LAST ASSAULT ON OAK ISLAND 12

Chapter 12

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Shortly after noon, the barbecue pits were being swarmed by hungry tourists and residents alike. The aroma of roasting pig and spicy beef mingled with those of early blueberry pies and fresh bread. Vendors sporting cheese, sausage, and apple butter found their stands vacating as the heartier foods became available.

Lauren and Maruso visited a few of the stands and then headed into the thick of town for the savory sandwiches and salads being offered. After the initial shock of spicy beef peppered with cumin and paprika, Lauren felt drawn to the more palatable roasted dill chicken. From there they went on to sample other salads and pitas. In closing, they both agreed the simplified version of Chocolate Sheba was best.

The rest of the afternoon was spent at the open-air concerts and markets. Both forgot about Miles and the Money Pit for a few hours. Toward the evening they headed for a restaurant in Lunenburg. It served lower echelon French dinners as well as gourmet Greek and stout German and English food. It was not dockside, but the bay was visible from the patio. Where Lauren and Maruso were seated in the open air, they could see the harbor and Oak Island.

Lauren watched him eat for a moment before posing her next question, deciding the age difference between them was not all too broad. "Is working for the museum interfering with your personal life?"

He swallowed his bite quickly. "In what way?"

She shrugged. "Did you have to clear it with anyone? You know; an old girlfriend coming up and all."

"No. How about you? You're really not involved or anything?"

"No. After I finish school I'll have more time for that."

"Will you?" He shook his head. "You'll be trotting from continent to continent, looking at things, purchasing for the museum. Stuff like that."

"I won't be that busy."

"Have you got someone willing to wait a couple years?" He had not said it brutally, but there was a certain severity in his tone.

"No. That would be unfair and selfish." She cut into her braised turkey. "Why aren't you committed? Or don't men do that anymore?"