Up to the Challenge (An Anchor Island Novel) Read Online Free PDF Page B

fired back.
    In fact, arguing with Sid gave him the same rush as entering a courtroom. Both required a clear head andquick thinking. Both made him feel more alive. From what he’d seen so far, Sid would prove a formidable opponent.
    “Jack and Coke, two sweet teas, and a Bud for table twelve. I got any appetizers up yet?” Sid asked, eyes on the stack of tickets in her hand. “Table ten is getting antsy.”
    “Nothing on the window right now,” he replied.
    Coffee-colored eyes met his. “You holding this shit up to mess with my tips?”
    “Darling,” he said, lifting his jar from under the counter. “As you can see, I don’t need to cheat to win this little challenge.”
    “What I see is a lawyer talking out his ass,” she mumbled, loud enough for him to hear but not the customer four stools down. “I’ll expect those drinks and the appetizers ready when I come back.” Sid grabbed a pitcher of tea and returned to the floor.
    Talking out his ass. If she wasn’t careful he’d make her wear the drinks when she came back.
    “So you’re the other Dempsey brother.” Lucas turned toward the feminine voice carrying a hint of New England. “Not quite what I expected.”
    He didn’t know what the slim brunette expected, but she didn’t sound disappointed. He took that as a good sign. Extending a hand, he said, “Lucas Dempsey. And you are?”
    “Will,” she replied, tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear as she slid her tall frame onto a bar stool.
    “Not the name I’d expect with a face like that.” He leaned onto the bar, ignoring the half-filled glass of tea he’d been pouring. “Tell me that’s not short for Wilhelmina.”
    The woman gave a low chuckle and leaned in herself, bangle bracelets tapping mahogany. “Short for Willow. Noone told me you were the charmer in the family. But then compared to Joe, a honey badger would seem charming.”
    A negative opinion of his brother. He liked her already. “Someone had to redeem the family name. What can I get you, Willow?”
    “I’m headed to my next job, but I have time for a soda. Tom always adds a shot of cherry.” She shifted on the bar stool. “Can you do that for me?”
    “One cherry soda for the pretty lady.” He was reaching for a glass when Sid slapped her tray on the bar.
    “Where are my drinks?”
    “You’ll have them in a second. I’m helping a customer here.” Lucas smiled at Willow, who was facing Sid.
    “Hey,” Willow said, “Beth mentioned you’d be covering here for a while. Must be better than baiting hooks all day.”
    “You two know each other?” Lucas asked.
    “Will lives on the island,” Sid said. “And she tends bar better than you do. Cut the kissy face and get me my drinks.”
    Lucas slid the cherry Coke to Willow, then wiped his hands on his towel to keep from wrapping them around Sid’s throat. “Keep your pants on, sweet cheeks. I’m working on them.”
    “Order up!” came a voice through the service window.
    “That’s your appetizers.” Lucas dropped the stuffed mushrooms and fried cheese sticks on Sid’s tray. “Take those out. I’ll have the drinks ready when you swing back around.”
    “Add two Millers and two diets for table fifteen. And don’t call me sweet cheeks again unless you want to lose the ability to reproduce.”
    Sid stomped off and he turned back to his new friend. “She’s a breath of fresh air, isn’t she? Where were we?”
    Willow stared back, wide-eyed. “She must really like you. Nobody would ever call Sid a name like that and live to tell the tale.”
    “I’m pretty sure she hates me, but I’m not taking it personally.”
Trying not to anyway
. “So where do you tend bar?”
    “O’Hagan’s,” she said, looking over her shoulder. “You two know each other well?”
    “Who, me and Sid?” He shrugged. “Not really. I mean I’ve known her since high school, but we never ran in the same circles. How long have you been on Anchor?”
    “Little less than a