Page 3 of Spotted at Lighthouse Bay
“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 anoof. “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.
