That Carolina Summer (North Carolina) Read Online Free Page A

serve us outside on the patio if you'd like to sit there."
    “That would be nice,” Annette agreed to the suggestion, warmly conscious of his fingers touching the bare skin of her shoulders.
    “Where's your home?” Josh asked, and guided her around the pool to the umbrella-shaded tables outside the coffee shop.
    “Delaware, just outside Dover.” Her skin felt cool when he took his hand away to pull out a wrought-iron chair for her to sit on.
    “That's up the coast a few miles,” he remarked, waiting until she was seated before he sat down, his long legs nearly touching hers. “Is this your first trip to North Carolina?"
    “Yes. We flew in a couple of days ago. So far we haven't done much sight-seeing, but we have a whole month.” Annette disliked his questions. They were too simple—too polite. She wouldn't get anywhere this way.
    “We?” Josh inquired blandly.
    “My family—my dad, my stepmother, Kathleen, my sister, Marsha, my little brother, Rob, and myself.” Annette knew it made her seem even younger to be vacationing with her family. She took impish glee in naming them all. “Where's your home?"
    “Here. I'm a native Tar Heel.” Josh looked up as Annette heard a set of footsteps approach the table. She glanced over her shoulder and recognized the blond-haired waiter walking toward their table. It was Craig, the one who had flirted with her at the pool the previous afternoon. He appeared startled to see her, whether because she was with Josh Lord or because of her juvenile hairstyle, Annette couldn't tell.
    “Hello, Craig.” She greeted him with a good deal more familiarity than their short acquaintanceship warranted. “You must have the early shift today."
    “I do,” he admitted, and darted a curious glance at Josh, whose gaze had narrowed slightly. “Did you want something?"
    “Yes, I'll have a cup of black coffee,” Annette ordered, and looked all innocent-eyed at Josh.
    “The same,” he echoed.
    “Two black coffees coming right up,” Craig nodded, then backed away. He seemed a little uneasy under Josh's narrow regard.
    When the waiter had gone Annette was subjected to his silent scrutiny. “Do you know him?” he inquired.
    “Do you mean Craig?” she asked unnecessarily, then shrugged. “I met him yesterday at the pool."
    The line of his mouth slanted in amusement. “You were busy yesterday at the pool, weren't you?"
    She gave him a blank look. “What do you mean?” Then she pretended to realize. “Oh, because I met you there, too. I guess my sister, Marsha, is the shy one in our family."
    “It wouldn't hurt to be cautious,” Josh stated. “I wouldn't get too friendly with Craig if I were you.” But Annette wasn't sure whether he was really warning her away from Craig or himself.
    “Why not?” She cocked her head to one side. It was very hard for her to keep a straight face.
    “He runs with a pretty fast crowd,” he replied. “And you're a little young to be getting involved with college-aged boys."
    “Oh.” Annette had to lower her chin to keep her smile from showing. It was extremely difficult not to inform him that she would be a junior when she entered college that autumn. But she simply couldn't resist asking him, “How old do you think I am, Josh?"
    There was a slight hesitation before he said, “Seventeen.” He even sounded skeptical about that.
    “Really?” She faked a disappointed look.
    “Yes.” He didn't succeed too well at hiding his smile at her response. “Why?"
    “I thought I looked older,” Annette shrugged. “At least twenty."
    “Don't rush it,” Josh advised, his mouth twisting wryly. “You'll get there soon enough."
    “Yes, I guess I will.” A lot sooner than you think, she added to herself.
    Craig came back, carrying two mugs of coffee.
    “Put it on my tab,” Josh instructed to dismiss him.
    “But it was supposed to be my treat,” Annette protested as Craig slipped away, unwilling to wait around while she argued with the owner.