A Spot at Starlight Beach (Spotted Cottage #3)

Two

The tea shop was their moment of refuge. Dark wood, heavy chairs, and little silver bells on the tables. The air was warm, but not too warm, and smelled of cinnamon.

Cameron peeked through the window. A minivan sat in the parking lot, lights on and engine humming.

“I can’t believe they were so blatant about following us here.” Cameron tried to pull the curtains closed over the windows, but they refused to budge. “Does this happen to you all the time?”

Bailey Jo shrugged. “It depends. It’s gotten worse since I did the Super Bowl. People recognize me everywhere now. I’m sure it’ll die down eventually…”

“Amazing performance, by the way.” Cameron put a hand to his chest. “I was blown away.”

She smiled. “Thank you.”

A wrinkled lady strode out of a swinging door. Her cheeks were rosy red, and she had spectacles perched on the edge of her nose.

“Here for some tea?” she asked.

Bailey Jo stepped forward. “I love your apron!”

The woman looked down at the pink-and-white striped smock. “Thank you! Made it myself.”

“It’s lovely. My grandma used to make us aprons like that.”

A second woman, this one much younger, walked out from the swinging door and stopped dead when she saw Bailey Jo.

“You can sit wherever you like,” the older woman said. “I’ll get some menus.”

“We’re actually not here for tea,” Cameron said, stepping forward. “I was hoping to catch Russell.”

“I’m afraid Russell isn’t stateside.” She nodded to a chalkboard with a hand-drawn pot of tea and a list of flavors. “We’ve got an orange chai this month you won’t want to miss.”

“Granny…” The younger woman cleared her throat, her voice barely above a whisper. “That’s Bailey Jo Collins.”

Granny looked back, smiling. “Is she a friend of yours?”

“No,” she stammered, “she’s a brilliant singer and—”

The front door opened and four women burst in. They stood in a gaggle, whispering.

This was only going to keep escalating. Cameron sighed. “May we go somewhere more private?”

The younger woman nodded eagerly. “This way.”

She led them through a glass door and onto a patio overlooking the sea. Black wrought iron tables stood against the wind as light danced on the water in the distance.

“Sorry about that.” Cameron offered a handshake. “I think some fans followed us from Friday Harbor. I’m Cameron Walters.”

“Eliza Dennet,” she said with a smile, turning away from him and toward Bailey Jo. “It’s so nice to meet you, Bailey Jo. I’m a huge fan, I think you’re awesome, and I love your music.”

“That’s so kind,” Bailey Jo said, extending a handshake. “It’s nice to meet you, too. I love your tea shop!”

Granny appeared, slamming the glass door behind her, a plate stacked with speckled scones in her hand. “Don’t be shy—take a seat. Eliza just pulled these from the oven.”

Bailey Jo walked to a table, following the sweet-faced grandma like a baby duck after its mother.

Cameron tapped Eliza on the shoulder.

She stayed behind, but her eyes lingered on Bailey Jo. “Can I help you?”

“I didn’t mean to drop in on you like this,” he said in a low voice. “I work for a travel company called Opuluxe Escapes. Bailey Jo came to me as a potential client, and I’m trying to close my sale.”

“Oh?” Her eyes darted to the table where Bailey Jo and her new grandma were huddled over the plate of scones.

Cameron went on. “Bailey Jo is a wildlife enthusiast – eagles, bears, whales. All that jazz. I’m trying to charter a polar cruise for her, and I wanted to check if the sea pen site would be useful for one of the stops. She heard about that whale you have up there and she’s very intrigued.”

“You mean Lottie?” Eliza asked with a frown. “We don’t have her here. Not yet.”

He waved a hand. “I’m sure there are other whales. Anyway, Bailey Jo wanted to make sure she’d be welcome, and that it wouldn’t be too difficult for her mom to get around. She walks with a cane and – it doesn’t matter. I emailed Russell Westwood a few weeks ago. He said we could stop by.”

Eliza sucked in a breath. “Russell. Right. Uh, he’s not here right now.”

A face in the window caught his eye – a woman’s forehead drawn tight, her lips pursed into a scowl. She mouthed something at Eliza, who shook her head vigorously in return.

The door to the patio flew open and the woman emerged. “Why is there a group of rowdy women in the lobby?”

“Mackenzie, this is Cameron,” Eliza said. She jerked her head to the side. “He’s working for Bailey Jo Collins!”

Mackenzie peered over her shoulder. “Okay.”

There were far too many people to deal with at this place. How many employees did one tea shop need? And where was Russell?

“Hey there, Mackenzie. It’s nice to meet you,” Cameron said, forcing a smile. “I was just telling Eliza that I talked to Russell a few weeks ago. He was open to the sea pen becoming a stop on our luxury polar cruise.”

“Uh huh.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Russell isn’t around, so you’ll have to check back in a few weeks.”

Cameron blinked at her, the smile frozen on his face. “I was told there’s a pilot who can take us out there for a look? Maybe I’ll talk to him.”

“Not right now, no.” She shook her head.

“Mackenzie…” Eliza hissed. “This is Bailey Jo. ”

“What are you girls whispering about?” Granny yelled. “Don’t be rude. Come over here! Talk to Bailey! And grab a scone while they’re hot!”

Eliza spun, taking off toward the table. Cameron managed to grab Mackenzie’s elbow.

She turned and glared at him, her lips twisted.

“I don’t expect you to get it,” he said quietly. “You’re not interested in what I’m selling, but I have to try. I’m a salesman. Bailey Jo is my biggest client, and I have to put together a special experience.”

Mackenzie pulled her arm away. “I’m a saleswoman myself, so I do get it.”

He tilted his head to the side. “Are you? What do you sell?”

“Software.” She shrugged. “I’m taking a break from it right now.”

“Interesting. I’ve heard selling tech is one of the easiest things to make a living in.” He locked eyes with her. “Sells itself, almost.”

Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. “Does it? Because I’d think selling overpriced cruises to the rich and famous might be a bit easier.”

A gust of wind blew through his hair, drying the sweat on his forehead. He smiled. “That almost sounds like a challenge.”

Mackenzie crossed her arms over her chest. “You know, it does.”

She walked past him and took a seat at the table. “Hi, I’m Mackenzie Dennet. I’m in charge of the sea pen operations until Russell gets back. Would you like some tea?”

“No, thank you. I don’t mean to be a bother,” Bailey Jo said.

Cameron stood behind Bailey Jo, blocking the peering eyes from the tea shop.

“It’s no bother at all. It’s what we do here.” Mackenzie flashed her white teeth. “Cameron tells me you’re an animal lover?”

“I am! I’m hoping to take a polar cruise this year. It’s on my mom’s bucket list – just something really special we can do together.”

“There’s one place you won’t be seeing me,” Granny said with a laugh. “The North Pole! Too cold!”

Cameron bit his lip. There was a Mrs. Claus joke in there, but he wasn’t going to try it.

“How did you hear about Lottie?” Mackenzie asked.

“Friends, mostly,” Bailey Jo said. “I’m fascinated with what Russell is doing. Inspired, really. Has he gotten her out of that amusement park yet?”

“Not yet. She’s supposed to be transported in a few weeks.” Mackenzie sat back. “We have a team of researchers and veterinarians planning her return. The idea is to retire her, in a way. Keep her safe in the sea pen while increasing her quality of life. I’m sure they’d love to talk to you.”

Cameron glanced down. Bailey Jo was beaming. Eating this up.

Unbelievable.

“I always wanted to be a marine biologist,” Bailey Jo said. “I think that’s what I would’ve done if my music hadn’t taken off. Sometimes I feel like I should still go back to school. Do something that matters.”

“But you do do something that matters. I love your music!” Eliza said breathlessly. “You bring so much joy to peoples’ lives.”

“Can’t downplay the importance of that,” Granny said. “Even if you can’t always see it for yourself.”

“Thank you.” Bailey Jo smiled. “That means a lot.”

Cameron could feel a glare boring into him. He looked up. It was Mackenzie, giving him the side eye.

She was smiling too.

He clenched his jaw. Why did it feel like he was getting outplayed here? Why wasn’t she fawning over Bailey Jo like a normal person?

Mackenzie leaned in. “You know, the researchers do a trip up to the arctic every year. Or at least, they try to – if they have the funding.”

“That is so neat!”

“You could go with them. Be part of the research. It’d really be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’m sure they’d roll out the red carpet for you and your mom.”

Bailey Jo’s eyes widened. “Really? Would they want to do that?”

Cameron cut in. “I’m sure that’d be fun, but the level of comfort on those boats can’t compare to a chartered ship.”

Mackenzie shrugged. “I bet you could charter any boat you wanted. The researchers might like a little comfort.”

“I don’t mind roughing it. I grew up on a farm.”

“Hey, whatever you prefer.” She pulled her phone out of her pocket. “But it would be more unique than some cookie-cutter boat trip.”

Cameron held his breath. Surely she was going to ask for a selfie? Show some semblance of normalcy around this mega-star?

“I’ll text Inge. She’s one of the whale researchers we’re working with. Maybe they’re planning to make a trip after Lottie is settled…”

She cannot be serious. Cameron sucked in a breath. Mackenzie was stealing his sale!

“Thanks so much for that, Mackenzie,” Cameron said, clearing his throat. “I’ll take her number. I’m happy to coordinate everything.”

“There’s no need,” Mackenzie said with a gracious smile. Her phone dinged, and she paused to read a message. “She’s at the sea pen site right now. You could pop in and say hello. What do you say?”

“That sounds amazing, ” Bailey Jo said with a grin.

“Great! I can ask our pilot to give you a lift. He should be around here somewhere.”

Granny stood. “Let me pack some treats for you and Inge! It’s not every day we get a star at the tea shop.”

“Unless you count Russell,” Eliza said.

“I stopped counting him ages ago,” Granny said with a chuckle.

Bailey Jo stood. “Do you mind if I use your restroom before we go?”

Eliza shot to her feet. “I can show you where it is!”

He watched the three of them disappear into the tea shop. Mackenzie sat, focused on her phone, texting away, not a care in the world.

Cameron should have been mad, but he was too intrigued.

“I have to hand it to you,” he said. “You stole that sale right out from under me.”

“It was for the greater good.” Mackenzie stood, dusting off her shoulder with her hand, a smirk on her face. “I mean…you kind of asked for it.”

He laughed. “I kind of did ask for it.” The only thing worse than a sore loser was a charming winner. “I clearly underestimated the finesse you acquired in tech sales.”

“Clearly.”

“Are you looking for a new position? In sales?”

She paused. “I am, but not right now. For the next few weeks, I’m helping Russell with this project.”

“How about after you’re done stealing sales here, you come and work for me?”

She laughed and pulled open the door to the tea shop, waving him in. “Yeah. I’ll think about it.”

“I’m serious.” He followed her inside. “Someone as charming, quick-thinking, and beautiful as yourself won’t be on the market for long.”

The group of women had doubled in size, their voices bouncing off one another in the lobby, crowding the small space.

“You talk about me like I’m the hottest house on the market,” Mackenzie said.

“Not a house, no. Maybe a Porsche.” Coincidentally, Cameron had always wanted a Porsche.

The front door opened, forcing two scowling women forward.

A man peeked in, shimmying behind them. He had a bag slung over his shoulder and a pair of black sunglasses covering his eyes.

Cameron’s throat tightened. If he didn’t know any better, he would swear that was Liam Yorkley.

As if his luck couldn’t get any worse.

He ducked his head low, beneath the crowd. “I think I’ll sneak Bailey Jo through the back, if that’s all right.”

“Sure. I’ll have Joey, our pilot, meet you outside.”

“Consider my offer,” Cameron said, pressing his business card into her palm. “Lovely losing a sale to you, Mackenzie.”

She smiled. “The pleasure was all mine.”

He hated to run just then, but he had no choice. He would be back – and he wasn’t going to take no for an answer.