With Baited Breath Read Online Free PDF

Kathy said vehemently.
    “I don’t think Gramps would go for any other color.”
    “Isn’t his competitor’s place a dull and boring brown?”
    “You mean Bayside Live Bait & Marina? Yeah.”
    “Then Cannon’s should be on the opposite side of the color wheel.”
    “What did you have in mind?”
    “Caribbean blue—or something teal.”
    “Oh, no.”
    “Oh, yes. What’s a bait shop represent?”
    “Worms.”
    “No, recreation,” Kathy admonished. “Mark my words. Make it colorful and it will stand out all year—especially in winter.”
    Tori wasn’t enthusiastic, but she let Kathy talk her into a special mix that was close to teal. If nothing else, it would be more cheerful than stark white would. But what was her Gramps going to say?
    They also bought a quart each of red, white, and black paint to spruce up the signs that had faded so badly that they were barely legible. And they bought a couple of flats of petunias and a dozen geraniums to plant around the house and shop to make the place a little more welcoming. All well and good, but Tori didn’t have an income. She hoped there was something worth selling among her grandmother’s treasures to pay for these much-needed splurges. They would start the sorting process later that night.
    The locally owned grocery store couldn’t hold a candle to the big chains in Rochester when it came to prepared foods, but they bought a large sub and some potato salad for their supper. Kathy had baked that morning and brought a big plastic container of Tori’s favorite chocolate chip-oatmeal cookies, which didn’t have long for this world. They also picked up a large box of heavy-duty trash bags. They were going to need them.
    Herb had closed the shop and was waiting for them in the kitchen when they returned from their errands. “I’m hungry as a bear,” he said as Tori collected plates, passing them to Kathy, who set the table while Tori retrieved mayo, pickles, and a big pitcher of iced tea from the fridge.
    “Did you get me some scratch offs?” Herb asked.
    “Gramps, you may as well flush your money down the toilet as buy lottery tickets,” Tori said with disdain.
    “One of these days I’m gonna win big and then you’ll have to eat your words.”
    “I’d rather eat this sandwich,” she said, taking her seat at the table.
    Kathy unwrapped the sub and passed parts of it around. “What will you do if you win?” she asked the old man.
    “Move to Florida.”
    “Florida?” Tori asked, aghast. “What for?”
    “It don’t snow there.”
    “Would you be a snowbird?” Kathy asked, and used her fork to spear a couple of gherkins.
    “Hell, no. If I move there, I wouldn’t come back here.”
    “Don’t you love Lotus Bay?” Tori asked, feeling crushed.
    “Not really. The Lodge and the bait shop were your grandma’s pet projects, not mine. I never wanted to go into business. There’re too many ways to fail.”
    “It’s hard work,” Kathy agreed, “but I’d much rather work for myself than someone else.”
    “Tori tells me you work in a hotel,” Herb said, spooning an enormous helping of potato salad onto his plate.
    “I do,” Kathy said sadly. ”But one day I’m going to own a bed and breakfast.”
    “Good luck with that,” Herb muttered with what sounded like disapproval.
    “It’s what I’ve always wanted to do. Now I just have to find the perfect property. That is, once my inheritance comes through.”
    “When’s that going to happen?” Herb asked.
    “In four months, when I hit thirty,” Kathy said and picked up her sandwich, taking a bite.
    Herb looked askance at Tori before he spoke again. “So, why did you come here today?”
    Kathy swallowed. “To help you and Tori.”
    “If you’re worried about me, don’t. I’ve got everything under control.”
    “Great,” she said, picked up her fork and scooped up some potato salad.
    “You girls don’t need to hang around here. I took care of Josie and this place for a lot of