Contents ( 66)
- Cover
- Books by Valerie Fraser Luesse
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Map of Florida
- one
- two
- three
- four
- five
- six
- seven
- eight
- nine
- ten
- eleven
- twelve
- thirteen
- fourteen
- fifteen
- sixteen
- seventeen
- eighteen
- nineteen
- twenty
- twenty-one
- twenty-two
- twenty-three
- twenty-four
- twenty-five
- twenty-six
- twenty-seven
- twenty-eight
- twenty-nine
- thirty
- thirty-one
- thirty-two
- thirty-three
- thirty-four
- thirty-five
- thirty-six
- thirty-seven
- thirty-eight
- thirty-nine
- forty
- forty-one
- forty-two
- forty-three
- forty-four
- forty-five
- forty-six
- forty-seven
- forty-eight
- forty-nine
- fifty
- fifty-one
- Epilogue
- Keep Reading for a Preview of Valerie Luesse’s Next Book!
- Prologue
- one
- Acknowledgments
- About the Author
- Back Ads
- Back Cover
“Thank you,” Peyton said, buttering a hot, fluffy biscuit from the pan and filling the glass next to his plate. “Man, Aunt Gert,” he said after he drained his glass. “I never had orange juice like that.”
She slid two eggs out of her skillet and onto his plate. “Squeezed it myself. Got an orange tree right out back. There’s plenty more where that came from, so drink up.”
He refilled his glass as she loaded him up with bacon. Right before she sat down, she put a steaming cup of coffee next to each of their plates.
“Uh . . . I don’t usually drink coffee, Aunt Gert,” he said.
“That’s because you’ve never had mine.” She offered thanks and told him to dig in. “Well, go on,” she said, pointing to the coffee. “Give it a try. You don’t have to drink it if you don’t like it.”
Peyton had to admit, Aunt Gert’s coffee didn’t look like any he had ever seen. She served it in a glass cup. It was dark brown—almost black—with a frothy cream on top. He took a cautious sip.
She raised an eyebrow as she watched him. “Well?”
He broke into a smile. “That’s good stuff.”
“I know! Drink up. It’ll put hair on your chest.”
Peyton set down his fork and slapped his forehead with his hand. “Oh, man! I forgot to call her last night.”
“Your mama?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I called her.”
Peyton sighed with relief. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. But if you ever forget to call me when you’re supposed to, I’ll tan your hide.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said as he dove back into his breakfast. “Did she say how Daddy’s doin’?”
“’Bout the same, but he’s not goin’ backwards, which is the important thing.”
Peyton buttered another biscuit and asked, “Is there anything you need me to help you with today?”
“Your mama told you to say that, didn’t she?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Ha! I appreciate your honesty, son. There’s plenty I’ll need help with, but not now. Today, I want you to ramble. Go walk around town and get your bearin’s. Take the Madame out and explore the harbor and the beach. Introduce yourself to St. Augustine.”
“Don’t you want to come?”
“I do not. You’re on your own. Here, take this money and stick it in your pocket for lunch in town so you don’t have to eat here and be tied to a clock.”
“Mama gave me money.”
“I know. But you’re my guest, so you eat on me. And that’s that.”
“Thank you.” Peyton stuffed the bills into his hip pocket. “I still can’t believe you let me drive the Madame.”
“Everything worth knowin’ has to be learned by doin’. And if there’s anything worth knowin’ in Florida, it’s how to swim, how to fish, and how to handle a boat. You can swim, can’t you?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m a pretty decent swimmer.”
“And fish? You know how to cast a line?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Alright then. Master the Madame and you’re good to go. There’s fishin’ gear in the toolshed if you want to take a rod and reel out with you. Just stay on the shoreline for now. I’ll get Finn to show you the ropes in the deep sea, but you’re not ready yet, so stay where you can see the beaches.”