Page 71 of An Accidental Love Affair

Nicole entered the terminal, her eyes scanning for her friend, Laura. She spied her standing off to the side, speaking with a young man. She walked over to join them. “Mind if I come to the party?”

Laura turned to her, emitting a loud squeal. “Nicole, you’re here.”

She smiled. “So I am.” She nodded to her friend’s companion. “Are you going to introduce

me to your friend?”

Laura turned back to the boy. “This is Phillip, but he likes to go by Pip. He works for the airline and has agreed to help us find out the personal information we need for Colin Woodhouse.”

Nicole frowned. “Thanks, Pip, but that’s not necessary. I wouldn’t want you to get in trouble or lose your job.”

“I won’t lose my job as long as no one discovers where you got the information.”

Laura patted his shoulder. “We won’t tell a soul, luv.”

Nicole shook her head. “I just need his address in the country. I can handle the rest from there.”

“We’ve already got you covered. His family owns an estate in Cornwall. If you catch the train, you can be there in two hours.”

“I’m not heading there straightaway.”

“Why ever not? You need to strike while the iron is hot, Nicole.”

Nicole pressed her lips together. “I’m not ready yet. I need a day or two to build up my courage.”

Laura tilted her head, cutting her eyes to Pip. “She’s procrastinating again. I thought she’d be over that by now, having four book titles under her belt. She’s been plugging away at her computer non-stop for over a year, but she decides now is a good time to backslide into Procrastination Station.”

“It’s not that.”

“Yes, it is. You’re worried about when you see him again, aren’t you?”

Nicole scuffed her foot. “Well, yeah.”

Laura took Nicole’s bag from her shoulder, walking away. “He’s just a guy, Nicole. No better or worse than any other.” She waved Pip off. “Thanks for your help, luv.” She winked at him as he turned away.

Nicole sprinted after her friend. “He stole my manuscript.”

“Yeah, I forgot about that.”

Nicole’s eyes narrowed. “I haven’t. When I think about how he laid into me over the cottage, and then turned around stealing my story, I want to scream.”

“So scream, Nicole. Scream until your lungs ache. You’ll feel loads better, I’m sure.”

She took a deep breath, about to do just that, when she noticed airport security approaching.

“What is the trouble?” one of them asked. “Is everything all right, Miss? You look like you’re in some distress.”

“I’m sorry, sir,” Nicole replied, embarrassed for the attention she’d garnered. One stupid impulse could’ve landed her in a heap of trouble. “Just a momentary lack of sense.” She grabbed Laura’s hand, moving away and bending her head toward her friend’s ear. “That’s the last time I take advice from you,” she giggled, but she did feel better.

They began to walk again, airport security following a few paces behind. “I’ll leave tonight, but you must come with me, Laura. I don’t want to face him alone.”

Her friend laughed. “Of course I’ll come with. I’ve always wanted to see inside one of those fancy country houses.”

Nicole beamed at her friend. “We can stay at the cottage. Mrs. Woodhouse gave me the gate code when she sent me the deed of ownership. It might be a little dusty, but it’ll save us money on a room at the inn.”

“That sounds like a solid plan.” Laura glanced at Nicole out of the corner of her eye. “What do you think Mr. Hollywood will say when you hand him the deed to the place?”

Her mouth took on a stubborn cast. “Who cares?”

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