Page 8 of Spotted at Lighthouse Bay
“I’m not sure what the story is with the money yet.”
“Let me tell you something,” Sheila said, voice low. “The last time I let Mom stay in my house was when I was selling it. She refused to leave and I had to pack up all of her stuff on closing day and move it out myself! I amnotletting her stay with us. Not at Patty’s cottage, and certainly not at Russell’s house. If you let her in, you will never be rid of her.”
Addy bit her lip. “Tell me how you really feel.”
Sheila let out a huff. “That is how I really feel. I know she’s our mom, but you can’t get sucked in. She takes and takes and takes.”
“I know, Sheila. Don’t worry. We’ll find somewhere for her to stay.”
She sighed, leaning against the counter. “Tell me more about this bodyguard. What was the threat?”
Addy shrugged. “Something about Shane’s wife being in trouble if he made the wrong decision.”
“What?” Sheila scowled. “That doesn’t make sense.”
“Shane seemed to think it was more likely about his new live-in girlfriend, not me. They still sent someone to watch over me until the case is over.”
Sheila’s mouth fell open. “Oh, Addy. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine,” she said, voice too high again. “We’re not together anymore. It’s not like I was holding out hope we’d rekindle our love affair.”
“But still. It stinks.”
It did stink, but Addy wasn’t going to dwell on it.
Patty pushed her way into the kitchen. “I couldn’t help but overhear what you two were talking about.”
“Overhear? You never hear anything when I’m trying to talk to you,” Sheila said.
Patty waved a rag at her. “It’s because you always try to talk to me when I’m washing dishes. Don’t you worry, Adelaide. I know plenty of eligible bachelors on the island and I’m a very successful matchmaker.”
Sheila and Addy met eyes. “Oh?”
“You never would have met Russell if it weren’t for me, Sheila,” Patty said. “You’re welcome.”
Sheila laughed. “You’re right. You’re a matchmaker.”
Patty grinned. “Thank you.”
Addy had no interest in being matched. She had no interest in a bodyguard, or in Shane’s love life, or –
“There’s a note in this bottle!” Marilyn called out. “Here let me – hang on, I can do it. I just need to grip it right…”
No!That was not happening. Not on top of everything else.
Addy kicked the kitchen door open, napkins fluttering in her wake.
Four
When they’d told him Adelaide’s sister was dating Russell Westwood, Rick had had his concerns. Celebrities brought drama, but surprisingly, Russell seemed to be the most normal one in the bunch. Or, at least, the quietest.
Marilyn’s face reddened, her long nails clutching at the bottle’s cork. Rick leaned against the wall, arms crossed, as the swinging door came to life yet again.
Adelaide stood in the opening, her eyes narrowed on her mother, her chest heaving with quick, short breaths.
The muscles in his shoulders tensed. Had something happened?
“I can’t believe how good it’s stuck in there!” Marilyn said. She held the bottle up to Rick. “You’ve got muscles. Maybe you can help me.”
