Free The Siren's Call (Last Chance Motel Book 3) by Abigail Keam Page B

there’s no tomorrow.”
    River gave Mary a mischievous grin. “Really? Geez, people will talk about us.”
    “That storm’s no joke, River. You better come home with me and wait her out. What you and Jenny went through was just a polite little rainstorm. Mike reinforced my house so it could withstand everything but the very worst storm. You might as well take shelter in a cardboard box as be in this trailer.”
    “I thought it was sexist to refer to storms as she.”
    “It’s a she, all right, and she’s looks mighty angry to me. Come on now. Get your stuff and let’s get out of here.”
    River closed the door and locked it. “There’s nothing in there I want to save, and I’m sure not going to argue about spending time with you. Do you think we have time to have dinner at Aussie Jack’s before the storm hits?”
    Mary scanned the sky. “Let’s try it. NOAA says we’ve got two or three hours before she lands. Besides, I’ve a taste for fresh Florida lobster. If we get caught, we can just wait it out at the Last Chance.”
    “You mean the Pink Flamingo?”
    “Don’t tell Eva that I called it the Last Chance, will ya?”
    River mimed zipping his mouth shut and throwing away the key. “Your secret is safe with me, doll.”

27
    R iver watched the ocean nervously. “Are you sure this is not a full-blown hurricane?”
    Mary laughed, “Of course I’m sure. This is just a lil’ ol’ tropical storm. She’ll be over in about three-four hours.”
    “Then why are Jack’s employees boarding up the windows?”
    “I didn’t say the winds would not get fierce. You felt how the car was buffeted so hard on the way over here that it was swaying.”
    “I was wondering about that. I thought the wind was going to knock the car off the road.”
    “Hi Lillian,” said Mary, greeting her friend.
    “Hi folks. See you’re braving the high winds.”
    “Lillian, tell this nervous Nellie that this is just a lil’ ol’ tropical storm.”
    “Well, I trust your word on that, Mary. I’ve never been in a storm yet, but Jack is not closing. He’s open for business, so I guess there’s nothing to worry about.”
    “Then why are the windows being boarded up?” asked River a second time, looking around.
    “I’m told this is a common procedure here when the winds are predicted to be above 25 mph, and then once the storm has passed, they take the plywood down off the back windows. You’ll probably still be eating when the windows are open again.”
    “See, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Shall we order?” Mary said to River. “Nothing to worry about.”
    “I’ll get your waiter for you,” replied Lillian, scanning the room. She waved to a man who hurried over. “Joe, take care of these people. Consider them VIPs. They are special.”
    “Sure will, Lillian.” He turned to River and Mary. “Can I get you a cocktail?”
    “For sure,” jumped in River. “A Whiskey Sour, don’t be timid about pouring that whisky, and keep them coming.” River looked at Mary.
    Then Joe looked at Mary.
    “The same. We need Dutch courage, I see.”
    “Dutch courage, hell. I need drunk courage,” laughed River.
    “We get these storms a lot during the summer. You better get used to them if you want to stay in Florida, River.”
    “I’ll be right back with your drinks,” reassured Joe before hurrying off. He certainly sympathized with River. He was from Ohio, and these storms unnerved him too. But he was going to give them the best service possible and pray for a big tip. That would make the evening bearable, since what he wanted was to take refuge in the kitchen. Maybe he and River could hide there together.

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    J enny stared at the angry sky over the Atlantic Ocean while Eva calmed her guests. “Folks, I’ve been closely monitoring the Weather Service, and this is just a small tropical storm that may even play itself out before it hits the shore. I would not recommend boating at this time, but please enjoy the pool