Sunny Side Up (Lake Erie Mysteries Book 1) by Maureen K. Howard Page A

secure a spot on the comfy outdoor sectional couch in front of the unique propane fire top table. From our vantage point, we could see both the outdoor bar and the flower-lined street beyond the fence. I made myself comfortable and started to think about which of several specialty martinis I wanted to order when the sound of a dog bark diverted my attention toward the bar. There was Gunner, accepting attention from the hostess and several of the waiters and waitresses. I got the idea that this was a pretty common occurrence since Gunner was already lapping water from a big stainless steel dog bowl. Michael, on the other hand, was standing quietly at the bar alone. It almost seemed like he brought a personal space with him that had a Do Not Enter sign clearly displayed on it.
    A waitress came out of the restaurant holding a large, steaming Styrofoam cup of coffee, which she placed in front of him without saying a word. Michael nodded his head and then returned his eyes to the newspaper he was reading. The next time I glanced in his direction, he was holding a red pen in his right hand and his coffee in his left. His attention was still focused downward on his reading material. No one joined him or spoke to him. I could see why June was so intrigued with this dark, handsome, mysterious stranger with the loyal, friendly dog. I tried to picture the two of them as a couple. They were polar opposites, yet it wasn’t that hard to do.
    “What are you daydreaming about over there, Francie? Let me guess: chocolate martini versus cosmo.” Hamm raised his hand to get the attention of our waiter. Directing his comment to me, he said, “Since we never did make it to Caddy Shack for pizza, we better order some real food before we start in on drinks. The cheese snacks were good, but it’s time for something more substantial. I know your weakness for chocolate martinis, and I also know what happens if you’re not careful.”
    I gave him an appreciative smile. “Well you do have a point. Besides, no one is going to have to twist my arm to make me order something to eat. The hard part will be deciding what to have.”
    The seat I had chosen was one facing the street with Hamm to my right and June to my left. I wanted to be next to my husband, of course, but I also needed to be within whispering distance of June so we could get in some good-natured gossip about all of the interesting people we saw walking up and down the main street. You never knew when you would see a pirate with a treasure chest full of candy and small toys, and it was good to be ready to embrace the moment. I caught a tootsie roll that rocketed straight at me and looked up just in time to see the handsome pirate tip his three-cornered hat in my direction before continuing on his merry way up the street.
    I tossed the treat into my bag for later and retrieved my purse hook so I didn’t have to place my handbag on the germy ground. I also grabbed my reading glasses just in case one of the twins happened to text or call me. I was realizing more and more how much I missed them. This was the first summer that both of them were away; Ben had gotten an apprenticeship with an architect in Ann Arbor, and Beth had opted to spend her summer volunteering with a children’s theater group in Columbus before continuing her degree in music therapy at Ohio State University. I was starting to understand the day-to-day reality of empty-nest syndrome. Thank goodness for FaceTime. Not that I wasn’t enjoying the new freedom that comes with not having to be the responsible parent all the time. It was definitely an adjustment, but it was one I was quickly learning to embrace.
    I was finally all settled when I realized I was famished, and my stomach was seriously growling as the tantalizing scent of exotic seasonings, sautéed onions and grilling meat began to fill the evening air.
    We got down to the business of studying the menu. Without even glancing at the offerings, Hamm ordered the