Herrington's Cove: The Charade, #1

By Charlotte London

The death of their mother brings twin sisters Avery and Kate to a
coastal beach town struggling to start a new life. Through hardship,
one finds true love; the other fights to survive and to figure out who
she really is. Two men enter their lives, one with good intentions and
the other bad. When worlds collide between the odd couple out,
tragedy unfolds.
This is a novella of approximately 15,700 words

• Language: English
• Publisher: Charlotte London
• Release date: Sep 10, 2014
• ISBN: 9781502293848

Book preview

Books by Charlotte London:

Herrington’s Cove (The Charade - Book 1)

Herrington’s Cove

Charlotte London

Chapter 1

Debbie, you have a phone call, the hostess announced from the restaurant’s kitchen. Avery Brooks turned from her server’s station when she heard the familiar name. That name stirred something up in her. It had only been six months since the death of her mother, Debra. Most days it felt like just yesterday.

She watched as Debbie grabbed the phone from the wall extension and answered it. Avery went about her daily duties as if her little trip down memory lane had never taken place.

It was a Friday evening, so she expected it to be fairly busy. Debbie had notified her that they were shorthanded, so Avery waited on more than just her usual sections. She was fine with that because she needed the money which helped support herself and her sister.

As the evening progressed, a man was seated alone in her section. She decided it wasn’t that unusual since a lot of diners arrived separately sometimes. The man appeared a bit nervous and apprehensive. It was hard for her to tell for sure. Avery waited on him but didn’t question the absence of his dinner guest.

The seafood restaurant was thirty minutes away from being closed for the night. Avery realized that the man had probably been stood up, since he was still seated alone. She had practically caught up on her end shift work, so she decided to say something to him finally.

Excuse me sir, we will be closing in a few minutes. Is there anything that I can help you with?

The man responded, Maybe you could tell me why my blind date cancelled on me?

Avery was surprised by his candor. I’m sorry that happened to you. Maybe your date had a valid explanation. Did you want another refill?

No, I’m fine. I probably should have ordered something more than an appetizer while I waited though. Guess I was holding out hope that she would show up at some point.

Would you like me to get you something? The cooks are still here.

That’s ok. I don’t want to inconvenience them. I’m sure that they are cleaning up and are ready to go home.

I will check anyway, Avery said as she rushed to the kitchen. She returned a few minutes later, only to find an empty chair and a fifty dollar tip.

Thanks, mister...whoever you were.

Avery walked out of the back door of the restaurant onto the beach. She did this every night after work if the weather was nice. It was her way to unwind and she released stress. There was a full moon and a light breeze that came off of the water. She slipped off her shoes and sunk her feet into the sand.

As she walked closer to her favorite spot with a view of the lighthouse, she noticed a dark figure as it approached her. She was alone and so she was instantly a bit frightened. She gripped the pocket knife that she always carried with her. It was a gift from an old friend that worried about her being on her own a lot. Avery preferred it over a handgun.

Hello? Who is that? Avery asked as they slowly crossed paths.

Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you. I was on the dock just now until I saw you leave the restaurant. I wasn’t going to approach you. Since you’re out here I’d like to know if you received your tip, the familiar man responded.

Oh, yes. I sure did. That was very generous of you.

Well, it was the least that I could do since I probably made you lose more customers by hogging the table. You might have made twice that amount.

I guess you have a point. It wasn’t your fault.

So, do you normally come out here after work?

I try to...if I’m not too exhausted or if I have some things to take care of at home. How about you? I don’t remember ever seeing you out here this time of night before.

This was my first time dining at Lighthouse Cove and after the disaster of an evening I decided to get some fresh air. Well, the salty air actually.

Typically, you don’t really notice the salt smell. The breeze is causing that tonight. Being so close to the restaurant, I generally just smell their food. So, are you visiting or just travelling through?

Actually I live not too far from here. I’m closer to the city, but visit this area from time to time.

I just assumed you weren’t from here since you’d never been to the restaurant. I guess a lot of locals could say that.

"You say the word locals as if you aren’t one as well."