Mobsters and Lobsters (A Hooked & Cooked Cozy Mystery Series Book 2) by Lyndsey Cole Read Free Book Online Page B

only one reason that Hannah could imagine sinking instead of swimming as a vision of Lenny’s body floating in the ocean entered her brain. There was no choice in that situation.
    “What does Cal’s boat say? I can’t figure out the first word,” Olivia asked.
    “Seas the Day,” Hannah said.
    Olivia reached her hand out and grabbed a fistful of air. “Here. This is all I can fit in my hand.” She carefully attempted to transfer the air in her hand to Hannah. “Did you get it all?”
    Hannah snapped her hand closed. “I sure did. Thanks.”
    Olivia leaped onto the back of Cal’s boat without waiting for Hannah to help her. Her short legs barely made it across the open space and Hannah felt her breath catch. Without a word, she followed Olivia’s example and realized that her niece was showing her how to seize this day without sinking. Clever girl.
    “Who do I hear jumping onto my boat?” Cal’s voice asked from inside the cabin. “Are those fish jumping aboard?”
    “No, silly. It’s me and Hannah. Hannah has the pizza so I jumped across all by myself. Where’s Theodore? Hannah told me he’s been lonely.” Olivia looked up at Cal with big round innocent eyes.
    “She did, did she? Well, she’s right. I told Theodore that you were coming to visit and he’s waiting up the ladder on my bed.” Cal took the pizza boxes from Hannah and set them on his small table next to a couple of cold beers.
    Olivia shimmied up the ladder. “There you are, Theodore. Would you like to come home with me for a visit?”
    “Hmmm, sounds like my teddy bear has an admirer,” Cal said. “Maybe it’s time to pass him on to someone that needs him more than I do. What do you think, Hannah?”
    “Olivia loves Theodore. She’d give him a good home for sure, and I think she’s feeling a little insecure at the moment.”
    “About what?” Cal’s voice was laced with concern.
    Hannah slid pizza onto a plate for herself and whispered to Cal, “She asked me if her mom was going to move again.” Hannah shook her head. “She’s done enough moving. Olivia’s in kindergarten now and it’s time they put down some roots.”
    Cal poured a Sam Adams into a mug for himself and one for Hannah. “Why would Ruby move? She has a cute house. You’re close to help out with Olivia. Is she getting enough freelance writing assignments for the paper?”
    “Work isn’t the issue. She’s helping me, too. I can’t keep up with the paperwork, and she’s way more organized than I am.” Cheese dripped down Hannah’s chin after she bit the tip of the triangle off. Fanning her mouth she warned, “It’s hot, be careful.”
    Cal drank some beer instead. “Why would she move, then? You didn’t answer that part of my question.”
    Hannah set her pizza down and inhaled a deep breath. “I can’t talk about it now with—” She nodded her head toward the loft. “Big ears, you know?”
    Olivia, with Theodore tucked under her arm, descended the ladder from Cal’s sleeping area. “I’m hungry.”
    “Well, slide right in here between us. I have a piece of cheese pizza all cooled off and ready for you. Is Theodore hungry too?” Hannah asked.
    Olivia scrunched up her face and, with a serious voice, told Hannah, “He can’t eat. He’s only a teddy bear.”
    Cal hid his chuckle behind his hand. “Olivia, I’ve been thinking. Poor Theodore sits up on my pillow all day and I think he might like a change of scenery. Would you like to take him to your house for a visit?”
    Olivia’s eyes widened to the size of Theodore’s round bear ears. She squeezed him tight. “Really?” She held Theodore in front of her face. “What do you think, Theodore?” She shook the teddy bear and made his head nod up and down. Olivia smiled. A big, happy smile. “Theodore says yes !”
    “That’s settled then,” Cal said. He winked at Hannah.
    Olivia gobbled down her pizza and climbed the ladder again with Theodore in her arms. “We’re gonna look out