Tangerine Morning: Jezzica's Story (Serenity Cove Series) Read Online Free PDF

thing she’d accomplished by moving to Serenity Cove was relocating—the anguish of her past had loaded up and come along for the ride.
    Zack began helping her. They worked side by side, both engrossed in their own thoughts. Finally, he broke the unspoken agreement of silence. “It’s not much. But I’m sorry the system failed you.”
    “Me, too.” She swiped the back of her hand across her brow. “Samantha says there’s a place that recycles books in Mariner Bay.”
    “I’ll call Nancy at the library and see if she knows where.” He pulled his phone from the clip on his belt. Pulling a card from his pocket, he jotted down notes. He thanked the person and thumbed the OFF button. “Call this—better yet, I’ll deliver them for you.”
    “There’s no need for—”
    “Maybe we can work out a truce.” He interrupted her and smiled into her eyes.
    “You could change your profession.” She chuckled to let him know she was teasing. Maybe he should consider it.
    Catylen returned, handing them each a drink. “Mission accomplished. What do you want me to do now?”
    “Let’s start clearing out and discarding as much junk as possible. Tomorrow, we need to scrub walls and get ready for the painters.”
    Zack came in with a small dolly for another load of boxes. “When are you planning to open?”
    “I’d like to have the official grand opening mid-June. My first shipment of books arrives next week. I’ll put them in Maggie’s storeroom if the painting isn’t finished.”
    The sisters made several trips to the dumpster, with stuff destroyed by smoke from the big fire the previous year. They came to the rug in the children’s center. “You think it’s salvageable?” Catylen ran her hand across the nap, her hands quickly coating with a layer of charcoal dust.
    The rug held childhood memories. Jezzica bent down, examining the jungle animals under swaying palm trees that worked their way around the border of the hand-woven rug . It brought back reminders of a happier time—something she sorely needed. “ I would love to keep it. Maggie might know if the smoke could be cleaned out of it. When Zack’s finished, we’ll go over and ask her. I can’t wait to introduce you to her.” Jezzica went through the shop and out the back way, where she had seen Zack take the last few boxes.
    She laughed at the sight of Zack standing there, his arms filled with an orange tabby. “Where did she come from?”
    “It’s a he, and he’s been sniffing and meowing around the truck each time I’ve brought a load out. He’s awfully thin.”
    “I’ll take him in and put a sign in the shop window.” She took the fluffy cat and smiled as Zack finished strapping the containers onto his truck.
    “That should do it.” Dust flew as he slapped his cap against his knee. “I’m taking off so I can drop these off before the place closes.” He reached over and rubbed the cat’s head. “I think your shop has a new mascot.”
    “Don’t think so.” She held her breath as his soft blue eyes sent jitters through her veins. “Thanks for your help.” She hugged the furry animal closer to her. “About the way I treated you, I’m sorry. You’re not responsible for the incompetence of the whole detective organization.”
    “I’d like to believe the whole system isn’t ineffectual.” He smiled and gave her a quick hug, and brushed his fingers through the cat’s fur again.
    Falling prey to her impulsive nature, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Thanks again.” Okay, that was multi-layers of dumb.
    “If you need anything, you know where to find me. Two cottages down.” He slid into the cab of his truck. She watched the brake lights as he stopped before making a left out of the alleyway.
    Still hugging the orange cat, Jezzica headed back to where her sister had assembled another load for the dumpster. Catylen’s eyes lit with a giggle. “Where did your new friend come from? Look at his little short