Page 67 of Noel Secrets

“The cloud forest. Costa Rica. Ah, Addie, I’m so happy I can hardly stand it. And to think a few months ago Gregory Astle attacked me, but my hero Vance saved me.”

“It’s getting a little thick,” Addie teased, but it was only because it was natural. “Seriously, sis, I’m so happy for you. Vance is the best.” She wished her hero Price could rescue her, but that dream was gone. It would be so awkward if they ever ran into each other.

“He is, right? Even Dad likes him.”

“Now that is an accomplishment for any man.”

They laughed together, but with Juliette and Emery both going through horrific divorces, their dad was more overprotective of his grown daughters than he’d been even when they were teenagers. Addie sobered. Even with the little she knew about Price, her dad, mom, Vance, her niece, nephew, and all of her sisters would’ve liked him.

“Okay, I’m going to stop ‘glazing’ Vance, as Linc would say. Did I tell you how excited I am to have a hilarious little brother?”

“I bet. Lincoln is a great kid.”

“For sure. Now what’s up with you? Why have you had a rough day?”

Addie paused. She didn’t want to stress her sister out. “Sweet sis, you’ve got a lot on your plate with wedding plans and nonstop kissing of your handsome fiancé. Let’s not talk about me right now.”

“Adeline Belle.” Daphne’s voice got fierce. “You spit out whatever is going on or I’m catching the next flight across the country and pinning you down until you share.”

Addie laughed. Only Daphne. She’d do it too. Daphne was a fitness guru, lean and strong. Addie wouldn’t dare mess with her. She sighed. “Don’t freak out, anddon’ttell Dad.”

“O-kay?”

“You didn’t tell Dad, or any of us, about Gregory coming after you,” Addie reminded her.

“I said okay. Sheesh. A little trust and forgiveness. Now spill.”

She knew she could trust Daphne and her sister would listen and not tell their dad. Daphne hadn’t told any of them when Gregory Astle accosted her. They’d all forgiven her for hiding it, but her dad still was bothered by the situation. It was that hard balance between being a grown woman, still turning to your family, and not stressing them out.

“Someone has left two photos with notes on my doorstep.”

“Like a desperate admirer? You have far too many men after you.”

“No. Definitely not an admirer. Maybe a spurned boyfriend. The police don’t know. The photos were of me in my house and me on a … date. The notes were threats … to kill me.”

“Addie!” Daphne shrieked. “What are the police doing? Are you in a safe space? We need to hire private protection.”

“Calm down, sis. I’m safe. The police are all over it. Don’t get your shorts in a twist.”

The police had done a lot, but still she felt like she was cowering in her own home. She hated it.

“You tell me everything. Right now.”

Addie didn’t even consider holding back. She’d shared with Gillian, but she didn’t have the trust and lifelong relationship with Gillian that she had with her sister.

She began with the two meetings with Price at Quincy Market, banana pudding, the first photo and note, the second photo and note, and then she explained about the captain demanding she and the detectives play along with meeting Price this evening and trying to see if he’d reveal anything.

“Okay, first of all, terrifying. I’ll be praying nonstop for you. Second of all, I’m sure the detectives are doing a great job, but this Price works for Aiden Porter? Why don’t we hire him to protect you?”

Addie pushed out a breath. It would clean out her savings to hire a full-time Aiden Porter professional, and she wasn’t a charity case.

“No way, sis. That bridge has burned and fallen into the raging river. I hurt him playing along with the detectives’ idea. I hope I never run into him again.” She wanted to, but she could only imagine the disaster it would be. The hurt and concern in Price’s dark eyes had about killed her.

“Maybe, but sis, do you know how amazing and gorgeous you are? He’ll forgive you.”

Addie grunted. “No he won’t. You weren’t there. It was awful.”

“You know Vance’s brother-in-law Brex works for Aiden too. Let me see what they can do. I’m not saying it has to be Price, but these guys are topnotch. They could come watch over you, figure out who sent these notes, and body slam them into the hard, cold earth.”