Summer on Lovers' Island by Donna Alward Read Free Book Online Page B

she’d given him a local anesthetic and grabbed a suture pack and was sitting on a rolling stool putting four stitches in his finger.
    â€œNice stitches.”
    â€œAnd you’re done.” She pushed back and peeled off her gloves. “Keep it clean and I’ll take those out for you next week.”
    â€œI can take them out myself, you know.” He sent her a sarcastic grin. “Easier than putting them in.”
    She shrugged. “You’re the doc. But you’re also a man, and you’ll want to take them out before they’re ready.”
    She was right, not that he’d admit it out loud.
    She was up and tidying and he was still sitting on the chair. “You need something else, Josh?”
    Did he need anything else? He couldn’t think of a thing. Not one single plausible reason to keep her with him a moment longer. Except …
    â€œYou settling in okay?” It was a fair question, right? She’d only been in town a few days.
    She put the used needle in the dispenser and dropped the rest of the mess in the garbage can. “What’s this, the end-of-the-first-week debrief?”
    â€œJeez. Just making conversation. Sorry I kept you late. You probably have plans.”
    She laughed, the sound a little brittle for his liking.
    â€œPlans? In Jewell Cove? Just me and a glass of chardonnay. Real exciting.”
    She didn’t make it sound like a good thing, and he definitely didn’t want to pry. He got up and made his way to the front door but turned at the last minute. She was behind the reception desk again, the phone receiver to her ear as he raised his hand in farewell.
    She fluttered her fingers and smiled, the sharpness of a moment before gone. His heart did a little lurch again. Being attracted to her would be such a mistake. She was a coworker. And she was temporary. He got the distinct impression that she’d rather be back in the big city than killing time in his hometown. Hell, that smile and fluttering of her fingers was about as warm as she’d been the entire week.
    But it had been warm enough to fuel something he hadn’t felt in a long time. And that was very, very inconvenient.
    *   *   *
    July Fourth was as big of a deal in Jewell Cove as it was anywhere else in America. Lizzie’d seen that right away when she’d arrived in town, her suitcases piled into the back of her convertible, at the end of June. Red, white, and blue decorations appeared all week: flags, bunting, flowers, the works. By the time the actual day rolled around, celebrations were in full swing. Lizzie found herself accompanying Charlie and Dave to several events beginning at noon, charmed despite herself at the cheerful, patriotic mood that enveloped the town.
    The mayor, a crusty ex-fisherman named Luke Pratt, made a speech in Memorial Square, the statue of Edward Jewell looking on approvingly. There was a tribute to the members of the armed forces and the announcement of the Most Patriotic Display for local businesses, which went to Cover to Cover Bookstore for their window featuring the Declaration of Independence as the centerpiece with a huge stars and stripes collage as a backdrop. All day long there were special events. A hot dog barbecue in the square; face painting sponsored by the local store Treasures. There was to be a ball game at the park between the current high school team and alumni and games for the younger kids down on the wharf where, incidentally, Sally’s Dairy Shack was giving out free soft ice cream with special tickets handed out by members of the business association.
    Dave was just finishing his cone when he looked over at Charlie and Lizzie. “Okay, you two. I’ve suffered through speeches and the two of you oohing and aahing over flowers and God knows what else. It’s time for some manly pursuits. Can we head over to the ball game? The first inning just started.”
    Charlie looked pained, but