Catch of the Year Read Online Free PDF Page A

clunky gold-link bracelet. A naughty image floated into her mind of Paul chained to a bed and she bending over him, having her way with him. Whoa Jade! But Serendipity was having waaayy too much fun to listen to Jade’s spoilsport, sober voice.
    Soon the hours had whisked by. She and Paul stood at the end of the wharf against the fence and watched the tall, white, ferry forge its way toward them across the deep cobalt waters of Lake Huron. It grew closer.
    An announcement came over the public address system. “Ferry passengers are asked to return to their vehicles immediately.”
    Paul turned away. “Guess that means us.”
    Jade nodded.
    â€œSee you on board,” he added.
    She didn’t reply but walked at his side until she reached the Harley. He climbed into the convertible.
    A smile played around her lips as she donned her leathers, but by the time the ferry-loading process began, and she mounted the bike, the elated feeling that had her blood fizzing through her veins began to fade. In its place came a shiver of panic. She’d been enjoying herself way too much. If she and Paul spent another hour together, sooner or later she’d be bound to slip up, say something that would clue him in. And then the game would be over. With consequences too horrific to contemplate.
    With a sigh of regret, she made a decision. She knew every inch of this boat, which meant she could probably dodge him during the crossing. Even if she was forced to spend all the time in the toilet, she was going to avoid the all-too-exciting company of Paul Ringo George Johnson.
    â€¢ • •
    Forty minutes later, safely docked, the ferry opened its shark-like jaws. Paul waited in his car, a mix of emotions rumbling inside him, foremost of which were disappointment and confusion. Why had Serendipity done a duck? He’d enjoyed their time together in Tobermory and had been anticipating more of the same. Then she’d disappeared.
    He couldn’t understand it.
    Ahead of him he could see the motorcycles lined up, ready to disembark first. And there among them was Ms. Elusive. He hit the horn twice. Beep beep. Serendipity looked over her shoulder and waved at him. Then with an answering beep beep , she lifted her feet up onto the footrests, revved the engine, and took off.
    Once again, she’d left him in the dust.
    â€¢ • •
    That night, Jade dreamed of princesses and knights, specifically one Paul R.G. Johnson, dragon-slayer. Gurgling sounds called her from a faraway, sleepy place. No, that wasn’t the hiss of a dragon, but the coffee machine on the boil.
    She rolled out of bed, pulled on her swimsuit, and made her way along the passage of her parents’ converted mobile home. Her mother stood in the narrow kitchen, pouring ginger tea into a glass mug. After many summers of tanning, Marigold’s skin was just about the same color and texture as Weetabix.
    â€œMorning, Marigold,” Jade began. Her mother had never wanted to be called Mom.
    Marigold took one look at Jade’s frown and reached into the cupboard for another mug. The front of the shelf was empty, as most of the mugs were in the dishwasher waiting to be washed. From the far reaches she pulled out an old one — her commemorative souvenir of the Beatles’ visit to Toronto.
    She poured coffee into the mug while Jade considered the Fab Four. As if she needed reminding.
    â€œDown by the lake?” her mother asked.
    Jade knew she didn’t expect an answer. That was where they breakfasted whenever the weather was fine, taking the time to ease gently into the day with a swim and some casual chat.
    Marigold placed both beverages on a tray with the sugar bowl and added a plate containing two whole wheat, cranberry muffins. These were her specialty. Every week she baked dozens to sell.
    On the way out Jade snagged a towel from the bathroom, then followed her mother down the steep concrete steps to the small paved