Читать книгу Still Waters: The Island / Below the Surface - Heather Graham, Heather Graham - Страница 17

9

Beth was glad she had kept her mouth shut about the girls messing with her computer. When she joined her brother and niece out at the pool, she found a number of families engaged in a game of chicken.

Ben, with Amber on his shoulders, was trouncing the opposition. There was a lot of laughter and camaraderie going on. Nice.

She sat on the sidelines, watching, until Amber saw her and waved, then tapped her dad on the top of the head and alerted Ben to her presence, as well.

The competition tried to take advantage of Ben’s distracted state, but Amber turned back, ready to take on the world. Her opponent went down, and Amber laughed delightedly.

Like a child.

Then the two of them, after high-fiving each other in victory, laughed and left the pool, joining Beth on the sidelines.

“Congratulations,” Beth said.

“Thanks,” Amber said. “You’re cool with this, right? Hamburgers okay with you? I’ll go put our orders in. Would you rather have fish, Aunt Beth, or the salad bar?”

Beth shaded her eyes to stare at her niece. “Are you suggesting I should choose the salad bar?”

“No!”

“I’m going to have a hamburger and fries and iced tea,” she told Amber. “Ben?”

“The same.”

Amber nodded, grinned and went off to the counter to order.

Ben stared at his sister. “Dancing?”

“You could learn to dance,” she said defensively. “Salsa, I’ve decided. For a party—‘Summer Sizzler.’”

“I think it’s great,” he assured her. “Summer Sizzler—salsa. What’s not to like?”

“Good.”

“But are you sure that’s all you have in mind?” He leaned closer. “Tell me you’re not still trying to find out more about the Monocos.”

“I happened to see Maria Lopez at lunch. She’s a salsa queen. I spoke with her. It will be fun, good exercise, and Eduardo Shea gave me a great deal, because he thinks some of the members will sign up for dance lessons.”

Ben let out a sigh, shook his head and leaned back in his chair again.

To Beth’s dismay, one of the members, a woman named Tania Whirlque, came over and immediately brought up the same subject.

“Hey, Beth, I hear we’re having a dance workshop at the Sizzler.”

She hadn’t even put the flyers out yet.

“Do you like the idea, Tania?”

“Love it, especially if they’re going to arrange for a few teachers. I’m not so sure I’ll get my husband out on the floor, though.”