He should’ve tried harder to find out the name of her ex. Whatever was happening, it had to stem from her life in Davis. She hadn’t been in Whiskey Creek for thirteen years, so there was no way it could’ve started here.
Or...this was a long shot, but maybe Kevin Colbert had something to do with what was going on. He seemed to have a strange effect on her. There was that moment outside the coffee shop, when she dropped her drink and ran to her car. And before she arrived at the party last night, Ted had mentioned that he’d seen Kevin at Just Like Mom’s. He said Kevin and Addy had been in the middle of an argument, after which Kevin had given back her cell phone.
What would they have to argue about? As far as he could tell, she barely knew Kevin. She’d asked about him that first night, when they were driving home from the mine. But she’d also asked about Tom Gibby and other people.
Taking a deep breath, he pulled out his cell phone and called her.
“Hello?”
He smiled at the husky sound of her voice. Even the way she talked was sexy. “You okay?”
There was a slight pause. “Of course. Why?”
He just needed to be sure. He’d watched her walk into Milly’s and close the door behind her, and yet...he was unsettled and a little angry that he didn’t know, couldn’t guess, what she was up against.
“I had a nice time tonight,” he said.
“So did I.”
“When can I see you again?”
She laughed. “I’ve only been home for fifteen minutes.”
But the way she’d acted before, and what he’d read in that note, made him nervous. “See what you do to me?”
“You’re coming to dinner tomorrow night, right?”
He’d forgotten about that. “Right.”
“So I’ll see you then.”
She was about to hang up, but he stopped her. “Have you heard from Chief Stacy lately?”
“About the mine incident? No. I don’t think he’s too pleased with me.” She chuckled. “He so desperately wanted it to be Aaron. Case closed.”
Noah tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. “You’re not scared, are you?”
“That...”
“Whoever kidnapped you will hurt you again?”
There was a brief silence before she said, “It should be okay.”
He combed his fingers through his hair, which was stiff with chlorine from the hot tub. “Kevin Colbert hasn’t been giving you any trouble...?”
“No, why would you think that?”
“Ted said he was with you at Just Like Mom’s the other night, that the two of you were having an argument.”
“He was complaining about his meal. That’s all. I comped his dinner and that was the end of it.”
“You’re sure?”
“Positive.”
“So why would he have your phone?”
“I’d left it sitting on a nearby table. He thought someone had lost it.”
“I...see.”
Silence fell. Then he said, “Are you ever going to trust me enough to tell me what’s going on, Addy?”
Another long pause. “Let’s just enjoy the time we’ve got, okay?” she said.
As soon as he started getting close, she backed away. “Until...”
“I leave or you do.”
That would be a while, so he didn’t see any reason not to agree. But he stared at the note he’d found on her car long after they’d hung up. Why would anyone care if they got together? Especially Kevin Colbert? He was married and had three kids....
* * *
Raised voices dragged Addy from a deep sleep.
“I didn’t call because I wanted to surprise you! What’s wrong with that?”
“I needed to talk to you. I told you it was important. I left at least three messages.”
“I’ve been busy. But I’m here now. So talk.”
Their voices dimmed briefly. Then Addy heard, “If she got through it, if she’s fine, what’s the big deal?”
With a groan, Addy rolled out of bed. This could be none other than her dear mother. She missed the next part of the conversation, but then she heard Gran say, “So where’s your latest husband? You didn’t bring him?”
“Latest? You had to add that?”
“What else am I supposed to say? You switch so often I’ve lost track. I don’t even bother learning their names anymore.”
“And you wonder why I don’t call as often as you think I should.”
“As often as I think you should? I don’t ever hear from you—unless you need something. And I was trying to reach you about your daughter!”
“Who hasn’t called me, either—not in ages. So you might as well get off your high horse.”
“How dare you blame her!”
“Who else am I supposed to blame? She has a phone. She knows my number.”
“Isn’t it obvious, Mom?” Addy whispered. “You. We both blame you.”
“She checks in with me regularly.” Gran, forever her defender. “Always has.”
“Don’t rub my nose in that, Mother. She checks in with you because you spoil her.”
“Lower your voice. She got into bed late last night, needs her sleep.”
“Oh, for God’s sake, she’s not a child anymore! I think she can handle a short night here and there. What about me? I drove for ten hours straight to get here.”
“Why? That’s the question.”
Addy had the same question—together with one other. How long was her mother planning to stay? If she’d split up with her husband, which usually precipitated these unexpected visits, she could be staying for a few weeks. Until she met someone else or came up with another way to escape the town she grew up in without actually having to support herself.
With so much going on in her life, Addy didn’t think she could handle a prolonged visit from Helen. She’d slept with Noah last night. That was the stupidest thing she could’ve done, but she couldn’t pretend she regretted it, or that she wouldn’t do it again.
“I wanted to see you, to come home!” her mother cried.
“Because...” Gran was skeptical and had every right to be.
“You just can’t take it at face value, can you?”
“I’ve learned from past experience to be wary. Did you get in a fight with your husband? Are you filing for divorce? I’m too old for surprises, Helen. If there’s bad news, I’d prefer to hear it up front.”