Past Due Read Online Free

her knees in water? She’d keep dipping and rowing; eventually she’d reach shore.
    ***
    She went directly to Maureen’s house. From the porch, she could hear the laughter wafting out the kitchen window along with the smell of cinnamon. Jenna paused a moment until she identified the voice. Lois’s visit continued. Jenna smiled and joined the ladies. They sat at the table drinking coffee.
    “Good morning, Lois. I was headed your way. I have the sand dollars done a little earlier than I’d planned.” Jenna placed the box on the table.
    Lois put her glasses on and looked in the box, “Perfect as usual. How much do I owe you? $15 each?”
    “The usual—$8,” Jenna answered as she took a seat. Maureen placed a plate of cinnamon rolls and a cup of coffee in front of her. She smiled at Maureen, “Mmm, thanks.” She took a napkin from a basket in the center of the table and laid it in her lap. “Oh, and by the way, Maureen, Milo still wants his rhubarb pie, but you don’t have to pay for the car repairs.”
    Maureen stammered as she took her seat at the table, “Well, I... you know I...”
    Jenna patted her hand, “We worked it out. He needs a nursery painted. I need my car repaired. Viola,” she spread her hands like a magician. “Problem solved.”
    “That’s good.” Maureen rubbed her meaty chest. “I don’t mean to interfere. I just know how hard you work.”
    “No worry,” answered Jenna around bites of roll and sips of coffee. “So, was Tanner in on the concoction of the plan?”
    “Why, uh, he...no. No, it was my idea.”
    “He was awfully perky this morning.”
    “I guess maybe he heard me talking on the phone with Milo.”
    “You promised him you’d take care of me.” Jenna’s words were gentle.
    “I...well, I...” Maureen reddened.
    ***
    Jenna turned her attention to Lois, “And as for you, Lois, don’t think I can’t see right through you too. The cost of the art stays the same even when cars break down.”
    “Your car broke down?”
    “You saw it being towed last night,” Jenna reminded.
    “Oh, that’s right. You know, Jenna, they say the memory is the first thing to go.” Lois grinned at Jenna. She snapped her fingers and said, “Speaking of memory lapses…I almost forgot to ask you, I want to write a book on the lighthouse…a picture history of the move and what not. And I wondered if you would take some pictures for me?”
    “Certainly can. When?”
    “Soon as possible. The realtors tell me we’re going to have a little spike in the tourist traffic with the millennium celebration. I guess if the world ends at 2000, may as well spend your last days in paradise.”
    “I suppose,” Jenna mumbled. “ I’ll get the pictures today.”
    “Oh, and while you’re there,” Lois looked at Maureen and a look of smug pleasure passed between them, “Esther asked if you would take some pictures for a guy from the governor’s office. I guess he wants to put them on the state website. Esther said he seemed like a real nice fellow.”
    “How does Esther know I take photos? I just bought the equipment.”
    “Oh, I volunteered you.”
    “You said Esther asked for me.”
    “Well, she asked about photographers, I mentioned you, and then she requested you. Why so suspicious, darling?”
    “Because I know you two. Add Esther to the mix and I know I’m being set up.”
    “Yeah. Set up for a job. Hardly a conspiracy to ruin your life,” Lois said.
    “Why didn’t Esther call the photographer in Salvo?” Jenna asked.
    “She has a horse face,” Lois blurted.
    “How does that matter?” Jenna’s question was answered by silence. She prodded further, “What have you and Esther cooked up?”
    Lois looked shocked, “Cooked up?”
    “Esther is the biggest meddler...,” Jenna said.
    “Esther’s just a romantic. I don’t know that I’d call her a meddler,” Maureen offered.
    ***
    “Get over it, Jenna,” Lois answered. “You need the money.” She didn’t apologize or