Dance Upon the Air Read Online Free PDF

from the tray.
    He had broad shoulders and good arms. His shirt was rolled up at the sleeves and faded from sun andwater. The hand that curled around the coffee cup was big and wide. She tended to trust big hands on a man. It was the slender, manicured ones that could strike so lethally.
    â€œJust one?” she said as she bagged his muffin.
    â€œOne’ll do me for now. Word is you just got to the island yesterday.”
    â€œGood timing for me.” She rang up his order, pleased when he opened the bag and sniffed.
    â€œGood timing all around if this tastes as good as it smells. Where’d you come in from?”
    â€œBoston.”
    He cocked his head. “Doesn’t sound like Boston. Your accent,” he explained when she simply stared at him.
    â€œOh.” She took his money with a steady hand, made change. “Not originally. A little town in the Midwest—outside of Columbus. I moved around a lot, though.” Her smile stayed in place as she handed him his change and receipt. “I guess that’s why I don’t sound like I’m from anywhere in particular.”
    â€œGuess so.”
    â€œHey, Sheriff.”
    Zack glanced over his shoulder, nodded. “Morning, Miz Macey.”
    â€œYou get ’round to talking to Pete Stahr about that dog of his?”
    â€œHeading that way now.”
    â€œDog as soon roll in dead fish as he would in roses. Then what’s he do but run right through my hanging wash. Had to do the lot of it again. I like dogs same as the next.”
    â€œYes, ma’am.”
    â€œBut Pete’s got to keep that hound on a leash.”
    â€œI’ll have a word with him this morning. You ought to get yourself one of these muffins, Miz Macey.”
    â€œI just came in for a book.” But she looked at the display, her lips pursing in her wide face. “Do look tasty, don’t they? You’d be the new girl.”
    â€œYes.” Nell’s throat was raw and hot. She feared her voice sounded the same. “I’m Nell. Can I get you anything?”
    â€œMaybe I’ll just have a sit-down with a cup of tea and one of those tarts. I’ve got a weak spot for a good fruit tart. None of those fancy teas, mind. Give me good orange pekoe. You tell that Pete to keep his dog out of my wash,” she added to Zack. “Else he’ll be doing my laundry.”
    â€œYes, ma’am.” He smiled at Nell again, kept his eyes on her face deliberately as he’d noted how quickly it had paled when Gladys Macey had called him sheriff. “Nice meeting you, Nell.”
    She gave him a little nod. Kept her hands busy, he noticed, but not quite steady.
    Just what, he wondered, would a pretty young woman like that have to fear from the law? Then again, he thought as he walked downstairs, some people were just naturally skittish when it came to cops.
    He scanned the main level, spotted Mia stocking shelves in the mystery section. Either way, Zack decided, it wouldn’t hurt to ask a few casual questions.
    â€œBusy in here today.”
    â€œMmm.” She slid paperbacks into slots without looking around. “I expect it to get busier. Season’s just underway, and I have my new secret weapon in the café.”
    â€œJust met her. You’re renting her the yellow cottage.”
    â€œThat’s right.”
    â€œYou check her employment record, references?”
    â€œNow, Zack.” Mia did turn now. In her heels she was nearly eye to eye with him, and she gave his cheek a sassy pat. “We’ve been friends a long time. Long enough for me to tell you to mind your own business. I don’t want you going up to my café and interrogating my staff.”
    â€œOkay, I’ll just haul her down to the station house and get out my rubber hose.”
    She chuckled, then leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek. “You brute. Don’t worry about Nell. She isn’t looking for