Swept Away Read Online Free PDF Page A

own a mirror. Josie is my sister’s girl.”
    “You’re sure?”
    “Hell, boy, I think I know my own family.”
    “I’m sorry. I’m sure you do. It’s just…well, this is going to sound crazy, but my mom just recently told me I have a half-sister I’ve never met.”
    Murray’s laugh nearly rattled the windows. “Oh Christ, you poor kid. That’s got to put a damper on dating.”
    “It doesn’t make it any easier, that’s for sure.”
    Murray shook his head, his laugh reduced to a chuckle he seemed unable to stifle. “Damn if I couldn’t use this to my advantage, but hell, you look like a good sort, for a jarhead. I promise you, Josie ain’t your sister. She’s an only child.”
    Tucker breathed a sigh of relief. Sure, finding Madison would have been nice, but he couldn’t help but be glad as hell Josie couldn’t be her.

Chapter 4
    Tucker offered to start work that afternoon, but Murray wouldn’t consider it. Suggested Tucker do some sightseeing, maybe spend a day at the beach. Murray even suggested Josie show the new employee around the place, but she professed a headache and practically slammed her door. Tucker was almost offended, but he noticed she kept peeking from behind the lacy curtains.  He pretended not to notice.
    Murray wandered home, proclaiming it was past time to fish. Tucker unloaded his bags from his car. He’d packed clothes, laptop, and toiletries, but he never thought to bring towels, sheets, or food. Shopping was his first order of business. Unpacking his things took him all of five minutes.
    First stop was back at Ella’s. She smiled as he came in the door. “My favorite soldier is back. Murray give you a job?”
    “In a heartbeat. The guy that desperate for workers?” Tucker said as he leaned against the counter.
    “Nah, you just have the look of a lost soul, and Murray collects ‘em. Have you met his wife, Hetty? She’s the prize in his collection.”
    “No, I didn’t meet her. I think Murray said she was sick?”
    “Yeah. She’s sick most days.” Ella wiped dust from the counter with her hand.
    “Anything wrong with her?”
    “Yeah, she weighs about four hundred pounds.”
    Tucker didn’t say anything about that. He’d learned long ago not to comment when women and weight were mentioned in the same conversation. “You know where I could buy sheets and towels? Stuff for the kitchen?”
    “Closest K-Mart is back up on Kitty Hawk.”
    “You’re joking? That’s more than two hours away.”
    “Yeah, it sucks.” Ella thought a minute. “Let me call a friend. She’s head of housekeeping for a cottage cleaning company. Maybe she has some old rentals you could buy.”
    A call later and Tucker had another name and address.
    “I appreciate all the help. I hadn’t meant to stay here for long, and I sort of assumed I’d stay in a hotel.”
    Ella gave him a wink. “This place will grow on you. And I figure if you’re going to get any answers about Josie, it won’t be easy. She’s lived here for years, and I don’t think the girl has said more than ten words to me.”
    “You’re right. Murray is pretty adamant that she’s his niece.”
    Ella nodded. “That’s what he says. And it could be true. Murray does have a sister who left the island years ago, and she’s never returned. It’s just that the Banks family are all so…well, let’s just be honest. They’re ugly as a dog’s ass, but Josie is cute as a button.”
    Tucker thought of his short, pale mother and his own tall, dark frame. The other parent offered genes to the mix too. “Maybe she gets the looks from her dad?”
    “I suppose. Just can’t imagine overriding those genes so easy.”
    Tucker shrugged. “So, is this the best place to get groceries?”
    “Sure is. Just get what you want, and I’ll ring you up. I’ll even give you the resident discount.”
    Tucker loaded cans of food, bags of chips, and packages of cold cuts into his cart. He laid it all on the counter and went back for