball cap and brown eyes. They introduced themselves as Chip and Bob.
    “Did you just arrive?” Chip asked.
    Rachel nodded, wondering how he could possibly eat the Dagwood sandwich without half of it ending up in his beard. “We’re staying for a week. Have you been here long?”
    “This is our second day. The place is great. We hiked fifteen miles yesterday, so today we’re taking it easy with a little fishing and lazing around at the lake.”
    “We’ll probably go down to the beach after lunch.”
    “Mom, that lady over there is staring at you.” Ivy tugged on her arm. “I think she’s trying to get your attention.”
    Rachel’s gaze followed Ivy’s pointing finger. A woman who looked to be in her mid-forties with shoulder-length brown hair and an eager expression sat at a table with a man and two teenaged kids. She spoke to them in a low voice before coming over.
    “I’m sorry to bother you.” Her smile was uncertain. “I’ve been going mad with curiosity. Were you by any chance on a soap opera a dozen years ago?”
    “I was, but I’m surprised you recognized me. I was a lot younger and better dressed at the time.”
    The woman shook her head. “Maybe better dressed, but you’re still just as beautiful as you were then.” She stuck out her hand. “I’m Mimi Andrews, and that’s my husband, Greg, with our kids, Kevin and Lauren. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ll admit I watched you religiously back when the children were still in diapers.”
    “It’s nice to meet you, too.” Rachel took the offered hand. “These are my girls, Lark, Jade and Ivy.”
    “You’re all as pretty as your mother. I’ll leave you to finish your lunch. Maybe we’ll see each other down at the lake later.”
    Rachel picked up her sandwich after Mimi left. “She seems like a nice woman.”
    Lark rolled her eyes. “Another fan?”
    Ivy frowned at her sister. “Mom was famous. You’re just jealous because no one knows you were on the show.”
    “She was only in a couple of episodes.” Rachel reached for a chip.
    “And I was a tiny baby. You’re such a dork, Ivy.”
    Jade poked her younger sister. “Hurry up and eat your sandwich. I want to go swimming.”
    Rachel frowned. “The lake is probably pretty cold.”
    “Who cares? Can I go change into my bathing suit?”
    “If you’re finished eating, you may.”
    Jade dumped her paper plate in the trashcan and hurried off with Ivy right behind her.
    “Don’t you want to go swimming?” Rachel glanced over at Lark.
    “Maybe later. Can I go talk to that girl over there? She looks like she’s my age, and if I’m going to be stuck here for a week, I may as well make friends.”
    “Do you mean Mimi Andrews’s daughter?”
    Lark nodded. “Her mom said her name’s Lauren.”
    “That’s right, Lauren and Kevin. Sure, go introduce yourself. I want you to have fun this week.”
    “Don’t push it, Mom.”
    Rachel grinned. “A mother can dream, can’t she?” She dropped her plate in the trash. “I’ll be down at the lake with your sisters if you need me. And please don’t wander off without checking with me first. I don’t want you to get lost.”
    “Or eaten by a bear or kidnapped by an escaped lunatic. I know the drill. See you later.” She hurried off to catch up with the other two kids before they left the picnic area.
    The boy was tall and