Page 7 of Spotted at Lighthouse Bay (Spotted Cottage #4)
Rick stood to the side, arms hanging uselessly at his sides. That wouldn’t do. He found the coffee pot and dumped out the old filter and grounds. A rolled bag of coffee stood next to it. He opened it, the sweet aroma filling the air.
“Mugs are in there,” Addy said, pointing to the cupboard.
He pulled out four. Presumably Russell would wake up soon, and Sheila might show up, too.
If no one else wanted coffee, he could drink the entire pot himself. Caffeine had no effect on him. The insomnia left him chronically exhausted. At this point, his body didn’t want to sleep. It would be unfamiliar, too much like a threat.
Russell came down just as Adelaide finished the sandwiches, and Sheila popped through the front door. Their appearance plunged him into a parallel universe. Russell burst into song and grabbed Sheila by the hands, swinging her around.
Like last night during the card game, he caught a glimpse into a life he hadn’t chosen, where people enjoyed breakfast together and meant it when they laughed. Adelaide watched them, cheering, serving up fried egg sandwich after fried egg sandwich.
Rick’s was the first. The edges of the egg were slightly browned and perfectly crispy. Melted cheese oozed over the edges of toast. Adelaide lined his plate with fresh strawberries and blueberries.
It beat a dry protein bar, and he didn’t have to sing or dance for his.
Once Russell finished his song, he released Sheila to settle in with Adelaide and babble a mile a minute.
From what Rick could pick up on, their mother had already begun requests for the day, but Adelaide had staved her off by telling her they were going to Bellingham to talk to Lawrence about the missing money.
“Mom’s being very cagey about it all,” Adelaide said, taking a sip of coffee. “She keeps telling me not to mention her missing money to him.”
“She’s up to something.” Sheila shook her head. “I’m not looking forward to figuring out what that is.”
Rick got up to pour a second cup of coffee as the front door opened. A young man walked in.
Rick moved quickly, stepping in front of Adelaide. “Can I help you?”
“Oh, hi. I’m Joey, Russell’s pilot.” He stopped and smiled a half smile. “Are you the bodyguard?”
“I am.” He lowered his shoulders and stepped back.
“Sorry. I forgot to mention,” Russell said, clearing his throat. “Joey has the other bedroom upstairs. He flies a seaplane for me. We have a project on Stuart Island.”
“Have you heard about Lottie the whale?” Sheila asked.
Rick shook his head.
“She’s an orca who was captured in these waters decades ago. It’s a long story, but we’re bringing her back.”
Rick stared at her. “To live with you?”
Maybe Russell wasn’t as down to earth as he seemed, wanting a whale as a pet.
Russell laughed, a bit of cheese flying from his mouth. He wiped it away, coughing. “Adelaide will have to catch you up. We’ve got a sea pen built for her to retire into. To let her step away from her life performing.”
Rick grunted. “Lucky whale.”
“It shouldn’t cause any problems for you,” Russell said, then stopped. “Just keep in mind there might be contractors or veterinarians looking for me.”
“Don’t shoot anyone,” Sheila added, smiling.
“I won’t.” Rick walked back to the coffee pot and finished filling his mug.
Joey grabbed a bagel and ate it while chatting. Rick finished his coffee and got the plates into the dishwasher.
“You don’t need to clean up,” Adelaide hissed, trying to beat him to the last empty mug.
“You cooked. It’s only fair.”
She stopped trying to pull the mug from his hand and sighed. “Fine.”
They grabbed their coats and Joey led them down to the beach. The seaplane floated at the end of the dock, white paint blinding in the sun.
Another plus to being a star. Convenience.
“Thanks for taking us, Joey,” Adelaide said. “Have things been busy?”
“Very. Not to complain,” he said, stooping to untie the plane. “I like it. But I’ll have to pick you up about an hour or two after I drop you off. Is that okay?”
“Of course! I appreciate it.” She turned to Rick. “Do you want to sit up front?”
“No, I’m all right.”
“I insist! You have to get the best views on your first flight over the islands.”
Before he could protest, she had climbed into the back seat of the plane.
She wasn’t one for listening, that Adelaide. He got up front, put on a headset, and within minutes, they were in the air, soaring over the little green islands dotting the deep waters.
Joey was another talker. Was that a requirement for living on the island? Blabbing your life story?
Rick still liked it here, but he’d have to move to one of the less populated islands. Get a few acres. It would be just him and the water every night. Maybe a few dogs. He could go weeks without seeing another person.
He wasn’t supposed to isolate like that, though. It made the nightmares worse. Among other things…
Maybe a cat, too.
They landed in Bellingham and Joey taxied to a dock. “I’ll text you when I’m heading back, but I don’t expect more than two hours, tops.”
“Thanks, Joey!” Adelaide stepped onto the dock.
Rick followed with a thud. A man brushed past them, carrying a fishing rod over his shoulder. Another walked past with a crab trap.
Adelaide put a hand to her forehead to block the sun. “Mia sent a text that she’s here. She has a blue sedan.”
He’d made note of the car as they were landing. Mia stepped out of the driver’s seat and waved.
Sometimes he noticed too many things. He knew it was Mia, but he still had to pretend. “Is that her?”
“Oh yes, there she is!”
Adelaide raised an arm and waved. Two men encircled Mia, blocking her from view. She pushed one off, but he pressed back in, looping his arm around her shoulders as the other filmed with his phone.
Rick’s stomach tightened. Flipped. Sparks ran up his arms, and numbness filled his fingertips. He forced himself to take a breath.
No, not now. He couldn’t fall apart at the first sign of trouble.
He shut his eyes. Deep breaths. He could see these guys were a threat. Everyone could. He had to react.
The churn in his gut fizzled to a quiver. He opened his eyes. Mia was still ensnarled.
Rick broke into a sprint.