Seaview Inn by Sherryl Woods Page A

Girlfriends didn’t poach. Luke was as off limits to her as if he and Abby had had rings on their fingers.
    When she reached The Fish Tale, she stood outside the door debating whether to go inside.
    “The food’s really good,” a chipper voice announced behind her. “I can vouch for it. My family owns the place.”
    Hannah whirled around, a smile spreading. “Lesley Ann?”
    “Oh, my gosh, Hannah! I can’t believe it,” Lesley Ann said, enveloping her in a hug made awkward by the size of her belly.
    “You’re having a baby,” Hannah said, standing back to look at her. “And you’re absolutely glowing.”
    “My third,” Lesley Ann told her. “He’s due any minute, so I’m not even supposed to be here, but I like to come down and check on Dad about this time every day. Since my mom died, he works too hard, but getting him to slow down is like talking to a wall. I imagine you’re having the same problem with Jenny.”
    “Oh, yeah,” Hannah confirmed.
    “Come on, let’s go in. I’ll treat you to dinner on the house,” Lesley Ann offered.
    Hannah nodded, relieved not to be walking in alone.
    Lesley Ann pulled open the door and stepped inside. “Hey, Dad, look who I found lurking on the sidewalk.”
    Just as she spoke, Luke slowly swiveled around on his seat at the bar and met Hannah’s gaze. His lips quirked into a smile, though Hannah wasn’t sure if it was meant for her or Lesley Ann.
    “And look who turned up here earlier,” Jack called back to his daughter, gesturing toward Luke. “Why don’t you three find yourselves a table and catch up? I’ll bring over some drinks. Hannah, what can I get you? A beer? Soda? Something to eat?”
    “A beer and a fish sandwich,” she said at once.
    “Just some water for me, Dad,” Lesley Ann said, then wove her way between the tables. “Let’s take that empty table by the window, instead of a booth,” she added, rubbing a hand protectively over her stomach. “This tummy of mine doesn’t fit in the booths so well at the moment.”
    She led the way toward a table and pulled out a chair before Luke could get to it. He shrugged and gestured for Hannah to sit in the one he’d pulled out.
    “Same old independent streak,” he said to Lesley Ann.
    “My mother taught me well,” she retorted. “Now, tellme everything about yourselves. Hannah, you’re living in New York, right?”
    “Yes, and working in public relations.”
    “That sounds so exciting. Do you love it?”
    “I do. It’s everything I ever wanted,” she claimed, then wondered why, if that was true, she wasn’t happier these days. It had to be because of all the pressure she was under lately, not any dissatisfaction with her life.
    “Luke, how about you?” Lesley Ann asked. “I haven’t heard anything about you since your folks moved away while you were still in college.”
    “There’s not that much to tell,” he said tightly. His expression shut down momentarily, then turned to relief when Jack came over with their drinks and Hannah’s sandwich.
    Hannah took her first bite, then sighed. “It’s every bit as good as I remembered.”
    Luke grinned. “I said the same thing.”
    “Well, of course it is,” Lesley Ann said indignantly. “It was Mama’s recipe and we don’t let anyone mess with it.”
    “I hear you’re going to take over one of these days,” Luke said.
    “I am, that is, if I can ever talk Dad into retiring.” She glanced toward the bar where Jack was once more chatting with a customer. “How can I push it, though, when this place is all that keeps him going now that Mama’s gone? You must know what I mean, Hannah. It must be like that for your grandmother since your mom died. Seaview Inn must mean more to her than ever.”
    Hannah nodded slowly, hating to admit that Lesley Ann was right. “But I don’t see how she can keep up with it at her age.”
    “Hire someone to help her,” Lesley Ann said matter-of-factly. “Or come back here yourself. I know