Tequila And Tingles: Turtle Pine, Book 2 Read Online Free

that he hated his old stomping grounds. They’d been his biggest cheer squad as his career had taken off, but opportunities were few and far between in a place so small. It was only because of a nearby town that Jason had had a chance of going somewhere with his swimming.
    Meredith eased in behind a round kitchen table. A white mug of coffee was next to a plate with a half-eaten cinnamon roll. “I know coming here isn’t what you always dreamed of.”
    Dreams. How his dreams had changed over the years. Somewhere along the way, he’d gone from the coolest job of Olympic swimmer to personal swim trainer, and now here he was—manager of Turtle Pine Community Pool. “It’s a job and that’s what I need.”
    “That’s good, because your job begins in about thirty minutes.”
    “What?” He checked his watch. “You said Monday.”
    “Check your phone every once in a while.”
    He pulled his phone off the clip and groaned at the number of messages. He’d put it on silent after meeting Beth last night, and with everything that had happened, he hadn’t thought about it. Hell, it’d taken him ten minutes to find his wallet, and he still hadn’t puzzled out how it had ended up across the room. “Sorry. That was my fault. Why am I going in today?”
    “The lifeguard that was supposed to do swim lessons quit. Your new boss called to see if you could fill in. Since you were supposed to be in last night, I told him you could. I didn’t think you’d mind giving the lessons.”
    He eyed her. As much as he loved training kids for gold, part of the reason he was here was to get away from giving lessons. He needed a break and time to clear his head. He also needed time off from bratty kids. “How old?”
    She smiled. “They’re tadpoles. I expect the oldest to be seven or so.”
    Little kids. That was different, and he had been wanting different, but he didn’t know. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea.”
    “Come on.” She leaned forward. “These kids aren’t like what you’re used to. They’re young and playful. I think you’ll have fun, and they’ll be the distraction you want.”
    “They don’t have anyone else?”
    “No one. You can’t be so jaded against teenagers that you’re willing to disappoint a bunch of little kids. They’re not monsters yet.” She stuck her lower lip out. “All ten of their little sad faces, crying when they’re told no one will teach them how to swim and they’ll have to go home. They’ll be sniffling to their parents, sobbing into their pillows tonight.”
    He shook his head. “You’re ridiculous. I’ll do it.”
    She sat back, act gone. “Good. Time to go then.”
    He stretched and pushed up from the table. “I need to get my clothes unpacked so I can find my swimsuit.”
    “Let me help.” She drank from her mug, the coffee obviously cool as she downed the last bit of it. “I have my extra bedroom all cleaned out for you.”
    “Hopefully, I can find my own place soon.” That would be dirt cheap with month-to-month rental terms. Manager of Turtle Pine Community Pool was the lowest-paying job he’d ever taken. And the month-to-month was so he could get out of here as soon as something better came up. Whenever he was ready for whatever that might be.
    She punched him in the arm as she went by. “I’m going to like having you here.”
    “You’re just saying that so I’ll kill all your spiders.”
    “Found me out.” She scrubbed the top of his head and helped him lug in his few bags. Clothes for this trip and a few prized electronics to get him through. He wasn’t moving all his things to this town. Not when he didn’t have long-term plans to stay here.
    He hadn’t managed to break that bit of news to his sister yet and had no plans to until he was leaving. Hell, at the act she’d given over those kids needing a coach, the sullen lip wouldn’t be pretend when it was time for him to go. Not after all the years she’d been begging him to come.
    She gave