Love Finds You in Treasure Island, Florida Read Online Free Page A

tourist season.”
    He laughed. “I know what you mean. I had to get help this year, and you know how hard that is.”
    “Oh yeah.”
    He finished wrapping her sandwiches and shoved them into a plastic bag before placing it on the counter. “Here ya go, Amanda. Want chips with that?”
    “Sure.” After paying, she dropped the bags of chips into the sack and headed for the exit. Soon she was right back out on the sidewalk, heading for home, which was a block and a half away.
    As she stepped off the curb to cross the street, she heard the ringing of a bicycle bell behind her. “Hey, bicycle lady!”
    The sound of a man’s raspy voice caught her attention, so she spun around—just in time to see her tandem bicycle heading straight for her. The woman on the front grinned as she applied the brakes to slow down.
    Spurred by curiosity, she took a step toward them. “Did you call me?”
    Both the man and the woman extended their legs and planted their feet on the road. The woman loosened her chin strap, removed the helmet, and exposed a thick mane of solid white, wavy hair. “Yes, that was my husband. Sorry he sounded so rude.”
    “I didn’t mean—”
    “My wife doesn’t like me very much anymore,” the man interrupted Amanda. “She’s always correcting me like I’m a child.”
    The woman shot her husband a glance. “I do not.”
    The man chuckled. “See? There ya go again. So what did you want to talk to the bicycle lady about? We just about broke our necks trying to catch up with her.”
    Amanda smiled, in spite of the man’s tone of annoyance. “Is everything okay with the bicycle?”
    “Yes, it’s wonderful,” the woman said as she leaned forward and extended her right hand. “I just wanted to introduce myself. My name’s Rosemary Simpson, and this is my husband, Harold.”
    That explained it. These must be Jerry’s parents, she thought. “I’m Amanda Burns. It’s nice to meet you.” Amanda shook Mrs. Simpson’s hand.
    “Our son never lets us go with him when he picks up the bicycle,” Mr. Simpson said, “but we’ve seen you through the window when we passed by your shop. Jerry said you’re the owner.” He grinned and belted out a belly laugh. “You’re even prettier up close.”
    Amanda had no idea what to say to that, so she shifted the sub sack to the other hand. Now that they had their helmets off and they were only a feet away, she saw the resemblance between them and Jerry.
    “If you ever need anything, let me know, okay?” Amanda finally said. “In the meantime, I’d better get dinner home.”
    “You married?” Mr. Simpson said.
    “Stop it, Harold,” his wife scolded. “That is none of your business.”
    “Oh, that’s okay.” Amanda glanced back and forth between the couple. She finally settled her gaze on Mr. Simpson. “No, I’m not married.” The heat of embarrassment crept up her cheeks.
    “Jerry isn’t married either,” Mr. Simpson blurted. “He’s our only unmarried child. He hasn’t found the right girl yet.” He paused and narrowed his eyes for a moment. “I think it’s about time he settled down. He’s forty-five years old and not getting any younger.”
    His wife jabbed him in the ribs. “I’m sure she doesn’t care.”
    He scowled back at her and refocused on Amanda. “So you’re eating alone?”
    She had to hand it to him for his persistence. “Um…no.”
    “For heaven’s sake,” his wife said as she plopped her helmet back on her head and hooked the strap. “Let’s go and let this sweet girl get back to her business. We’re probably making her late for a date.”
    Mr. Simpson snorted. “So do you have a date?”
    “No,” Amanda replied. “I don’t have a date. I’m bringing food home for my sister and me.”
    “You live with your sister?” A quick smile spread across Mrs. Simpson’s face.
    “Well, it’s more like my sister lives with me, until she can find a place closer to the school where she teaches.” Too much