Books Can Be Deceiving Read Online Free PDF Page B

supposed a bestselling children’s picture-book author didn’t have to do much hard labor, but she would have thought maintaining his boat, the one that brought him to shore to see Beth, would have given him at least a hint of a sailor’s build. But no.
    Eva stopped by their table and took Rick’s order. He was one of those “on the side” types. He wanted his salad with dressing on the side and a baked potato with butter on the side. When his meal arrived, he tucked into his steak, after sending it back once because it was too rare, and proceeded to chew with his mouth open, while Lindsey and Beth discussed some ideas for the crafternoon club.
    Mary poked her head out of the kitchen, and when she saw them, she hurried over to their table.
    “How is everything?” she asked.
    Before Beth and Lindsey could assure her that it was excellent, Rick spoke through a mouthful of potatoes. “You’re too skimpy with the butter, and I had to send my steak back.”
    “I’m sorry to hear that,” Mary said. Her voice was polite, but Lindsey was pretty sure she heard the sharp edge of a knife buried in it.
    “You might want to comp my meal, since I was so inconvenienced,” he said. “After all, I am a local celebrity.”
    Lindsey felt her mouth pop open. The sheer nerve of this guy bowled her over. Beth looked dismayed and embarrassed, but Mary just tipped her head and considered him with a small smile.
    “No, I don’t think so,” she said.
    “Good evening, everyone.”
    They turned as one to see Carole Towles standing by their table. She was dressed in an elegant olive-green silk suit, with her strawberry-blonde hair in an updo. Diamonds flashed at her ears as well as her wrists, and Lindsey would have bet a week’s salary that Carole had better plans than all of them for the evening.
    Still, Lindsey smiled. Carole was on the library board and always had such a positive outlook. As a former public librarian herself, Carole had become a mentor to Lindsey, and her knowledge had proven invaluable.
    “I just wanted to thank you for making Mr. Bingley’s favorite chicken dish,” Carole said to Mary. “I’m going to the theater tonight, and I know this will cheer him up while I’m gone.”
    “Anything for Mr. Bingley,” Mary said.
    Mr. Bingley was Carole’s Chihuahua. She had rescued him as a puppy, and he was quite the favorite in town, as he had a disposition as sunny as his owner’s.
    “Oh, you’re sweet,” Carole said. “Now, Beth, I wanted to let you know that I met a woman today at Tilly’s Salon who is spending the weekend at the Beachfront. We were both getting manicures.” Carole paused to study the polish on her fingernails. “I think I like the color she got on hers better.”
    “And?” Lindsey encouraged her.
    “Oh, yes.” Carole glanced back up. “She’s an editor with Caterpillar Press, so I told her about you and the book you’ve been working on. She was very eager to meet you once I mentioned that her boss is a dear friend of mine from my days at the American Library Association. Isn’t that fabulous?”
    Mary and Lindsey turned to look at Beth, who stared at Carole with an expression that seemed to be equal parts terror and excitement.
    “Oh no, look at the time,” Carole said with a quick glance at her watch. “I’ve got to run or I’ll be late. I told her, her name is Sydney Carlisle, that you’d meet her here for lunch at noon tomorrow. I hope that’s all right?”
    Beth looked frozen, so Lindsey answered for her. “It’s perfect. She’ll be here and thank you so much.”
    “My pleasure,” Carole said. “Let me know how it goes!”
    With a flash of dimples and a wave, she hurried out the door.
    Rick’s head jerked back and a piece of steak fell from his mouth onto his plate with a splat. “She’s having you meet Sydney from Caterpillar Press? But she’s my editor.”
    “Is she?” Beth asked. “I thought the name sounded familiar.”
    “Why on earth would she do