Page 10 of Spotted at Lighthouse Bay (Spotted Cottage #4)

On the flight back, Addy insisted Rick take the front seat again. It was not an entirely selfless act on her part, but he seemed engaged enough, talking to Joey.

In the back, she was free to dig through Flex Knock’s website. She couldn’t find any other phone numbers, or even an email to contact someone at the company. She had to fill out the “contact us” form on the website. She added her phone number at the bottom and hit send.

When she searched the address, it showed a run-down strip mall. Was there really an office there? Or was this whole thing a scam? If it was all a scam, maybe Lawrence hadn’t really lost his house…

“Sorry I rushed you,” Joey said, crackling into Addy’s headset. “I can probably bring you out again in a few days. It’s just been so busy recently with Lottie’s pending arrival.”

“I understand,” Addy said. “Please don’t worry about it. If I need to, I can take the ferry.”

“Hopefully you don’t get stranded,” Joey said. “I really hope they figure something out with the ferries.”

“Me too,” she said, and she meant it. Though she could think of worse things than being stuck on a beautiful island.

They landed, Russell’s dock floating on the glittering water in the distance. After Joey shut off the plane, Addy thanked him for his help, then started up the hill to Patty’s cottage. Rick followed an arm’s length behind.

“I hope you’re not sick of being my bodyguard yet,” she said, turning to smile at him.

He shook his head. “Not at all.”

“You even got to see some action today.”

He nodded. “Yeah.”

“You’re very strong,” Addy said. She stopped walking. “I mean, it was impressive how you picked those guys up.”

He stopped, a half-smile pulling at his lips, the dimple flashing ever so briefly. “You were pretty impressive, removing that reporter.”

She scoffed. “Some reporter. I looked it up while we were on the plane. There is no Bellingham Star.”

“Huh. How about that.” He narrowed his eyes. “You’re very impressive, too. An investigative reporter yourself.”

She let out a laugh. “Yeah, yeah.”

Addy kept walking. The door to Patty’s cottage was unlocked, as usual. She pushed it open and walked into the cinnamon-filled air.

Eliza must be perfecting a recipe.

She followed the scent to the kitchen. There was no cake. Only Sheila.

“How’d it go?” Sheila asked, setting down the water kettle.

“It was okay. Confusing.” Addy took a seat and watched Rick cross through the kitchen and stand by the back door.

He was always on alert. It must be exhausting. Bad for the nerves.

“Actually, wait,” Addy said. “What do you know about Mia and this movie she did?”

Sheila shrugged. “Not much. She won’t talk to Russell about it, and he wants to let her do her own thing.”

“Is it her thing?” Addy asked. “Or her mom’s thing?”

Sheila puffed out her lips. “Hard to say.” She looked at Rick. “Can I get you something to drink?”

He shook his head and held up the cardboard coffee cup from Bellingham. He’d opted for the so-called oat milk latte. “I’m all set.”

“Let me give you some money for the drinks,” Addy said, reaching for her purse.

He put up a hand. “It all goes on the company card. Don’t worry about it. I’m happy when I get to buy something on their dime.”

She studied his face, trying to figure out if that was the truth or if he was trying to be gracious. He had no tells.

Sheila plopped down next to her. “What’s Lawrence like? Is he awful?”

Addy shut her eyes. “No. That’s the worst part. He’s the most lovely man. He says he misses Mom and wants to win her back.”

Sheila groaned. “She got another one, eh?”

“I looked through all the paperwork. It was a sale-leaseback like you suspected. They gave him a bit of money and within months, they’d tripled his rent.”

“Typical.” Sheila shook her head. “I can’t believe these companies get away with this stuff.”

“We didn’t have time to go to the company headquarters,” Addy said. “I wish Mom knew what she’d signed.”

“If she did business with the actual company, we might have a chance of getting the money back,” Sheila said. “But if she didn’t…”

“I know.” Total disaster. Addy, the spinster sister, would live out the rest of her days catering to her mother’s whims. “I’m not going to think about that yet.”

Patty breezed into the kitchen and grabbed an apron. “Oh good! You’re back!”

“Missed me?” Addy said with a smile.

Maybe if she was good, Patty would adopt her, too. She could be a stepdaughter-in-law or something.

“I was just at the tea shop,” Patty said, pulling the apron over her head, “and I ran into your date.”

“My date?” Addy glanced at Sheila. “What date?”

“I set up a date for you next week,” Patty said, opening a cupboard and pulling out a muffin tin. “He’s a very handsome man and has a small farm on the west side of the island.”

“A farmer,” Sheila said, a smile dancing on her lips. “I like that for you.”

“I appreciate it, Patty, but I’m not really looking for a date.”

“Of course you are! Your ex-husband moved on. Why shouldn’t you?”

“It’s not about that. I’m busy dealing with my mom, and I’ve been working on some translations, too.”

Sheila’s eyes brightened. “What translations?”

A grin broke across Addy’s face. “That client who wanted me to translate those articles into Italian? Now he wants me to translate some Italian short stories into English.”

“Get out of here!” Sheila slapped her hand on the table. “Congratulations!”

Patty put a hand on her hip. “Is this a new business you’re starting?”

Addy nodded. “I’ve always wanted to work as a translator, but I never had the time when I was working at the university, so I’m giving it a shot. I figure, what have I got to lose?”

“That’s exactly what I think about your date.” Patty wagged a finger at her, then dropped a paper onto Addy’s lap. “This is it. Seven sharp. You’re going to love it.”

Before Addy could protest, Patty brushed past Rick and out the back door.

Addy stared at the paper. The Spotted Duck, 7PM, Corey F.

“Did I just get match-made?” Addy asked.

Sheila erupted into laughter. “I think you did.”

Her phone rang. It was her mom. Again .

Addy sighed. If this was part of getting adopted by Patty, she’d do it. Plus, her daughter Riley kept encouraging her to put herself out there. What could go wrong?