The Tempest by James Lilliefors Read Free Book Online Page A

broadcast the Sunday ser­vice online. It was more than three-­to-­one against. The feeling was, it might discourage ­people from coming to church.”
    Lowell frowned, as if Luke had just made a serious math error.
    â€œBecause from what this fellow says, it’s just the opposite.”
    He went back to his food and an awkward silence replaced the camaraderie. Luke heard distant sirens, then saw red and blue emergency lights whirling along the coast; no one else seemed to notice.
    â€œSo are they going to keep the church where it is, or move to a new building?” Judy asked Charlotte.
    â€œStill up in the air,” Luke said. “Eventually, we’re going to need a larger building. I don’t think we’re quite there yet.”
    â€œIt’s funny, we were looking at it today,” Lowell said, “and from certain angles it’s even more run-­down than I thought. Judy was saying it looks like something from an old horror movie.” A flush rose up Judy Carrington’s neck. “But with a little work, you could make her a pretty elegant old building. You know, it’s all cyclical, that kind of thing. First they say you’re old and worn out; before long, they’re calling you a classic. Kind of like us, right, Jude?”
    Judy Carrington, although caught by surprise, smiled and glanced at Luke.
    â€œWill you two be getting away at all, once the season is over?” she asked.
    â€œProbably, yes,” Charlotte said. “Although we haven’t decided where yet.”
    Charlotte’s mother took a long sip of her vodka and tonic.
    â€œUs three,” Luke said.
    â€œYes. Technically, we’re a family of three,” Charlotte said.
    Lowell hissed good-­naturedly.
    Something was going on, Luke saw—­more police lights speeding toward the coast road.
    â€œA dog is fine, but it’s never the same as family,” Lowell said, “your own flesh and blood.”
    â€œHe is flesh and blood, though,” Charlotte said.
    â€œAnd fur,” Luke added.
    â€œYes. And fur.”
    Charlotte’s father surprised them both by laughing. He could be a good sport when he wanted to be. Charlotte gave him her sweet sideways smile in reply, and Lowell patted her hand. It was a rare tender moment.
    Over dessert, Lowell turned to Luke: “You know, Lucas, I’ve mentioned this before, but if you ever get tired of what you’re doing, consider coming down to the Bahamas. I could set you up in real estate down there, luxury properties, you could pull down some very nice commissions.”
    Luke gave him an arch look. “Get tired of what I’m doing?”
    â€œNo, I don’t mean your work, of course. I mean—­the cir cumstances. Living here.”
    â€œAh.” The salary, in other words. Luke was content, though, to be a servant, as he thought of it, earning a servant’s wage. But he knew better than to argue the point with Lowell Carrington.
    â€œThe crowds here in summer,” Judy said, her nose crinkling as if she’d caught a bad smell. “The traffic.”
    â€œSummer people,” Charlotte said. “They bring strange things.”
    â€œIt’s true,” Luke said.
    â€œCase in point.” Lowell set down his drink, stretching his chin forward. “I drove our rental car down to check on the boat before coming here and saw a lovely sight on the way back—­not more than a half mile from where we’re sitting now. I was crossing one of those creeks back there with the little bridges? And this fellow was out in his boat—­fishing, I assume—­and as I drove over the bridge the man stands up and begins to urinate off the side. I tooted my horn at him and the fellow just waved. Kept urinating.”
    â€œOh, my,” said Judy.
    â€œYes, a very lovely sight.”
    â€œAnd, of course, that would never happen in the Bahamas,” Charlotte