A Spot at Starlight Beach (Spotted Cottage #3)

Twenty-six

It was lucky Russell had offered his house for them to get ready. Even grabbing their things at Granny’s cottage was a cramped mad dash.

“One of my shoes is missing!” Emma yelled.

“Shelby! That’s my mascara!”

“I was just going to carry it over for you,” Shelby hissed.

Mackenzie already had her go-bag packed and her dress hanging on the grab handle in her car.

She didn’t have time for arguments. She needed to be ready for anything, because she knew everything was going to fall apart. She just didn’t know when.

At Russell’s house, the guys knew to keep out of the way – for the most part. Joey sat on the couch, fielding calls from party guests arriving at various nearby airports. Russell walked around with a silver tray filled with champagne flutes.

He stopped next to Mackenzie, seated at the kitchen island, a black towel draped over his forearm. “Champagne for the lady?”

Mackenzie glanced at him. “Why am I the only one worried about this ball? It was your idea.”

“I hire the best so I don’t have to worry,” he said with a shrug.

“Don’t try to flatter me, Westwood.” Bubbles fizzed up the glass. “You left me a huge mess and went to Europe to party.”

“I know.” He frowned and picked up a glass. “Hey, did you know your mom had this champagne in a café in Paris? She loved it so much I bought a case, just for this occasion.”

Mackenzie snatched the glass from him. “Now you’re using my mom’s happiness against me?”

She took a sip. Either his story had gotten to her or this was the best glass of champagne she’d ever had.

“Not against you, Mackenzie. Never against you. With you. To buoy you.” He set down the tray. “I didn’t expect things to get this bad. I’m happy to compensate you for your extra time and emotional distress.”

She sighed, setting the empty glass back on his tray. “I’m not after money, Russell.”

“Oh. What are you after?”

Mackenzie narrowed her eyes. “Everything. I want everything.”

A laugh sputtered out of him. “Oh. I’ll see what I can do.”

Eliza swooped in, grabbing a glass of champagne. “Just tell her she’s the best and she’ll be happy.”

Russell turned to her. “You’re quite literally the best, Mackenzie. You’ve single-handedly saved this operation over and over.”

“Thank you.” Mackenzie scrunched her nose, but couldn’t hide her smile. “I’m going to expect a glowing reference for my next position.”

“Done!”

Sheila walked in, carrying a Tiffany-blue box in her arms. “Big surprise, everyone!”

Granny sat in a chair at the dining room table. She turned to look over her shoulder. “Surprise, surprise. You were supposed to finish curling my hair.”

“It’s curled,” Sheila said, dropping the box on the table. “I’ve got the hairspray here.”

A few spritzes, then she opened the box. “When I was abroad, I bought a finishing touch for everyone to add to their outfits. No pressure if you don’t like yours, but I couldn’t resist.”

She reached into the box and pulled out a pink and white floral crown.

“This is for you, Patty. I know you love flowers in your hair, and I saw it at the market in Waterloo and…”

Granny clapped her hands together. “Put it on! Put it on!”

Sheila delicately balanced it on her head, pinning it into place. She handed Granny a mirror. “What do you think?”

“I think I’m going to be the belle of the ball.”

The room erupted into laughter. She stood up and kissed Sheila on the cheek, leaving an imprint of red lipstick. “Thank you. I love it.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Me next, Mom!” Emma stepped forward. Her skin was an unnaturally even shade, layered with thick foundation. Her eyebrows were painted on dark, but her eyes were yet to be touched, making them look comically small. “What’d you get me?”

“I know your dress has rose gold accents, so I got you something to match.” She pulled a rose gold bangle from the box. It was open, with tear drops on both ends. The pink gold caught in the light.

Emma slipped it up her arm, stopping above her elbow. “I love it! Thank you, Mom!”

She managed to kiss her cheek before Shelby hip-butted her out of the way. “Me next.”

Sheila reached into the box, grinning. “These are chandelier earrings they let me keep from the movie.”

Shelby shrieked, grabbing them. “I love them! Thank you!”

“Eliza?”

“I don’t need anything, Mom.”

She smiled. “I know you don’t need anything, but I found an Edwardian-era ring that reminded me of you.”

The black velvet box popped open. Inside was a silver ring with a clear, oval-cut sparkling stone surrounded by intricate filigree.

Eliza gasped, slipping it on. “Mom! It’s so pretty!”

Joey appeared over her shoulder. “That is pretty.”

“Do you like it?” Eliza asked, holding her hand to his face. “I feel like a queen.”

“Is that a diamond?” Joey asked, scratching the back of his head.

Sheila shook her head. “No. I had moissanite fitted into it.”

“Eliza would never want a diamond ring,” Mackenzie said, biting her lip and staring him down.

Joey’s eyes darted between them. “She wouldn’t?”

Eliza patted him on the shoulder. “No, dear. You know I don’t like impractical things.”

“Ah, right.” He frowned. “Impractical.”

Mackenzie thought it’d be fun to get ready with everyone, but she could hardly sit in her seat. Her leg was numb from jiggling.

She stood up. “Mom, I appreciate you’re really good at giving gifts, but I need to get going and I can’t—”

Sheila held up a finger, then placed a purple bag in Mackenzie’s hand. “This one is for you, sweetie.”

Mackenzie sighed and pulled the drawstrings open. She tipped the bag over and out toppled a silver comb covered in delicate silver and white flowers. Each petal was its own wisp of silver, pearls dotted throughout.

“That’s gorgeous.”

“I thought you might like to have a little something.”

She smiled. “I love it. Thank you.”

Shelby trotted over. “I can get it to stay in your hair. Just give me five minutes.”

She smiled. “Sure, fine. Then I’m gone.”

True to her word, Shelby attached the little comb in Mackenzie’s hair using a web of clear hair ties and silver pins.

Mackenzie looked in the mirror, turning her head and staring. “This is so classy. We need to send you to Europe more often, Mom.”

“I agree.” She laughed and kissed her on the cheek. “Okay, my beautiful girl. We’ll see you at the ball!”

“See you all there on your best behavior!” she said, walking out the door. “And remember—none of you are VIPs, so stay in the tent.”

“But we’re VIPs in your heart, right?” Eliza asked, looking up with wide eyes.

Mackenzie waved a hand. “Yeah, sure.”

Three hours until the guests arrived. Mackenzie bumped up the rocky driveway to Saltwater Cove, her dress hanging in the backseat of her car, her eyes scanning for danger.

Something was bound to catch fire. Or the barn could fall down. Her hands buzzed and tingled. Something disastrous was going to happen.

She parked near the house and got out of the car. Birds chirped, and the sun peeked out from behind a rolling white cloud.

Far too peaceful.

“Why, hello there!” Margie said. This time she wore a flowing white dress and a wide-brimmed straw hat.

“Hi, Margie. How are things?”

“Things?” She put her hands on her hips. “Things are great. How are you? ”

Mackenzie slammed the door to her car shut. “I’m a little on edge, to be honest.”

A smile spread across Margie’s face. “Like a bride on her wedding day. Don’t fear, Mackenzie! We’re all professionals here.”

“I’m not doubting you, I just—”

“No offense taken.” She waved a hand. “Come with me. I will ease your fears, one by one.”

Mackenzie followed her, feeling very much like a toddler on a tour at a museum.

They started at the barn. Golden painted chairs stood at the ready, the tables draped in white linens. Bursts of pink roses and white hydrangeas dotted vases throughout.

“How did you get hydrangeas?” Mackenzie asked.

“I’ve got connections,” Margie said with a smile.

Bistro lights cast a warm glow on the enormous hanging banners of Lottie’s past, present, and future.

“I added a painting of her cute little face, too,” Margie said, motioning to a large canvas showing Lottie with her head above water, popping her tongue out. “I thought we could do a raffle for it and raise a little more money.”

“That’s a great idea,” Mackenzie said, shaking her head. “I should’ve thought of it.”

Margie laughed. “You’re going to need to learn to let go a little, Mackenzie. There’s nothing wrong with leaning on your friends.”

She forced a smile. “You might be right.”

Margie was on top of everything – the food would be ready early. The band was already set up. The red carpet was staged and secured. Little cookies shaped like orcas were ready to be handed out as people left the party.

Everything was perfect.

“Why don’t you go inside,” Margie said, leading her to the house, “have a cup of tea, and get yourself ready?”

“Do you mind?”

“Not at all.”

Mackenzie fetched her dress and, inside the house, Chief Hank led her to an empty bedroom.

“I was told to prepare a cup of tea for you,” he said. “A hot toddy, perhaps? To help you relax?”

Mackenzie snorted a laugh. “Margie helped me relax, thanks.”

Her sisters had already done her hair and makeup. All she had to do was squeeze into her dress. She unzipped the garment bag and stared at it.

Perhaps she’d gone too bold with this, the floor-length gown in stunning red satin, a plunging neckline and ruffles at the shoulder.

When she’d initially rented it, it seemed like it’d be fun. Something glamorous for perhaps the only glamorous event she’d ever attend.

Looking at it now, however, she might’ve rented her way into looking like a gift bag stuffed with tissue paper.

She sighed. If her dress was the biggest disaster of the night, she’d be thankful. She wrestled her way into it and zipped up the side, then slipped out the door and back to the kitchen.

“Please don’t make fun of me, I can’t –”

A man stood in the kitchen in a sleek black tuxedo. He turned slightly, the light catching his chiseled features.

She stopped, her mind casting itself high to low. Who was this guy? One of Russell’s movie star friends, crashing the party? How did he get in the house, and why was he so early?

“Mackenzie.” Liam bowed his head slightly. “You look stunning.”

“Liam.” Her breath hitched in her chest. It had to be the dress. It was too tight. “You got a haircut.”

He let out a small laugh, looking down. “Yeah, well. Anything for Lottie.”

“You look nice.” She cleared her throat, her heart pounding in her chest. “I thought you were…”

“Sorry. Was I not supposed to be here? I’d just finished helping Margie with a painting.”

“What painting?”

“She’d asked if I could donate a painting of Lottie and –”

“You made that?” She knew her mouth was hanging open, but she couldn’t shut it. “It’s beautiful.”

He scrunched his nose. “I don’t think I did her justice.”

“You did.”

“Margie convinced me to set up an easel on the cove, too. She said the starlight on the beach makes for very pretty scenes.” He paused. “Maybe you’ll have a moment this evening to meet me there?”

Those eyes of his, full of warmth and mischief. The cut of his jacket emphasized his broad shoulders. His neatly trimmed hair stood slightly tousled, and his lips, always on the verge of a smile.

“Starlight Beach. I’d love to.” She cleared her throat. Her head felt ready to pop. She needed to sit down. “Excuse me, sorry.”

She turned, walking back to the bedroom and shutting the door.

Why was Liam so helpful? Making a beautiful painting of Lottie like that. Doing the fliers. Showing up early.

And since when was he so… handsome?

Mackenzie stood with her back against the door, taking deep breaths. She’d known there was a disaster coming to this ball. She hadn’t known it would be her.