The Posse Read Online Free

Matt imagined he could see his eyes flick to the
door to the Riptide and then back to Matt himself. He raised one
hand in a quick wave and then looked back at the yellow house.
    The relief Matt had felt
moments before dimmed just a bit before he stalked back to the surf
shop.
    ***
     

 
     

     
    Hiring Emmy Carter to cover Friday and
Saturday nights at the Tide had been one of Jude’s more ingenious
decisions. She realized that every week when Emmy strode through
the door and took charge. 
    Emmy was in her
mid-thirties. She was a local girl who had married a pro surfer
when she was barely out of her teens. Ten years and three kids
later, he left her to move to Hawaii, where the waves were bigger
and life was easier. Emmy could’ve moved back with her parents, but
instead she started her own business, baking pies out of her
kitchen.
    Jude was always eager to
support local businesses, so it was a no-brainer to buy a few of
the pies for her lunch crowd. One day Emmy delivered three peach
pies on a late Friday afternoon, when the dinner rush was just
getting underway. She stood for a moment in the door, watching Jude
hustle as she shouted orders over the talk and music.
    The next day, she showed up
during the afternoon lull, marched straight to the bar and leveled
a determined gaze at Jude.
    “You open this place up at
six AM. And how many nights do you close before midnight?”
    Jude raised an eyebrow. “We
close at five in the afternoon except on Fridays and
Saturdays.”
    “Okay.” Emmy nodded. “So
those two nights you close when?”
    Jude shrugged. “Usually
after one in season. Not as late during off.”
    “I have a proposal. Hire me
to cover your night hours.”
    “I must have forgotten
putting the help wanted sign on the window,” Jude said. “I’ve never
had anyone managing here on a permanent basis except me. Why should
I change now?”
    Emmy set her chin. “Because
you deserve a break now and then. Because your kids are getting to
the age where they need you around on weekends.” She took a deep
breath. “Because I need a little extra income while I’m getting
this business up and running.”
    Jude held her eyes. “All
good points. I’ll think about it.”
    And she did. But giving up
any control of the Tide was a hard thing. It was Daniel who gave
her the final push.
    “It would be nice to go away
for a weekend or even just over night once in a while. Plus, you
know you want to help out Emmy. Give it a try. If it doesn’t work,
no harm done.”
    Far from it. Emmy had taken
the job and run with it. She added dinner specials, brought in
local bands to play and streamlined their processes. From five to
eight, The Tide was still a family friendly spot with kids-eat-free
meals. But after eight, the lights dimmed, the music went up and
The Riptide became one of the hottest restaurants on the beach.
    Emmy’s innovations brought
in enough revenue to more than cover her salary, and Jude never
looked back.
    Now she watched her
night-time manager weave her way to the bar, a bright smile on her
face. Emmy’s red hair was up in a messy bun, and she wore her usual
green t-shirt and jeans.
    “Get going, boss-lady.” She
bumped her shoulder against Jude’s. “You’ve got a quiet house and
hours of downtime. Go watch some Burn Notice or Buffy . You know I live vicariously through you.”
    “Ha.” Jude pulled her
handbag out from under the counter. “Sure you do. Actually I’m
going out to dinner with Matt tonight, so no quiet for me.”
    “Matt?” Emmy’s brows shot
up. “Really?” She dragged out the word.
    “Yes, really.” Jude shook
her head. “Emmy, I’ve known Matt Spencer for more years than you’ve
been alive, probably. He and the rest of the posse are just keeping
their eyes on me. He knew Meggie and Joseph went back to school
today, so he’s trying to keep me from being lonely.”
    “Hmm.” Emmy’s skepticism
wasn’t hard to detect. “Whatever you say, Miss Jude.” She