Page 5 of Spotted at Lighthouse Bay (Spotted Cottage #4)

“I don’t like this one bit,” Sheila announced, hands on her hips.

Addy leaned away, covering her phone with her hand. “Okay, thank you,” she said before ending the call.

She sighed and turned to her sister. “I don’t either, Sheila, but what are we supposed to do? Tell our mother ‘Good luck, you’re on your own?’”

“That’s what she did to us when we were kids. Why do we owe her anything?”

“We don’t owe her anything,” Addy said slowly. “But I know I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t help her. I’m going to do what I can.”

Sheila put her hand over her mouth and groaned. “I know. I wouldn’t feel good either, but she just got here and I’m already sick of her.”

It felt like someone had tightened a band around her head. Their mother could be incredibly charming and, at times, make Addy forget her grievances. Today had not been one of those times.

Instead, she had to remind herself that her mother was a flawed—but not unlovable—person.

She’d had an extraordinarily hard start in life and, because of that, she struggled and hurt those around her.

Her harms were never malicious or planned.

Her mother had always had to look out for herself because no one had looked out for her when she was young and defenseless. It made her comically selfish at times.

Other times less comically, but it helped to imagine her as a scared girl and not a pushy old woman.

Addy rubbed the back of her neck, trying to fix the image in her mind’s eye. “I know, but I have good news. I called around town and there’s an opening at the Piano Key Inn.”

“Patty knows the owners,” Sheila said.

“So do I.” Addy grinned. “Patty introduced us a few weeks ago when they came for tea. They’re going to give us a discount for Mom to stay in a suite.”

“Look at you!” Sheila poked her in the shoulder. “Making friends everywhere you go.”

Addy shrunk down, her hand flying to her shoulder. “ Ah .”

“Did that hurt?” Sheila shot a look back at Rick. “I don’t need your bodyguard coming after me.”

“It wasn’t you. It’s an old tendonitis injury flaring up.”

Addy looked up and Rick was at her side. He’d somehow managed to walk silently on the gravel.

“Everything okay?” he asked.

“Yes.” She paused. “I’m sorry about all this confusion, Rick. I’m afraid I’ve been rude and I’m sorry. Things will calm down after I get my mom settled. Why don’t you go to Russell’s and get set up?”

“You haven’t been rude. I apologize that you weren’t made aware of my coming. I know it can seem unnatural at first, but I won’t be leaving your side for the time being.”

“Question for you,” Sheila said loudly. “Do you have a gun?”

“Why do you ask?” Rick put his hands on his hips. “Do you need to borrow it?”

“I’m just curious,” Sheila said with a shrug.

“Sheila –” Addy warned.

“What? Don’t you want to know? Like, how does this all work?”

“I have everything I need to protect your sister,” Rick said.

Sheila stared at him, and when he didn’t say anything else, she took a step back. “Okay then.”

If Shane could see them now, he’d say Sheila was butting her nose where it didn’t belong and Addy was being overly accommodating. He’d scold her for asking too many questions and tell her to go with the flow.

Which flow she was supposed to embrace right now, she wasn’t sure.

Addy glanced between them, then clapped her hands together. “All right. I’m going to take Mom into town so she can get settled in her room and stop upsetting everyone.”

“I’m happy to drive,” Rick said.

“No, that’s okay. You can go and unpack.”

“I insist. I have a bulletproof vehicle.”

Addy stared at him. She realized her mouth was open.

“So no one can shoot at Mom?” Sheila mused. “That might come in handy.”

Addy shot her a look. “Sheila.”

“I also carry a first aid kit,” Rick said, nodding at her. “I can make a sling for your shoulder.”

Was she being that obvious? “Thanks, but it’s nothing.”

“Come on, go with him,” Sheila said. “Maybe if you have a sling, I’ll remember not to jab you again.”

“I should go get Mom,” Addy said, casting her eyes toward the tea shop.

It was loud and windy out here, but surely even louder inside with Patty left toe-to-toe with her mom.

Sheila raised an eyebrow. “Getting her out of the tea shop will be my only contribution today. Go!”

“All right. Thanks.”

“I’m in the parking lot,” Rick said with a nod.

Addy led the way, up the hill, past the tea shop. A black SUV sat gleaming in the sunlight.

“This looks like something from a spy movie,” she said.

He unlocked the car and opened the trunk. “I’ll admit it’s a bit on the nose, but it’s top of the line. Makes things simple.”

She leaned in. The seats were black leather. The windows were tinted black, and the inside of the doors reflected back at her like bottomless pools. “Is it yours?”

He shook his head. “No. IronClad Elite provided it as part of the contract.”

The trunk was spotless. Rick opened a black suitcase and lifted a large bandage out of a compartment. “May I?”

“It’s really not a big deal. It flares up now and again,” she said.

“I understand, but you’ve been holding that arm since we met. It can’t be comfortable.”

She looked down. Apparently she’d been obvious. Did that make her look like prey to any predators? Did anyone out there even know she existed? Know that she’d been part of Shane’s past, the part he’d hastily tossed away?

He gently lifted her arm and pressed it into her abdomen. “Hold that here.”

His hands were large, and his skin was rough against hers, but his touch was as light as a hummingbird. Goosebumps rippled across her skin.

He looped the bandage under her arm, tying it behind her neck. “How does that feel?”

She let her arm fall into the support. The ache eased, dissipating for the first time since she’d failed to throw the wine bottle. “Much better.”

“It should hold up until we can get something more durable.”

“Thank you, Rick.”

“Don’t leave without me!” Marilyn yelled, walking out of the tea shop.

Sheila was close behind her, pulling a large, boxy suitcase over the rocky path.

Addy took a deep breath. “Did you hear the good news, Mom?”

“Yes! I’m delighted!” Marilyn walked to the passenger door and opened it. “Finally, some luxury. You know, in my younger years, I rode in cars like this all the time. Limousines, town cars. I dated a man who wouldn’t let me lift a finger. Always sent his driver for me, like I was a queen.”

A queen of what, Addy had no idea. Collecting boyfriends, maybe.

“Tomorrow I can try to talk to Lawrence and figure out what company you were working with,” Addy said.

“Thank you, Adelaide. I always know I can go to you when I need help.” She placed a hand on Addy’s cheek and patted it.

Addy turned to get the suitcase, but Rick was already loading it into the trunk.

“Oh, thank you,” she said.

How many times was she going to have to thank this guy? She was a broken record, mumbling and muttering like a servant to her mother’s queen.

He nodded, opening the back passenger door for her. Using her good arm, she pulled herself up and slipped onto the leather seat.

“I could get used to this,” Marilyn said, the front seat humming as she adjusted it backward into Addy’s legs.

Addy scooted to the other seat. “You’ve changed your tune. I thought you said Rick couldn’t be trusted.”

“The man has a nice car, Adelaide. That’s something I wouldn’t take for granted.”

Addy sighed and rolled her eyes. There was no point in arguing. It would only leave her doubting herself and feeling guilty. Best to smile, nod, and get through the day.

It took four hours to get her mom set up at the inn.

First, they got her luggage into her room, then she announced she was hungry.

They popped into the restaurant next door, and during the meal she asked if they’d take her grocery shopping.

Then, she wanted Addy to show her where the bus stop was, in case she decided to do some sightseeing.

After that, she wanted to see if there was a nail salon in town and what their prices were.

Catering to her mom was one thing, but doing it in front of a stranger made Addy feel exposed.

Mercifully, Rick didn’t betray any annoyance. He only spoke when spoken to – which wasn’t often, as her mom had a lot to say about her recent travels and schemes. In some ways, it was easier having him there than her ex-husband.

Shane used to sigh, and roll his eyes, and make faces. It was a point of contention when her mother showed up, and though Addy did her best to keep the peace, it wasn’t always possible. Short of kicking her out while engaging a screaming match, he would never have been happy.

When they were finally walking back to the car without Marilyn, Rick spoke up. “Shouldn’t we get your arm sling?”

She sighed. “I’m sure you’re exhausted. I can get it another time.”

“I’m fine. There’s a pharmacy just there.” He nodded, squinting into the sun.

They walked to the pharmacy and she picked out a sling.

“So,” Addy said, shoving the sling into her purse, “where are you from?”

“Kansas.”

“Ah.” She nodded. “I’ve been to Topeka. It’s lovely.”

“It is.”

They got back to the car, Rick looking over his shoulder as he opened the door for her.

“Thank you.”

He looped around the back

“Russell’s driveway is right before the tea shop.”

He nodded.

She looked out the window. As much as Addy wanted to say something useful, her mind was blank. For the first moment that day, Addy missed her mother. She had filled the silence.

“Do you mind if I turn on the radio?” she asked.

He shook his head. “It’s all yours.”

She clicked it on, and a song her daughter Riley liked rang out. She closed her eyes for a moment, the stress of the last few hours leaving her body as she sank into the seat.