The Way Home by Katherine Spencer Page B

Torpid. Deserted . . . Forlorn?”
    â€œHey, what did I say? Don’t panic.” He said it again, even slower. He had slipped off his glasses and stared at her. She suddenly noticed he was touching her shoulder. “It takes time to build a following, Avery. We’re not exactly on the middle of Main Street. People have to find you out here. Then it becomes a fun place to visit for dinner. A destination.”
    She knew that but felt better hearing him say it.
    â€œAnd you can’t compare this place with the Tuna,” he added. “We’ve been here nearly thirty years. People who went to the Tuna as kids are bringing their own families now.”
    Avery sighed. “I hope it doesn’t take that long for the Peregrine to catch on.”
    She couldn’t last the summer, serving only four or five tables a night. But she didn’t admit that to Mike. For one thing, she already knew what he would say: “Don’t panic.”
    The words did calm her, she had to admit. Especially when he said them.
    He looked at his watch. She hoped he was getting ready to go. She enjoyed talking to him, but she just felt too awful right now about her failed grand opening, and the only way she would feel better was to take some positive action. Like calling up the advertising department at
What’s Happening in Cape Light?
Not hanging out with her biggest—albeit, very attractive—competitor.
    â€œWhat time does your crew come in?” he asked.
    â€œAbout four.” It was already three. Avery hoped she had enough time to make her phone calls.
    â€œWant to take a walk on the beach?”
    His invitation surprised her. When she hesitated he said, “I bet you haven’t even been out on the beach once since you got here, have you?”
    She wanted to deny it, but it was impossible to lie looking into those big brown eyes. “I wanted to, but I haven’t had a chance. I don’t really have time now either,” she added.
    â€œJust what I thought. At least come out and walk the boardwalk? Have you seen Mrs. McNulty’s tube collection? I’d love to show you the highlights. I think she even has the Loch Ness Monster. Do you think kids really like that, or are they scared to death?”
    She couldn’t answer the question but couldn’t help laughing at it, either. He was referring to Sunshine Sundries, right next to the café, and the vast collection of water toys and tubes displayed out front. The Loch Ness Monster was not much of an exaggeration. From where she sat, Avery could clearly make out a shark, a whale, and even some kind of giant squid thing with tentacles.
    â€œThat is a tempting invitation.” She was teasing him back now, and he seemed to enjoy it. “But I have to take a rain check. I have too much to do.”
    He looked disappointed, and she wondered if she should change her mind. Then he shrugged his big shoulders. “It is getting late. I probably ought to get back to the Tuna. I have to get things rolling for the dinner rush.”
    Dinner rush
? Did he have to use that exact term?
    Any qualms she’d had about refusing his invitation vanished. It was Monday night, for goodness sake. Who had a crowd on a Monday? But Avery didn’t doubt that if anyplace did, it was the Lazy Tuna.
    She felt even more resolved to stay at the café. She was too worried about her business to enjoy the beach right now anyway.
    â€œSee you around,” Mike said as he started to go. “Don’t forget what I told you,” he added.
    â€œI won’t,” she promised. Was it his simple but sound advice that had calmed her down—or just his natural charm? Either way, she couldn’t help smiling as he turned and strolled away.
    Avery opened up the magazine then snuck another look at Mike. He had slipped on his sunglasses and walked down the street as if he owned it. As if he owned the whole