Page 9 of The Cottage on Plum Island
“I see.” The doctor nodded and took his tablet from the nurse.
“She was in a mental health facility in Boston and was doing well until—“ He cleared his throat. “Until she tried to kill her sister, who was visiting her.”
CHAPTER 3
Jennifer drove to the lighthouse, taking her best friend Caroline Shaw’s pets home to wait for her and her family, who were returning from their vacation in half an hour. The German Shepherd, Sandy, sat in the back of Jennifer’s SUV with her head out the window, enjoying the wind blowing against her face. The large ginger-striped tabby, Melton, slept beside Sandy, enjoying the ride.
“Too fast! Too Fast!” Blue Beard, a large blue and red Macaw, squawked from his seatbelt-secured cage beside Melton. “Slow down. Bad driver! Bad driver.” There was a flapping of wings. “We’re going to die. We’re going to die.”
“Stop it, Blue Beard!” Jennifer glanced at the offensive bird in the mirror. “Or I’m going to include parrot on my menu tonight.”
“Where’s the parrot?” Blue Beard squawked back. “Where’s the parrot?”
“I meant Macaw,” Jennifer said impatiently. “You rude bird!”
“Bad driver! Bad driver!” Blue Beard shouted back.
“Good grief!” Jennifer shook her head. “Talk about a backseat driver.” She looked at Blue Beard, who was hanging onto the side of his cage by his claws and beak. “Wow! You are such a drama queen.”
She breathed a sigh of relief when she pulled into the driveway of the Cobble Cove Lighthouse and drew to a stop. Jennifer let Sandy and Melton out of the car first before walking around to the other side and taking Blue Beard’s cage.
“Come on, nervous Nelly, let’s get you inside.” Jennifer fidgeted in her purse to find the key to Caroline’s house.
She unlocked the back door and quickly stood aside, knowing how excited Sandy and Melton got when they got home after being away from it for some time. And they’d been staying with Caroline’s brother, Finn, for over three weeks. Sandy and Melton shot into the house like bullets, running all over like crazy animals.
Jennifer shook her head. She had just stepped inside when Blue Beard let himself out of his cage to join his furry friends in the fun. She hung his cage on the hook beside the living room window, admiring the view of the cliff dropping off into the ocean.
“The bird has the best view,” Jennifer mumbled.
She walked into the kitchen to the far side, set up for the animals to eat, and poured them some fresh water.
“Caroline or Jules can give them something to eat,” Jennifer said, putting Melton’s water bowl beside Sandy’s. She stood up and dusted her hands together. “Okay, now to order some takeout from the Cobble Cove Restaurant for Caroline and her family for lunch.”
Ten minutes later, Jennifer sat on the front porch, sipping a glass of iced tea, when Sandy started barking excitedly and rushing toward the back door. Jennifer stood and followed the excited dog, almost being knocked over as Melton rushed past her. She skillfully ducked, knowing Blue Beard wouldn’t be far behind, and he perched himself on Sandy’s back.
Crazy animals!Jennifer pulled open the back door and waited for the dash outside before walking after them. A smile curled her lips when she saw Caroline and Jules pile out of the car. Jennifer was so happy that her best friend was home at last. She stepped outside, and Jules, Caroline’s fifteen-year-old daughter, threw herself into Jennifer’s arms.
“Hello, Aunt Jen. It’s so good to see you!” Jules gave Jennifer a tight squeeze before turning her attention to her pets. “Hey, there’s my amazing trio!”
“Hi, Jen,” Caroline called from the car.
“Hi, you!” Jennifer stepped around the reunion and greeted Caroline, who walked to the car trunk and popped it open. “It’s so good to see you.”
She embraced Caroline before helping her with the luggage.
“Jules,” Caroline called her daughter. “Come help us, please.”
“On my way,” Jules called back, jumping to her feet and walking toward her.
Jules’s faithful trio plodded along beside her. As usual, Blue Beard, the lazy bird, was perched on Sandy’s back.
“How has Sandy not gotten bald spots where that bird perches on her back?” Jennifer shook her head in amazement.
“Sometimes he leaves welts, but we treat them and put a harness on her back where Blue Beard rests,” Caroline explained. “But Sandy hates the thing and tries to bite it off.”
“Oh, yes, I’ve seen it,” Jennifer remembered as they entered the house. “I’ve ordered lunch for you and Jules. Although I ordered a lot because I thought Brad and Connor would be joining you.”
“They’ll be here later,” Caroline told her. “And thank you. That was thoughtful of you, as I’m starved and too exhausted to go to the store to get groceries.”
