Deviled!: Lake Erie Mysteries Book 2 Read Online Free Page B
Author: Maureen K. Howard
got caught in a torrential downpour here. We went to the marina to see if you guys had gotten the weather update, but when we got to the boat slip, it was empty.”
“Everything’s fine, Francie. Barb got the weather alert, and one look at the sky told us we’d better get a move on. We made it to Sunset Marina and got the boat tied up just as the storm hit. We’re at the clubhouse having dinner.”
“Well, that’s good. I feel better now. Promise me you’ll plug your phone back in when you return to the boat. I’m guessing you don’t have a lot of battery power. You’re always forgetting to keep that thing charged.”
“Yes, Francie, I promise. I love—”
And with that I lost the call. I’m sure he’d charged his phone for all of about five minutes. For a smart, successful attorney, sometimes I wondered how he managed.
June had a bemused “I told you so” look on her face, but didn’t rub it in. I felt better knowing the guys were safe and enjoying themselves. I just wished I’d had the chance to tell Hamm about our meeting with the DeVilles and our good fortune of scoring all the freebies. He would’ve gotten a kick out of knowing Bob’s bad attitude had resulted in such good luck for us.
Now it was time to get back to the matter of our evening plans.
“Are we really going to get dressed again and go to the dinner show? It’s probably been cancelled since the power went out.”
As if on cue, the lights came back on, and I blinked while my eyes adjusted to the brightness of the room. I didn’t recall turning on every light in the place, but I guess between the two of us we had managed to do just that. So far, we were not being conscientious stewards of the environment. Oh well.
“I guess the show must go on. It won’t take me long to get ready. We sure don’t have anything else to do tonight, and we don’t have to go outside again to get to the theater. Let’s take the DeVilles up on their offer for those VIP seats at the magic show.”
“Why not? I’ll make some coffee while you get ready.”
6
All the world's a stage, /And all the men and women merely players; /They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts.
As You Like It
T he Crystal Theater was located on the main floor, just down the hall from the check-in desk. Wow! It was nothing less than magnificent. Crystal chandeliers glowed and sparkled with amber light. White pillar candles flickered on every table, infusing the tiered room with a fairy-tale-like quality. Two handsome, tuxedo-clad ushers appeared out of nowhere, took us both by the elbow, and escorted us down the stairs to a plush booth at the front of the theater. Angelina and Damien, already seated in the center booth, were engaged in friendly-sounding conversation. Our hostess rose to greet us.
“Welcome, Francesca. June. I’m so glad you could make it. I hope the storm and the power outage didn’t cause you too much inconvenience.” She extended her hand, indicating our places in the booth.
Our escorts bowed and took their leave while Damien got us settled in our seats across from him and his beautiful wife. He filled four glasses from a bottle of champagne that had been chilling in an ice bucket beside the booth and settled confidently into his seat. There was no sign of the furious man we had encountered at the elevator.
Angelina held her sparkling champagne flute out to us and offered a toast.
“May we never regret this. Cheers!”
We raised our glasses, clinked them around the table, and sipped. Glancing sideways at June, I tried to gauge her reaction to Angelina’s unconventional toast, but she either didn’t notice or didn’t think it was all that unusual. Waiters in sharply pressed uniforms arrived and orchestrated a dinner event fit for heads of state: buttered rolls and a delicate summer salad lightly tossed with a tangy vinaigrette, followed by filet mignon and lobster. The asparagus with cream sauce
“Everything’s fine, Francie. Barb got the weather alert, and one look at the sky told us we’d better get a move on. We made it to Sunset Marina and got the boat tied up just as the storm hit. We’re at the clubhouse having dinner.”
“Well, that’s good. I feel better now. Promise me you’ll plug your phone back in when you return to the boat. I’m guessing you don’t have a lot of battery power. You’re always forgetting to keep that thing charged.”
“Yes, Francie, I promise. I love—”
And with that I lost the call. I’m sure he’d charged his phone for all of about five minutes. For a smart, successful attorney, sometimes I wondered how he managed.
June had a bemused “I told you so” look on her face, but didn’t rub it in. I felt better knowing the guys were safe and enjoying themselves. I just wished I’d had the chance to tell Hamm about our meeting with the DeVilles and our good fortune of scoring all the freebies. He would’ve gotten a kick out of knowing Bob’s bad attitude had resulted in such good luck for us.
Now it was time to get back to the matter of our evening plans.
“Are we really going to get dressed again and go to the dinner show? It’s probably been cancelled since the power went out.”
As if on cue, the lights came back on, and I blinked while my eyes adjusted to the brightness of the room. I didn’t recall turning on every light in the place, but I guess between the two of us we had managed to do just that. So far, we were not being conscientious stewards of the environment. Oh well.
“I guess the show must go on. It won’t take me long to get ready. We sure don’t have anything else to do tonight, and we don’t have to go outside again to get to the theater. Let’s take the DeVilles up on their offer for those VIP seats at the magic show.”
“Why not? I’ll make some coffee while you get ready.”
6
All the world's a stage, /And all the men and women merely players; /They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts.
As You Like It
T he Crystal Theater was located on the main floor, just down the hall from the check-in desk. Wow! It was nothing less than magnificent. Crystal chandeliers glowed and sparkled with amber light. White pillar candles flickered on every table, infusing the tiered room with a fairy-tale-like quality. Two handsome, tuxedo-clad ushers appeared out of nowhere, took us both by the elbow, and escorted us down the stairs to a plush booth at the front of the theater. Angelina and Damien, already seated in the center booth, were engaged in friendly-sounding conversation. Our hostess rose to greet us.
“Welcome, Francesca. June. I’m so glad you could make it. I hope the storm and the power outage didn’t cause you too much inconvenience.” She extended her hand, indicating our places in the booth.
Our escorts bowed and took their leave while Damien got us settled in our seats across from him and his beautiful wife. He filled four glasses from a bottle of champagne that had been chilling in an ice bucket beside the booth and settled confidently into his seat. There was no sign of the furious man we had encountered at the elevator.
Angelina held her sparkling champagne flute out to us and offered a toast.
“May we never regret this. Cheers!”
We raised our glasses, clinked them around the table, and sipped. Glancing sideways at June, I tried to gauge her reaction to Angelina’s unconventional toast, but she either didn’t notice or didn’t think it was all that unusual. Waiters in sharply pressed uniforms arrived and orchestrated a dinner event fit for heads of state: buttered rolls and a delicate summer salad lightly tossed with a tangy vinaigrette, followed by filet mignon and lobster. The asparagus with cream sauce
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