Coffee Sonata Read Online Free PDF

nice.”
    As they walked toward the dunes, Mike realized that though she didn’t know Vivian, she very much wanted to.

    *

    Vivian unleashed the dogs before she climbed the stairs. Seeing how they had taken to Mike, she smiled. Their reaction was a good omen, since Mike was her first private houseguest, a nerve-wracking prospect. Even though she had entertained her colleagues for years in the opera world, that had been business. But to have a young woman over for an impromptu visit felt more daunting than even her upcoming performance.
    Vivian gestured for Mike to sit down on the patio before she hurried into the house and grabbed a pitcher of orange juice from the fridge. She placed it and a couple of glasses on a silver tray, took a deep breath as she picked it up, bit the tip of her tongue for balance, and carried it out to the patio, hoping she wouldn’t trip or spill anything. Successful, she placed the tray on the cast-iron table. “Here we go.”
    “Thanks.” Mike was still patting the dogs. “Perry, Mason, down.”
    Vivian stared as her boys obediently lay at Mike’s feet and gazed up at her, as if eager for her praise.
    “Good dogs.” Mike’s words were met with adoring looks and wagging tails. “I’m glad you haven’t had their ears cropped or their tails docked.”
    “Yes,” Vivian said, her heart warming at this observation. “Personally, I find it unnecessary and unnatural to subject any pet to that kind of treatment.”
    “I know what you mean. You mentioned they’re brothers. They look alike.”
    “Yes, some people warned me they might become hostile toward each other when they matured, but after six years they still only play.”
    “Best friends, huh, boys?” Mike ruffled the dogs’ ears. “They’re great.”
    Vivian sipped her juice and motioned for Mike to accept the other glass. She studied Mike—black hair, milky white complexion, and the darkest blue eyes she had ever seen.Tall, at least six feet, and slim, Mike appeared fragile, but the way she jogged suggested strength beneath her smooth skin.
    She recognized an unexpected attraction, which was both puzzling and unwelcome. Granted, she’d been acting out of character lately, and with good reason, but she certainly didn’t have time for any mysterious feelings. This called for casual conversation. “So, Mike, did you grow up here?”
    “I lived on the other side of town most of my life. Was raised south of East Quay, in the outskirts four bus stops from the depot. Now they’ve built a whole new community there, kind of like a suburb, though it’s silly to think of a town this size having one.”
    “Unless you consider the tourist season with all the summer guests.”
    “True. Everyone and their dog are here then.” Mike winked at Vivian. “Present company excluded, of course.”
    “Of course.” Vivian hoped her smile didn’t look as forced as it felt. Maintaining a relaxed façade was more difficult than she’d anticipated. “I know exactly where you’re talking about. I grew up not far from there, a bit closer to town, on Delivery Street, and couldn’t get away fast enough. I hated it with a passion. It was so run down and depressing…” She grimaced. “I guess that’s why—”
    “What?”
    “I’m shocked that coming back to East Quay is comforting. Like home, you know? It’s odd, because I don’t know anyone here anymore, except my manager and Manon Belmont.”
    “You’re not exactly back in the sticks, are you?” Mike cocked her head and glanced around, gesturing at the luxurious interior. “This is definitely the more upscale part of East Quay.”
    “Like I said, it isn’t mine.”
    “But surely you make more than your manager.” Mike pursed her lips. “If you don’t, you must be gullible or doing something else wrong.”
    Vivian tossed her head back and laughed aloud. “God, how true. This isn’t a small apartment above a hardware store, that’s for sure. Returning to ‘the right side