“My mum is wonderful. She is a free spirit, and one of my best friends.”
I glance at her, waiting. I want her to open up to me without me pushing.
“She’s into projects and has trouble sticking to one thing she loves because she loves them all. So, we’ve learned a lot of new skills. People laugh at her, but she is so smart. She understands the zodiacs and constellations and what natural herbs can treat what ailments. Mum is amazing; she just walks on a different wavelength from everyone else.”
“And you?”
“Well, I can understand her and love what she does, but someone needed to make sure everything was working. So, while she studied knitting, I read up on how to fix the kitchen sink. When she was taking meditation classes, I was learning to balance a budget.”
“It sounds like it was difficult.”
“Yes and no. I have seen so much with her. I have experienced so much. A lot of people think it’s crazy, but it’s been an adventure, and I wouldn’t change it.”
Main Street is bustling with people. It takes me too long to work out what is bugging me. Once I see it, I can’t unsee it. So many of them have books under their arms. I let a smirk of satisfaction curl my lips as I watch.
Finally.
Phase one is complete. We have made Sunshine Cove aware that there is a secret author living right here amongst them. Step two is to flush them out.
“Did you hear? Lynn Marino lives right here in Sunshine Cove,” a beta says to his companion as they walk past us, heading to the café.
Cordie stops, turning around to stare at the couple.
“Do you know Lynn Marino?” I ask curiously.
“Of course,” Cordie says. “By her books. I had no idea she was living here. I thought Fox was wrong.”
I chuckle. “Fox is seldom wrong; it's a superpower of his.”
“Where are we going?” she mutters and steps closer to me to avoid a group of betas walking the other way. They are all young and carrying ice cream cones and laughing in an unconscious way young people do.
“We’re going to get chips and sit on the beach. I’ve been told it’s a good way to get to know someone.”
She scowls. “Have you been talking to Mack?”
I grin, thinking of the mellow alpha. We’d hit it off, and I’d eventually asked about how to reach Cordelia. He’d said he didn’t know her well but gave me the chips and beach hint.
“Guilty.”
She waits outside while I go in and get the chips, then I lead her down to the beach. Instead of going all the way down, she sits on the stairs and glowers at the whitecaps that are slamming against the sand.
A seagull lands in front of us and lets out an almighty shriek.
I go to shoo it away, but Cordie catches my hand. “Don’t. That’s Sully. She belongs here.”
“Belongs?”
“Well, she adopted the town, and the town adopted her. It’s complicated, but she’s like a mascot. Getting on Sully’s bad side would be a very bad idea.”
I stare at the terrifying bird. Fox bounces over and hugs Cordie from behind.
“Good morning, my love.”
“My love?” Cordelia squeaks, looking at me in panic.
“We’re not there yet?” Fox asks, deflating.
“Not yet,” Cordie says faintly.
