Chapter 4 Lori
LORI
Lori walked back to the kitchen, her mind already planning out her day.
She’d decided to spend it painting on the front porch, where the morning sun slanted through the railings and cast honey-gold patterns across the shiny floorboards.
The light there caught every ripple and foam-cap on the water, perfect for the half-finished seascape waiting on her easel.
Her eyes scanned the horizon, admiring that impossible blue where the ocean met the horizon, the distant sailboat she’d painted with just three delicate brushstrokes.
Perhaps losing herself in the rhythm of color against canvas would silence the anxious thoughts that had circled like restless gulls in her mind since last night.
She was just reaching for her coffee mug when the front door opened.
Lori froze, her fingers hovering above the handle.
She should call out and ask who was there.
Lori’s breath caught in her throat as she refrained from calling out.
It might just be him. The beige windbreaker man they now knew was Elias Dane from a ruthless security firm.
She grabbed a paintbrush instead, its wooden handle slick against her palm.
Her heart hammered as she crept toward the front of the house, torn between hiding in the kitchen and confronting whoever had entered.
When Lori finally peered around the corner, her knees nearly buckled as relief and embarrassment washed through her in equal measure as Tessa walked in with Misty trotting beside her.
“Oh, where did you come from?” Lori asked, surprised as she glanced at the stairs. “I thought you were in your room on your conference call.”
“It finished early,” Tessa said smoothly. “When I looked through my window, I saw Piper and Ryan take Misty next door when they returned from their run, so I went to get her. I want to go for a walk on the beach, and I feel more comfortable taking Misty with me.”
Lori nodded, understanding completely. “I feel safer with Misty, too. She’s got good instincts.” She smiled. “Thank you for getting her.”
The German Shepherd’s tail wagged at the mention of her name, and she came over to press her nose against Lori’s hand.
Lori scratched behind her ears absently, looking out the large living room window at the beach beyond.
A walk actually sounded perfect right now.
Fresh air, exercise, something to clear her head.
“Are you going for a walk right away?” Lori asked, glancing down at her painting outfit and sandals.
“No. I want to put on some shorts and better walking shoes first,” Tessa said, gesturing down at her jeans and casual sneakers. “These aren’t really suited for beach walking.”
“Would you mind if I joined you?” Lori asked. “I think a walk on the beach is just what I need right now.”
“I don’t mind at all,” Tessa said warmly. “I’d love the company. Give me fifteen minutes to change?”
“Perfect. I’ll be ready.” Lori nodded, then went back to the sun room to put her paintbrush down, snorting as she wondered what the hang she would’ve done with it if it had been an intruder.
Her eyes landed on the fire poker by the fireplace.
That would have been a much more useful weapon.
She shook her head, astounded at how jumpy and paranoid she’d become over the last few weeks, then went upstairs to put on a decent beach walking outfit.
Fifteen minutes later, they were walking along the hard-packed sand near the waterline.
Misty, now off-leash, ran ahead of them with her nose to the ground.
The morning sun was warm on Lori’s shoulders, and the sound of the waves was soothing.
For the first time in days, Lori felt some of the tension in her chest beginning to ease.
They walked in comfortable silence for a while, just enjoying the rhythm of their steps and the endless expanse of ocean beside them.
Gulls wheeled overhead, their cries sharp and wild.
The beach was empty, as not many people ventured onto it.
It was designated a private beach for Pelican Bay residents, of whom there were usually just Mitch, Piper, and Carrie.
Occasionally, some of their guests or Nantucket locals got fed up with having to share their beach with summer tourists.
They would come to this hidden gem to relax, soak up some sun, and avoid fighting for a spot with tourists.
They’d been walking for about twenty minutes when Tessa suddenly slowed, her hand coming up to shade her eyes as she looked ahead.
“Is that someone on the rocks?” Tessa asked.
Lori followed her gaze and spotted a figure crouched among the tide pools near the rocky outcropping that jutted into the water. The person wore a floppy hat that looked absurdly large even from this distance.
“Looks like it,” Lori said. “Should we turn back?”
“Maybe we can just walk past without—”
But it was too late. The figure looked up and spotted them. An arm waved enthusiastically, and the person began hurrying toward them, navigating the rocks with surprising agility despite the ridiculous hat.
“Oh, drat!” Tessa muttered under her breath. “That’s the crazy bird lady.”
Lori felt a spike of alarm shoot through her at the mention of a bird lady. After the dead seabird on the porch, those two words together made her stomach clench. “Crazy bird lady?” Her eyes locked with Tessa’s before moving back to the woman closing in on them. “Who is she?”
“Oh no, I don’t think she’s that bird lady,” Tessa said quickly, catching Lori’s reaction. She actually snorted, which made Lori relax slightly. “She’s the bird writer I told you about. The one who came to ask permission from Mom and Mitch to use the private beach for her research.”
“Oh, right,” Lori nodded, remembering the conversation. “The nature writer.”
“That’s right, you haven’t met her yet,” Tessa said, as if just realizing this.
“No,” Lori shook her head. She wasn’t really in the mood to meet anyone new and explain who she was and go through all the polite small talk that came with introductions.
But politeness dictated that she do so without being rude, and besides, the bird lady was already hurrying toward them, her oversized hat bobbing with each step.
“Tessa!” the woman called out as she got closer. “How lovely to bump into you again!”
She was younger than Lori had expected, probably in her early to mid-thirties, with blonde hair tucked under that enormous hat, which was even bigger up close. She wore practical cargo pants and a long-sleeved shirt despite the morning’s warmth, and carried a small notebook in one hand.
“Hi, Clara,” Tessa said with a politeness that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “You’re out early today.”
“The best time for tide pool observations,” Clara said enthusiastically. Then her attention shifted to Lori, and her smile widened. “And you must be Chief Ware! I’m so pleased to finally meet you in person.”
Lori opened her mouth to correct the misunderstanding, but Clara was already extending her hand for a handshake.
As Clara stepped closer, Misty’s behavior changed dramatically.
The dog, who had been calmly sniffing at seaweed a few feet away, suddenly growled low in her throat and moved to position herself between Lori and Clara.
“Misty, it’s okay,” Lori said softly, placing a hand on the dog’s head as her other hand connected with Clara’s for an enthusiastic handshake that was a little too tight. Lori’s hand ached a bit when Clara finally let go.
Misty didn’t relax even after Clara had dropped Lori’s hand. The dog stayed tense and alert, her body a clear barrier.
Clara noticed and took a small step back, her smile faltering slightly. “Dogs sometimes have that reaction to me. I think it’s because I smell like the outdoors and probably bird poop.” She gave a nervous laugh. “All the time I spend observing wildlife, I forget I must smell like it to animals.”
Lori gave Clara a tight smile, noting how Tessa hadn’t corrected Clara’s assumption about Lori being Carrie. Before Lori could do it herself, Clara was already launching into an enthusiastic story.
“I had the most wonderful encounter this morning,” Clara gushed, her words tumbling over each other.
“I was sketching on the beach when the wind caught my hat and all my papers. It was a disaster! But your handsome, gallant neighbor’s son, Ryan, came to my rescue.
He and his niece helped me gather everything up.
Such a gentleman. He reminded me of a brave knight rushing to save a damsel in distress!
” She sighed with a goofy look in her eyes, clearly telling Lori that Clara was smitten or had a little hero worship crush on Ryan.
Lori wasn’t the only one who had noticed the way Clara’s eyes lit up when she talked about Ryan. They had a particular kind of brightness that suggested more than casual appreciation.
“Ryan’s always been helpful,” Tessa said, her voice carefully neutral, and Lori noticed the stiffening of her shoulders.
“Is he single?” Clara asked, and there was no mistaking the hopeful note in her voice now. She looked between Tessa and Lori as if expecting one of them to have the answer.
“I...uh...” Tessa hesitated, and Lori caught the look she flashed at Clara. It was somewhere between uncomfortable and protective. “I think he’s engaged.”
Lori had to hide a smile at what she thought must be a white lie.
“Oh,” Clara’s face fell dramatically. “Is she here with him? His fiancée?”
“You know, I’m not sure,” Tessa told her, maintaining the fiction smoothly. “You’d have to talk to him about that.”
“Of course he’s taken.” Clara sighed, her shoulders slumping. “Men like him always are. The good ones never stay single for long.”
“Yes, well.” Tessa was looking visibly uncomfortable now, shifting her weight from foot to foot. “We’d better get going. We have a long walk planned.”