Carousel Seas Read Online Free PDF

before,” I said. Tony Lee’s fed all the Fun Country greenies, and Anna knew each one by name, knew the names of their hometowns, and their siblings. Knew what they cared about, dreamed about, and what scared them. People talk to Anna, that’s all. They can’t help themselves.
    “I have heard this story,” she agreed, “and it’s troubled me in the past. I talked with Katrina about it. She told me that they’re not cheated, and she praised Samuil’s diligence in taking care of them, and making certain that their contracts aren’t breached.” She paused.
    “I thought that Katrina might be—getting special treatment, so I talked to Sergei, too. He tells essentially the same story.”
    Anna produced a smile.
    “Katrina has been with the program for the last five years; she told me that this year she is Samuil’s assistant. There’s increased responsibility, but also an increase in her rate of pay. She’s very pleased.”
    “So you’re saying that it’s a cultural thing,” I said slowly. “That as long as the . . . arrangements are within bounds, what’s to complain?”
    “That seems to be it,” Anna agreed. “Does Vassily feel otherwise?”
    “Vassily seems to feel that Samuil will safeguard his interests and his money, and that he’ll get paid when he gets home.” I made owl eyes at her. “After the agency gets its fee.”
    She laughed.
    “I think that the agency’s fee might get smaller every consecutive year, but that’s speculation,” she said. “What I do know—what we’ve both seen—is that they tend to be hungry when they get to us.”
    “They do,” I agreed, thinking of Vassily adding enough sugar to his coffee to make rock candy. “Well. I guess I won’t meddle, then.”
    Anna nodded, and got up to check her cooking. I finished my egg roll and the last of my coffee.
    “You need anything in town or around?” I asked, as I stood up and deposited plate and cup in the trash can. “Today’s my errand and grocery day.”
    Anna threw me a smile over her shoulder.
    “That’s very kind, Kate, but I don’t think we need anything right now.”
    “Right, then,” I said, moving toward the back door. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    “Take care—and give my love to Andre. You two are going to be so good for each other.”
    I turned to look at her, but she had her back to me, her attention on egg rolls.
    News travels fast in a small town.
    I slipped out into the service alley, closing the door behind me and making sure the latch caught.
    Fountain Circle was crazy with people, the circle drive itself packed with pedestrians. Summer cops on bikes wove around and between the happy vacationers, and the air rang with talk and laughter.
    I smiled in spite of the racket and the press of bodies. It was a good crowd. If arrivals kept up at this rate, we’d be standing room only by the Fourth.
    My cell phone vibrated vigorously in the pocket of my jeans. I dodged a family group—mom, dad, and three kids from about fourteen down to rides-on-dad’s-shoulder.
    “Hello?”
    “Kate,” Borgan’s voice sounded in my ear. I’m embarrassed to say how much pleasure it gave me to hear him.
    “Hey, there, Andre—Anna sends her love.”
    “That’s a gift worth having,” he said comfortably. “Tell her I’ll treasure it.”
    “I would, but she’s up to her elbows in egg rolls and I’m wading through the gridlock in Fountain Circle.”
    “Tell ’er myself, then, next time I’m by. You free for dinner tonight? We never did get to the Italian place up on Route 1. Way the town’s filling up, I’m thinking this evening’s our last best chance ’til fall.”
    I smiled.
    “It sounds great. This time,” I promised, “I’ll remember.”
    “I’d appreciate it, though you forgetting turned out all right.”
    “ All right? ” I demanded, since my forgetting our previous date to dine at the Italian place on Route 1 had led directly to the first time Borgan and I had made love.
    “Well,