Page 10 of This Christmas

Even from this distance, he could feel the sharpness in her gaze. She wasn’t panicked or startled. But she’d seen everything, measured it, and, no doubt, was already ten steps ahead.

“Charlotte.” Ally’s calm voice carried easily over the wind. “Honey, go ahead and start back up to the house.”

The little girl turned instantly. “Okay, Mama!” She gave Joe a cheerful wave before dashing back toward the stairs, her small footprints swallowed quickly by the tide.

Joe straightened and took his time brushing the sand off his hands as Ally stood and walked toward him.

Up close, she looked a lot different than the photos he’d taken or seen of her. She was thinner, yeah, but not fragile. Her beauty was almost breathtaking. There was a quiet strength in the way she moved. She was graceful yet powerful. As she got closer, her chin lifted and her eyes turned sharp and knowing.

“You can tell Ted,” she said, stopping a few feet away, “that I’m flattered he’s still spending money on me. But he’s wasting your time.”

He froze, the practiced lie of who he was and what he was doing there caught somewhere between his chest and throat. “I don’t know what you’re⁠—”

“Please.” Her low voice cut through his. “You’ve been parked outside my mother’s place for weeks. I saw you parked at the end of the drive here as well.” She nodded toward the lighthouse. “I had hoped that you wouldn’t follow us here, but… The only people who drive the same car past a house that often are cops or private investigators. You don’t have the posture of a cop.” Her eyes narrowed slightly. “At least not one who is still active.”

He met her stare and saw no fear behind her eyes, just exhaustion and razor-edged awareness.

“I’m not here to cause trouble,” he said finally.

“Then stop taking pictures of my brother’s house.” Her tone softened just slightly, enough to make him wonder what she’d sound like if she wasn’t constantly on guard. “My daughter deserves to play on the beach without someone watching her through a lens.”

Joe swallowed, guilt tightening his gut. “I’ll keep my distance.”

She nodded, as if that answer was good enough for now. “If you really want to know how we’re doing for your report, come back for dinner.” She turned to go but stopped and threw over her shoulder, “Five o’clock sharp. You can bring dessert. Charlotte is allergic to nuts. I bet Ted didn’t clue you in on that bit.” She ran her eyes over him once more before turning around and heading back toward the stairs without another word.

Joe watched her go. The wind was whipping her hair across her face as she reached for Charlotte’s hand at the top. She pushed it out of the way to glance back at him once before disappearing over the hillside.

Once more, he wondered whether he was working for the wrong person.