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

protested.
    Annette sighed and shook her head. “All's fair in love and war—haven't you heard that before, either?"
    “Yes, I've heard it,” Marsha retorted in a rare moment of irritability. “Sometimes, Annette, I think you keep a file of all these sayings so you can drag out whatever one happens to apply to a situation so you can justify what you're doing."
    For a minute Annette just stared at her, a little dumbfounded. Finally she said, “You are my sister, Marsha, and I love you dearly. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you.” She paused and gave a baffled shake of her head. “But sometimes it's hard for me to believe that anyone so incredibly naive could be related to me. Marsha, you are really priceless at times."
    Marsha drew back to eye her sister in confusion. “Why?"
    “Because you are sitting here lecturing me about chasing men—as if I have a long history of pursuing them. Have you ever known me to do it before?” Annette questioned.
    “No,” she admitted with a lame shrug. Annette had always been popular with boys. Marsha couldn't recall a single time when her sister had stayed home for the lack of a date, but neither could she remember Annette's actively seeking a boy out.
    “Doesn't that convince you that Josh is a special case?” Annette reasoned.
    “I guess so.” Marsha found herself agreeing and silently marveled at her sister's knack of twisting people around to her way of thinking. She was incredibly persuasive.
    “Then, instead of being so negative, why don't you come up with some constructive suggestions?” Annette appealed for her help. “Girls are always accidentally-on-purpose turning up where the boys are. I haven't had much luck lately at the swimming pool or the jogging path, so I'd really appreciate some new ideas."
    Marsha thought for a minute, then offered, “What about where he works? Does he have an office somewhere?"
    “He not only has an office, he has an entire office building,” Annette informed her with an expression of futility. “I made a couple of discreet inquiries and got the address from the hotel operator. Yesterday morning I hired a taxi and went by it. That's why I was late meeting you guys,” she explained.
    “And?” Marsha prompted.
    “And the building sits there all by itself, practically,” Annette sighed. “There isn't a single shop or store within three blocks of it. I wouldn't have a believable excuse for being there. It isn't a place you just ‘happened by.’”
    “It doesn't sound like it,” She murmured. “If we eliminate the office, what else is there? We know he jogs and swims. What about other hobbies or sports?"
    Annette brightened at the question and nibbled at her lip. “I think you're on the right track,” she murmured.
    “Maybe he plays golf,” Marsha suggested. “There's a course adjacent to the hotel."
    “He probably does. The problem is, I don't,” she said with a rueful smile. “And I'm not about to volunteer to caddy for him.” She snapped her fingers. “I've got it! The tennis courts here at the hotel! Josh is bound to play!"
    She bounded out of the chair, mindless of her aching heel, and rushed over with one shoe off and one shoe on to hug her sister. “If it hadn't been for you, I might not have thought of it. Thanks!"
    “How does that help?” Marsha didn't understand and frowned at Annette as she hobbled away from her. “You can't spend all your time hanging around the tennis courts waiting for him to show up."
    Midway to the bathroom and its shower, Annette halted to explain, “That's the best part. I don't have to hang around the tennis courts. Anybody who wants to play has to reserve the use of the court. All I have to do is get a peek at the reservation list and I'll know the exact day and time Josh will be there."
    It sounded simple, but Marsha knew better. “And just how do you intend to get a look at that reservation list?"
    “If you get dressed while I shower, you can come with me and