Colleen Coble Read Online Free PDF

and making good time, and the next we were upside down.” Her dark blond hair hung in wet strings down her neck.
    The sea was capricious. Curtis had heard the same story so many times over the years that he’d lost count. He leaned in so they could hear him. “Where you headed?”
    “Hope Beach.” The younger woman studied him over the rim of her cup.
    In her mid- to late twenties, she had long dark hair and eyes as deep blue as the waves she’d just been pulled from. She didn’t wear a wedding ring, which was a good thing with the flirtatious glances she was throwing his way. He’d hate to think a married woman would be so blatant. He shifted away.
    “We’ll be landing on Hope Island.” Alec pulled down the top of his wetsuit and pulled on a sweatshirt over his goose-pebbled skin.
    Her teeth still chattered. “We’re staying for a few weeks. Out at Tidewater Inn.”
    “That’s my place,” Alec said. “It’s been in my wife’s family for years.”
    She brightened and glanced at Curtis again. “That’s great! We’re here to help set up the campaign rally for Senator Kendrick.”
    “I like him,” Curtis said. “I’m hoping to meet him when he comes for the rally. It’s not often we get to participate like this in an election season.”
    The young woman tucked a strand of hair out of her eyes. “It will make for good media coverage.”
    Curtis supposed it would. The senator reaching out to the often-forgotten segment of his voter pool would be appealing to constituents. He suspected the senator hadn’t thought about it like that though. It was clear these women considered every angle. “Are you his campaign manager?” he asked the older woman.
    “Oh my, no,” she said. “Dara here is his wife, Zoe’s, best friend, and we’re just here as a favor to the family. He tries not to spend much money on campaign expenses. He’s very frugal.”
    “Too frugal sometimes,” Dara put in. “But we were glad tohelp.” She stared at Alec. “But about the inn. We’ve heard so much about it. Would you mind if we went exploring in the attic?”
    “Not at all. I’m sure Libby won’t mind.”
    Sara refilled their hot chocolate. “Lieutenant Bourne here is a new daddy. His son was born two days ago.”
    The older woman lifted a brow. “And you’re back at work already?”
    “And it’s good for you that he is,” Sara countered. “Alec is the best swimmer we have.”
    “We’re very thankful,” the woman said. “I didn’t mean to sound critical. I’m Winona Anderson, and this is my niece, Dara Anderson. Congratulations, Lieutenant. I hope we’ll get a chance to take a peek at the new arrival.”
    “I’m sure you will,” Alec said. “He’s a keeper, nearly eight pounds.”
    Curtis grinned at the pride in his friend’s voice. All babies looked alike to Curtis, and young Noah had the usual tiny red face and chubby cheeks. The night before, Alec hadn’t even wanted to hand the little guy over when he squawked to be fed. The minute Libby had returned to the living room with Noah in her arms, Alec had demanded him back, though he’d had to do battle with Libby’s siblings and his nephew. Alec was going to be a good daddy.
    The village was still talking about how Amy had delivered the baby in her cottage. Scuttlebutt said she was thinking about staying permanently, and he wished he’d flat-out asked her last night. He hoped it was only a rumor. If she stayed, Raine’s parentage was sure to come out. Not even his teammates knew who her father was. If they’d wondered, they hadn’t been crass enough to ask.
    He was sure Alec would urge him to tell Amy the full story as soon as possible, but the Lang family would want Raine, and it would be a battle to keep her. Edith meant well, but she didn’t know the family like he did. Curtis would fight to his last breath to keep Raine.

    Dressed in capris and a pink top, Amy rode her bike to downtown Hope Beach on Friday to meet Libby. The small shops