That Carolina Summer (North Carolina) Read Online Free PDF Page A

coffee shop for breakfast. Do you want to join us?"
    Annette was tempted to accept the invitation, but she knew they didn't have many chances to be alone. “I think I'll change first."
    “We're going to Orton Plantation later on this morning, so wear your walking shoes,” her father warned.
    “I will,” she promised with a smile, and started off for the room she shared with her sister.
    The door was standing open when she reached the room. Robby was sitting patiently on an unmade bed while Marsha knelt to tie his shoes.
    “H'lo, Annette,” he greeted her loudly when she entered the room.
    “Good morning,” Annette replied.
    Marsha glanced at her and observed, “You're smiling like the Cheshire cat."
    “Is that a complaint or a compliment?” Annette laughed.
    “I just don't understand how you get away with some of the things you do,” her sister replied, and set Robby on the floor.
    “What does Annette get away with?” he wanted to know.
    “Nothing that your ears need to hear about,” Marsha retorted, then turned her attention back to Annette. “I guess your mission was accomplished. You ran into him?"
    “I practically fell at his feet—literally.” She made an exaggerated show of limping across the room, favoring her ankle.
    “You didn't fake a sprained ankle,” Marsha accused.
    “No, just a little twist, but it got me a cup of coffee,” Annette declared with twinkling triumph.
    “Have you ever given any thought to what will happen when he finds out about your little tricks?” Marsha shook her head in disapproval.
    “When who finds out?” Robby twisted his head back to look up at his sister. “Daddy?"
    “No, pet,” Annette assured him. “Marsha and I are talking about someone else. Personally I can hardly wait for the day that he finds out the truth."
    Marsha frowned. “Why?” She knew her sister too well to trust Annette in her present impish mood.
    “Because he's convinced I'm seventeen.” Annette grinned.
    “Did you tell him that?” Marsha squeaked, and stared at the childish pigtails. “Is that why you're wearing your hair like that?"
    “I didn't tell him I was seventeen,” Annette said. “He guessed that's how old I was."
    “Why didn't you tell him the truth?"
    “Because he wouldn't have believed me, so I didn't try to convince him differently,” Annette shrugged.
    “So who is going to tell him?” Marsha asked, then recoiled. “I told you I didn't want to become involved in this."
    “I remember.” Annette sauntered to the closet to choose her clothes for the day.
    “Please don't forget it.” It went against Marsha's nature to stay upset for long. She disliked arguments or anything that remotely resembled a battle of words. Her tone became placating. “Robby and I haven't had breakfast yet. Would you like us to wait for you while you change?"
    “Will the restaurant have my favorite cereal?” Robby asked. “That's what I want this morning."
    “It'll only take me a few minutes to change. Why don't I meet you at the coffee shop?” Annette suggested, because it was apparent her little brother was becoming impatient.
    “Let's do that, Marsha,” he urged.
    “Okay. We'll see you there,” she told Annette, and took Robby's hand.
    “Close the door on your way out,” Annette called as she slipped a pair of white slacks off a hanger.
     

 
    Chapter Three
     
    THE LOCK DEFIED ANNETTE'S ATTEMPTS to turn the key she'd inserted in it. Hot, tired and impatient, she jiggled it angrily and tugged at the doorknob. Strands of sun-blond hair had escaped the confining elastic bands securing her pigtails. Perspiration plastered them against her neck and made the tank top to her jogging suit stick to her back.
    When the lock resisted another attempt, Annette hit the hotel-room door with the flat of her hand in a fit of pique. She would have kicked it if her right foot didn't hurt so much from the blister on its heel. Her irritable mood was caused by more than just heat and