Page 2 of Spotted at Lighthouse Bay (Spotted Cottage #4)

“Adelaide Ashbourne?” Rick asked when he reached them.

The younger one raised her eyebrows. “Yes?”

She matched the pictures he’d gotten. Rick put his hand forward. “I’m Rick Hayle from IronClad Elite.”

“Uh, nice to meet you.”

Her hand was small in his. She pulled it away quickly.

The older woman stepped forward. “I’m Adelaide’s mom. You can call me Marilyn.”

His eyes darted between them. “Mrs. Ashbourne, I trust your husband Shane updated you on the situation?”

Marilyn spoke again. “ Ex -husband Shane. She’s single.”

“Okay, Mom,” Adelaide said. She sighed. “No, I haven’t spoken to him. Is he okay?”

He should have known. No last-minute assignment would come without complications. “Yes, but there is a concern about a case he’s presiding over and I’ve been hired to provide personal security for the duration of the case. Is there somewhere we can speak in private?”

“There’s nothing you can’t say in front of me,” Marilyn said, chin raised.

He turned to Adelaide. Her right arm was cradled in her left, a wine bottle tucked close to her chest. She nodded past him. “We can talk over some tea.”

Marilyn narrowed her eyes and walked past him. Adelaide joined her, and Rick followed at a distance.

“I don’t want you to get scammed like I did,” Marilyn said, loudly, looking over her shoulder. “You can’t just trust everyone, you know. I got scammed because I’m a good person.”

The wind filled his ears, rendering Adelaide’s response inaudible.

They stepped into the tea shop with a jingle of the door. The young woman at the counter smiled when she saw him.

“Oh good! You found her.”

Rick nodded. “I did. Thank you for your help.”

She’d already shown him around the tea shop when he’d stepped in a few minutes prior. Still, he went to every room and checked the bathroom. All clear.

Marilyn put her hands up. “Eliza! I thought you were your mom for a second.”

Eliza flashed a smile. “Grandma. Hi.”

“I’d love a pot of tea,” she continued, lowering herself into a chair with an oof . “Any black tea is fine; you know I’m not picky. And fresh cream.”

Eliza nodded. “Of course. Anything for you, Aunt Addy? And Mister…”

“You can call me Rick.” He hadn’t come for a tea party. “I’m fine, thank you.”

“Call Shane,” Marilyn said, glancing at Rick from the corner of her eye. “I want to hear what he has to say.”

“He left me a voicemail yesterday…” Adelaide pulled out her phone. “I haven’t listened to it yet.”

“Well, you’ve got to listen to it!” barked Marilyn. “What were you thinking?”

“I didn’t think it was important, Mom,” Adelaide said, voice low.

“Well, of course it is. Look at this guy,” Marilyn whispered. Loudly.

“I can wait outside if you’d prefer,” Rick said.

“No.” Marilyn held up a finger. “I don’t want you sneaking around. You sit.”

He didn’t move from his spot by the door. “I’ll be here.”

“Excuse me,” Adelaide said, stepping behind the swinging door leading to the kitchen.

Marilyn sat back, arms crossed over her chest. She zeroed her eyes in on him. “Do you think you could do me a favor?”

He stared at her. “It would depend on the favor.”

“Could you track someone down?” She leaned forward. “You know, like a criminal?”

Rick raised an eyebrow. “That’s not what I do.”

“Hm.” She waved a hand. “What is it you do, then?”

“I provide personal protection to those experiencing threats to their safety.”

“Was it Shane, then? Who threatened Adelaide?”

He took a deep breath, looked at her, then back to the swinging door. Adelaide emerged a moment later.

“Sorry about that,” she said, walking toward him. “It’s not that I didn’t believe you. I’ve just never been in a situation like this before.”

“I understand,” Rick said. “It’s wise to be cautious. I’m sorry you weren’t aware before my arrival.”

“Why do you need a bodyguard, Adelaide? What did you do?”

“I’m not sure. Shane didn’t answer, but he left a voicemail saying to expect someone.” She cleared her throat. “Am I really in danger?”

“What do you expect him to say? Of course he’ll say you are.” Marilyn jerked a thumb toward Rick. “Otherwise, he doesn’t get paid!”

“ Mom .”

Nothing from the file he’d gotten had indicated this woman lived with her elderly mother. If it had, he might’ve turned it down. “I assure you, you’re in good hands. Out of an abundance of caution, the firm involved in the lawsuit agreed to pay a third party for your protection.”

“Well, if that isn’t fishy,” Marilyn continued. “How do we know they’re not the ones that made the threat?”

“I’m an army veteran with a decade of experience in personal security. I have no association with the firm involved in the lawsuit and I can assure you your daughter is in good hands, Marilyn.”

“Please stop insulting my bodyguard, Mom,” Adelaide said, shaking her head. She flashed a smile. “Do you want to take a seat?”

Better to stay by the door. “I’m fine, thank you.”

She set the wine bottle down and took off her coat, gingerly bracing that right arm.

Eliza returned with a tray of tea.

“I’ve got our London Fog blend for you, Grandma,” she said, setting down a tea pot and cup.

Marilyn scrunched her nose. “Is that lavender I smell?”

“Yes, and I’ve got some sugar cookies as well.”

“You’ll like it,” Adelaide said.

Marilyn sighed. “I suppose I’ll get used to it.”

“Is there anything you can tell me about the threat?” Adelaide asked.

Rick cleared his throat. It was enough that her file was barren. Now he had to work through the awkward details. This was what he got for signing up for a job no one else wanted.

“A brick was thrown through your ex-husband’s window.”

Adelaide gasped, her hand going to her mouth. “A brick? Is he okay?”

“No one was injured. Following that, a second brick came through with a message that read, ‘Your wife won’t survive the wrong decision. Choose wisely.’”

“It said ‘your wife?’” Adelaide asked, her head cocked to the side. “What is this case about?”

“I’m sorry. I don’t know.”

“Okay.” Adelaide nodded. “How afraid should I be?”

“The attack didn’t seem like the work of a professional,” Rick continued. “Of course, we can never be sure of a threat, but I would not label you as a high risk.”

“But I need a bodyguard?” Adelaide said, eyebrows knitted close.

“I was hired out of an abundance of caution,” he repeated.

“Sounds scammy to me,” Marilyn said under her breath.

Another older woman emerged from the back room.

For a small tea shop, it was filling up. He needed to lock that back door.

“Excuse me,” the woman said, “but I caught the end of this.” Her hands were behind her back, tying an apron string. “I’m Patty, the owner of this tea shop. If you are who you’re claiming to be, you should be able to provide identification.”

“Of course.” He reached into his coat pocket and handed her his driver’s license, military ID, and the credential card IronClad Elite had rushed to print for him.

“IronClad Elite.” Patty narrowed her eyes. “This is your company?”

“Not my company, no,” Rick said. “They hired me to fill this position. It was an emergency contract.”

She raised an eyebrow. “You’re not a regular?”

“No.”

Patty frowned, handing his ID back. “If they’re so elite, why don’t they have staff trained and ready at all times?”

Rick glanced at Adelaide. She was seated, cradling her arm, her expression unreadable. Maybe in shock. “I can’t speak to that. I’ve worked personal security in the past and was called in by a friend at the company.”

“Well,” Patty said slowly, “I hope you’re good enough to take care of our Adelaide.”

“Okay, Patty. Thank you.” Adelaide stood, walking closer to him. “Rick, I’m not entirely sure what’s going on, but thank you for the information and…welcome to the mad house.”

He nodded. “Thank you. Glad to be here.”