Dream Chaser Read Online Free PDF Page A

can do that. Dad isn’t here to say no .”
    She had smiled at her son, brushing an unruly lock of his dark hair out of his brown eyes , just like his maternal grandfather . H e had always been more like her … in loo ks and in how he treated others: gentler, more giv ing. “Yes, I guess you’re right, both of you. All right. I’ll go.”
    Suzanna put do wn her pen and stood up again. Time for me to find out who I am again . She ripped the list from the pad of paper, folded it then tucked it into her purse with a sigh. It was time to dress for dinner.
     
    Suzanna entered the bar. She saw Hal, one of her tablemates. He was talking with the bartender when she walked up to him , wearing the dark evening dress Penny had picked out for her, saying she looked good in it, slimmer. The d angly earrings she’d selected made her feel adventurous . Hal winked at her and she smiled back.
    “You make me look good, Suzanna,” he boomed and he leaned over to deposit a sloppy kiss on her cheek. “What would you like to drink before dinner?”
    She allowed him to escort her to a table in the darkened bar. Nearby, a couple were locked in an embrace . Honeymooners, she assumed .
    “Didn’t you say you were here post-funeral?” One of Hal’s oversized paw s covered her hand when she glanc ed at him .
    Without waiting for a reply, he added, “ So I guess this is your chance to jump into the dating scene again, right?”
    “I’m out of practice for that sort of thing, Hal.”
    “Well, how about I introduce you to it?” He leaned forward as if to kiss her. She started to move out of reach .
    “I’m not quite ready for that.”
    But he seemed not to hear her and pulled her into a boozy embrace b efore she could escape, planting a too-wet kiss on her mouth. She tried to smile at him, wondering what to say next, and wa s relieved when their dinner sea ting was announced.
    “Come on, girl . They’re calling our table. It’s time to sit with the Cap’n of this tub.” Together, they walked into the dining room.
    Three othe r couples were seated with the c aptain, who engaged them in pleasan t conversation through dinner. When the small combo began to play, the c aptain leaned toward Suzanna. “Would you care to dance?”
    “I haven’t done much of that for more years than I want to count. I’d hate to kick you in the ankle or ruin that shine on your shoes.”
    He pulled her seat out for her. “Humor me. I was thinking more in terms of a casual stroll than a fast fox- trot.”
    She let him lead her onto the dance floor, pleased that he had asked her to dance , toying with the thought that he might think she was attractive, wondering how her dinner partner felt about her dancing with the dignified officer in his white uniform . But Hal was laughing with a group of men at a nearby table .
    Her thoughts were interrupted when the captain said , “Got to keep up appearances, you know. My passengers are supposed to be happy with me—and having a good time. If you look unhappy, you’ll ruin my reputation.”
    You care about appearances? Are you another Brad? “Your reputation is safe with me.” She sighed, and tried to concentrate on the music, willing it to soothe her hurt feelings. They danced the rest of the number in silence. He thanked her and approached another woman for the next dance. Suzanna resumed her seat. While she sipped the remains of her ice water, she looked up when she heard Hal’s booming voice. Thinking he was going to ask her to dance, she p ushed back her chair and p r epared to rise from the table. But i nstead of approaching her, he helped another woman out of her chair and took her in his arms.
    “Didn’t you say you were getting over your divorce, Hannah ? H ow about I introduce you to the dating scene?” They moved onto the dance floor.
    So much for H al, the bad kisser with the pot belly. Minutes later, Suzanna said her good byes to the other couples at the table. She wandered onto the deck,