A Girl Named Summer Read Online Free PDF

her head. It was a fact that her grandfather set great store in his heritage.
    “It would be nice to be Irish
and
rich, don’t you agree?” she asked.
    “You are rich, girl. You’re healthy and belong to a caring family. What more could you ask for?”
    Summer didn’t have time to answer. They hadreached the entrance to the church. As he reached for the iron handle on the heavy wooden doors, her grandfather threw his shoulders back and straightened his spine, and then he marched into the hall with a dignified stride and headed toward the bingo cards. After he had selected the ones he wanted, Summer helped him get settled in his spot right next to John Abrams.
    There already was a crowd in front of the snack bar, and Summer hurried to help Mr. Clancy. Only when she had rounded the corner to get behind the counter through the side door did she realize that Mr. Clancy wasn’t alone. Standing right next to him was the most handsome boy Summer had ever seen.
    She blinked. He was still there. He was lifting the large coffeemaker that he’d just filled with water and didn’t see her standing in the doorway. He was tall and slender but had an athletic build. Summer couldn’t help but notice his broad shoulders as he lifted the heavy pot. Dark curly hair just brushed his collar, and his well-defined cheekbones, straight nose, and square jaw reminded her of one of those classic Greek statues she’d seen at the museum.
    For over a year she had been the only person under the age of fifty at bingo night and had every right to be surprised. Who was he? she wondered. And why hadn’t she worn her good khakis instead of these faded cutoffs? And her hair! It was in a ponytail instead of down. She looked positively gross!
    The realization that she was actually standing thereflash-frozen with her mouth wide open finally penetrated, and Summer struggled to regain some of her composure. It was easier said than done.
    “Am I late, Mr. Clancy?” Her voice sounded like a squeaky chair.
    “Not to worry, dear,” Mr. Clancy said, beaming. “Summer, I’d like you to meet Frank Marshall’s grandson, David. David, this is Summer Matthews.”
    “Nice to meet you,” Summer replied with as much dignity as she could muster. It was hard work; speech was a little difficult, for David had looked up to smile at her and he had the most startling green eyes.
He’s beautiful
, she thought,
and I look hideous
.
    “Hi,” David said.
    “You two take care of the customers while I make more coffee,” Mr. Clancy said.
    The next fifteen minutes were busy. Everyone was in a hurry to get refreshments before the first round of bingo, and Summer was relieved. She felt all tongue-tied and panicky. What would she talk about? Her mind spun with a multitude of questions she could ask him, but they all would have sounded as if she were interviewing him for the school paper…not just talking.
    Did other girls feel this awkward around boys? Summer wondered. Ann Logan would know just what to say, and be cute and coy at the same time.
    “What school do you go to?” David had solved the problem.
    Summer stopped wiping the countertop with thedishrag and turned to him. “Regis,” she all but blurted. She lowered her voice so she wouldn’t interfere with the bingo calling and continued. “Where do you go?”
    “Chalmers,” David answered. Summer was impressed. Chalmers was a boys’ prep school. No wonder she had never seen him before. “I’ll be a senior in the fall. What about you?”
    “Lowly sophomore,” Summer replied with a grin. She hoped her dimple showed when she smiled. Regina had often said it was one of her best features. “We might as well sit down over there and wait for intermission,” she added, and gestured to the small card table set up against the back wall.
    Neither said a word until they were facing each other across the table. Summer was still nervous; the palms of her hands were actually sweating, and she fervently prayed that