Tidewater Inn Read Online Free PDF Page A

house.”
    â€œShe’s beautiful,” Libby said.
    He beamed. “We’ve only had her a month.” He took his wife’s hand. “You can take her aboard, honey, and I’ll get the supplies.”
    â€œWhat about my car?”
    â€œIt’s safe here. Just leave it in the lot. You can rent a car on the island. Pricey, but maybe you won’t need it for long,” he said.
    Libby rushed back to her car and grabbed her suitcase, then locked the vehicle and joined them at the dock. Earl helped the women aboard, and moments later the sea spray struck her arms and was dried off by the hot sun.
    She stared at the horizon. “How far to the island?”
    â€œAbout half an hour. You have business in Hope Beach?” Naomi asked.
    Libby hesitated. “My partner and I restore historical buildings and sell them. She’s been on the island investigating the idea of helping to restore the downtown area.”
    â€œThere are some beautiful old properties on the island. Many of them have fallen into disrepair, so you’ll have your work cut out for you.” Naomi tipped her head to the side. “You really do look like Vanessa Mitchell in a most astonishing way.”
    Libby managed a smile. “They say everyone has a twin somewhere in the world. Have the Mitchells been there a long time?”
    â€œOh yes. The old Tidewater Inn is the matriarch of the place. Make sure you see it. Since you are into historical buildings, I’m sure you’ll be fascinated. It’s lovely. Ray Mitchell’s dad bought it in the thirties and raised a big family there. Ray bought out his siblings after their father died and turned it into an inn. Not that there are many tourists on the island, but he hoped he could entice families who wanted a quiet getaway.”
    â€œAre his siblings still around?” Aunts, uncles, cousins. The idea tightened Libby’s chest.
    â€œJust his sister. The rest moved to the mainland.” Naomi opened the ice chest. “Water?”
    â€œSure.” Libby accepted the cold, wet bottle and uncapped it. “Is that Hope Island?” she asked when she saw a speck of land in the distance.
    â€œThat’s it,” Earl said.
    Libby almost forgot to breathe as the island neared. Why did the island appeal to her so much? She’d never been here, had she? Charming houses lined a small bay with a well-maintained dock. Most of the houses could use a coat of paint and some repair to the gutters, but the village was like something out of a painting from the eighteen hundreds.
    â€œWhere can I rent a car?” she asked.
    â€œNo need for one, really,” Earl said. “Not if you’re staying in town. You have a room?”
    â€œNot yet.” She ignored the lift of his brow. “Can you recommend a hotel?”
    â€œTidewater Inn would be your best bet. If you call them, they’ll fetch you,” Naomi said. “Stop at the general store. They’ll give you the number. We don’t have a car on the island or we’d run you out there ourselves.”
    â€œThere’s a small lot by the harbor where you can rent a car though,” Earl said. “Some people like to explore.”
    Home. The place felt like home. That was the sensation in her chest.

    The sheriff’s office felt deserted when Libby stepped onto the worn wooden floor. “Hello?” she called.
    A man in a uniform came down the hallway. He was in his late thirties with dark hair just beginning to get salty. His tanned face was good-natured. “Can I help you?”
    â€œI’d like to see the sheriff.”
    â€œThat would be me. Sheriff Tom Bourne. Come on back.” He led the way to a small office that held a battered desk and a metal filing cabinet, both overflowing with stacks of paper. He lifted a batch of files from the chair opposite the desk. “Have a seat and tell me what I can do for you.”
    She settled onto the