“Mabel. She said you were in the general store yesterday buying groceries. How was your sightseeing trip?”
Before they’d left, she’d told Brooke she was going on a road trip with Gabe and Caleb. If she stretched the facts, it could almost be called the truth. Except for a stalker, a literary agent who’d scared the living daylights out of her and falling in love with her neighbor.
Natalie filled a vase with water. “We had a great time driving around the lake. The flowers are lovely. Are they from your garden?”
“They are. I might be terrible at housework, but I love pottering in the garden. If you need any cuttings, let me know.” Brooke sat on one of Natalie’s kitchen stools. “Don’t keep me in suspense. How did it feel to spend lots of time with a New York Times bestselling author?”
“It was no different than spending time with Caleb. They’re both nice people.”
“Nice?” Brooke’s eyebrows rose. “Caleb might be nice, but Gabe is super sexy. Have you read his books?”
Natalie had practically lived and breathed his books for the last few weeks. She’d read them so often, that if Brooke asked her what was on page 109 of his first novel, she could have repeated it word for word.
“I’ve read them. They’re great.”
“Hmm. Anyone who’s sat beside Gabe Lanigan for seven daysandread his books wouldn’t say he was nice. What are you hiding?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Natalie couldn’t hold back a smile.
“I knew it. You like him, don’t you?”
“Yes, I like him. Gabe’s different from anyone else I’ve met.”
Brooke smiled. “That’s because he’s swoon-a-licious.”
Natalie laughed. “He’d go beet red if he heard you say that.”
“He’s a writer. He’d appreciate the effort it took to come up with such an amazing word.”
“While we’re talking about amazing words, I’ll make us a drink. Would you like a cup of coffee or peppermint tea?”
“Tea, please.” Brooke opened the bag she’d slung over her shoulder. “And because I’m such a good friend, I also brought shortbread cream cookies for us.”
Natalie had tasted Brooke’s cookies before and they were yummy. “What have I done to deserve a friend like you?”
“We were both lucky we met each other. So, tell me what you were really doing with Caleb.”
Natalie cleared her throat. She hated lying to anyone, let alone her friends. “We were sightseeing.”
“I don’t believe you. Mabel said a man has been asking questions about you and Gabe. You don’t think it’s the same person who broke into the cottage, do you?”
“I wouldn’t think so. Did Mabel say what he looked like?”
“No, but it seems like too big a coincidence.”
Natalie wasn’t sure what to say to Brooke. With Leith safely locked away, there wasn’t much that could go wrong. No judge or jury would release him. Not after everything he’d done.
“Maybe it was a detective or it could have been Gabe’s literary agent. He visited Gabe while we were at Caleb’s house.”
Brooke frowned. “They would have told Mabel who they were. Did anyone follow you around Flathead Lake?”
Natalie sighed. It was time to tell her everything. If anyone could understand why she’d been so secretive, it would be Brooke. “I have a confession to make. We didn’t go on a road trip. We’ve been staying at Caleb’s house.”
Brooke took the mug of tea that Natalie gave her. “But he lives in the middle of a forest. You wouldn’t see much of Flathead Lake from there.”
“We weren’t there to see the lake. Someone has been stalking Gabe. When my cottage was broken into, Gabe and Caleb thought mom and I would be safer somewhere else.”
“That makes sense, but it’s terrible that someone’s stalking Gabe. Is everyone okay?”
