Sunny Side Up (Lake Erie Mysteries Book 1) by Maureen K. Howard Read Free Book Online Page B

did she wink at me?” June and I glanced back through the window only to see Sirena and Clifton nose to nose, giggling again like teenagers on a first date. “She seems nice enough, but isn’t it going to be awkward having dinner with your ex-husband and his new girlfriend?”
    June gave a noncommittal shrug. “It doesn’t bother me. Cliff and I still get along just as well as we ever did. That spark burned out almost as soon as the ink on our marriage certificate dried. I just wish it had happened a little sooner so we could have avoided all of the hassle.”
    “Yeah, without that spark, as you say, Clifton Sterling becomes a bit less attractive and a lot more like an irresponsible, self-centered child.”
    “It is what it is. He can be the mermaid’s problem now. Besides, if the stars are lined up in my favor, maybe there will be some other gorgeous new islander in need of a dinner companion at the restaurant. They seem to be falling from the trees around here.”

Chapter Eight
     
    We needed to get back to the marina so we could get ready for the evening. I felt bad that we never made it back into town for pizza, so I offered to make snacks when we got back. Cheese and crackers would have to do. Hamm and I parted ways with June at the inn and rode the short distance back to the boat where I threw together a nice combination of cheese, crackers and grapes. I was wishing I had that adorable fish plate from Ruby’s. I might just have to make a return trip.
    “Honey, thanks for being so patient today. I know how you feel about shopping. We met some interesting people though, that’s for sure. And how crazy was it running into Clifton Sterling of all people?”
    “Definitely weird. But that Morgan seems like an alright guy.”
    “I saw you talking to him again after I went into Ruby’s. Did he tell you that he’s a detective?”
    “He did mention it, and I was glad he found my lighter. There must be a hole in my pocket or something. Can you pass the cheese?”
    “Sure thing.” I popped a grape in my mouth and handed Hamm the cheese plate.
    “He did have kind of an interesting request though. He said to let him know if we heard any strange noises or were awakened by a very loud motor in the middle of the night, particularly around 1:00. Apparently, there’s a small boat that’s been coming through the marina late at night. The two people on board use a double-dip hydraulic net to scoop up minnows. I had no idea minnow schools can cover the entire width of the marina. I also had no idea there was a black market for stolen minnows. Apparently, these ‘minnow bandits’ are selling their stolen fish illegally to fishing charter boat captains. The marina employees have been trying unsuccessfully to identify and capture these guys all last season, and they’re back at it already. I told him we’d keep our ears open.”
    “Maybe we can help solve a mystery! That would be fun!”
    “We don’t need to set up a spy camp or anything, and you probably shouldn’t even mention this to June. She would probably want to turn it into a full-scale, super-sleuth mission. I prefer to just relax and leave the detective work to the detective. He probably needs something to occupy his time, anyway. It must be a big adjustment moving from Chicago to Kelleys Island. I don’t think I could do it.”
    “Well, at least the Caddy Shack has really good pizza. It can hold its own against Chicago-style any day!”
    “Don’t remind me. I never did get mine today.”
    “Oopsie. We’ll put it on our to-do list for tomorrow. I better go get ready for tonight. At least you can order something yummy at the Island House.”
    “Yeah, this should be interesting.”
    I left Hamm with the cheese plate then and went down to change my clothes for dinner. It was cooling down since the sun was getting lower in the sky, so I chose my black capris, a black-and-white striped tank top and a lightweight white sweater with a hood. Just for fun, I