Wind Chime Café (A Wind Chime Novel) Read Online Free PDF Page A

it.
    “Why don’t you jump in and give them a run for their money?” Ryan said, leaning back against the truck. “They teach you guys how to doggie paddle in SEAL training, right?”
    Will laughed as the dogs swam back to the shore, climbing up the rocks and bounding over the pavement toward them. “Something like that.”
    The stick landed at his feet and the dogs circled him, barking for him to throw it. He picked it up again, tossing it back into the water.
    He could do this all day.
    A red-tailed hawk soared over the bridge, stretching its wings toward the sun. The bells of the drawbridge rang as it slowly lowered back into place. He glanced over his shoulder, noticing the cages stacked up in the bed of Ryan’s truck for the first time. “What’s all that?”
    “Oyster restoration project,” Ryan explained. “I’m working with the Department of Natural Resources to reestablish the species in the Bay.”
    Will snagged the stick from the chocolate lab’s mouth when she brought it back. “I thought you were working at the lab in Baltimore?”
    “I was.” Ryan reached into the bed of the truck, adjusting one of the cages. “But I was bored out of my mind. I finally realized I wasn’t going to save the Bay by testing water samples. I was going to save the Bay by talking to people and living near the ones who are still working the waters.”
    He dug in the back pocket of his bleach-stained khakis and pulled out a business card. “I moved home a few months ago and started a nonprofit on the island. I do more outreach and project work now.” He handed Will the card. “But I get to keep the scientist title.”
    Will glanced down at the card, surprised. His friend had a PhD in Marine Biology from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, one of the best programs in the country, and he’d moved home to live and work on the island.
    “Listen,” Ryan said, whistling for the dogs. “I’ve got to run, but I’ll fill you in on the rest later.” The dogs scrambled up from the water, racing over the pavement and leaping into the bed of the truck.
    Will walked over to them, scratching the yellow lab behind the ears. He hadn’t realized how much he missed these dogs. He wondered if Ryan would be willing to leave one with him for a few weeks. He’d like to have a dog around while he was working on the house.
    Then again, it was probably safer not to get too attached. He had a tendency to get attached to dogs, and people for that matter, when he spent too much time with them. It was better to stay detached, to keep things light and simple.
    That way, he didn’t have to risk losing someone again.
    Ryan closed the hatch and walked over to the driver’s side. “Come by Rusty’s tonight. We’ll grab a beer, play some pool. It’ll be like old times.”
    Will picked a wet leaf off the dog’s dripping fur. He should have known he wouldn’t make it through the day without someone asking him to meet up at the island bar. But it was Friday and Rusty’s would be packed tonight. If he went, he’d run into everyone.
    He wasn’t sure he was ready for that yet.
    The dogs shook, spraying him with water, and he dropped the leaf on the ground. He hadn’t really thought about his decision to stay on the island for the next several weeks. Once everyone heard he was back, people would want to ask him questions. They’d want to know why he hadn’t come home in so long, why he hadn’t at least come back for his grandparents’ funeral six months ago.
    The answer to the last question was relatively simple. He’d been overseas.
    But where he’d been, and what had happened in the mountains of Afghanistan while his grandparents had been laid to rest thousands of miles away, was another story. He couldn’t have the nightmares creeping in while he was standing in a crowded bar, surrounded by dozens of islanders.
    “Come by around five,” Ryan said, climbing into his truck.
    Will nodded, unable to come up with a viable excuse as