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But looking at this objectively, my instincts, I know what I have to do.
I have to do everything in my power to keep her in my life.
It could be that I’m confusing protectiveness for affection for Adalee. She doesn’t have a lot to give, but she gives and gives some more to anyone who asks.
When her mom, Jenny, announced she was moving back to Cherry Falls, I was wary. Frenchie lives in a small Airstream trailer with her cats, It doesn’t look like much, but it’s perfect for her.
Her mom doesn’t like me much because I convinced Adalee to keep her distance. Draw a boundary. Her mom could visit, but she could not live with her.
Turns out that was the right decision since she can’t even be in that Airstream for five minutes without losing an overweight cat.
I’m rooting for her mom; I really am. Just not at the expense of Adalee. She is and always has been my number one ride or die.
I watch her walk away down the dock with my head full of worry. My legs have the itch to ditch work and go help her with Peanut and with her mom.
As the guy who runs the marina, I could spontaneously take off and leave Gavin to handle things. But Captain Jack — the owner of the biggest boat in the marina and responsible for a good chunk of the marina’s income — said he needs to talk to me about something today. I already missed seeing Captain Jack last week when I came in late so I
could help Adalee get her mom settled in her new subsidized apartment. She didn’t ask me to, but I knew there would be drama, and I knew she needed backup.
Peanut is a fat little diabetic cat who won’t get far, as most people in the RV park look out for Adalee.
Turns out I’m not the only one who’s overprotective of her.
I finish my lunch and send Frenchie a text to let me know if she needs my help with her mom or Peanut. I can’t leave work, but I might be able to send a friend to help.
I polish off my lunch with the cookies she brought me, and they taste even better than usual. I’ve gotten so used to Frenchie’s cooking that I can tell which cookies are from the Nestle roll house recipe and which are original.
These cookies were baked with something else today. These cookies were baked with love. Yes. It’s definitely long overdue for Hudson Green to shoot his shot.
Chapter 3
Adalee
“Mom, he’s right here. Look.”
Peanut is hanging out underneath my Airstream with one of Justin’s pugs, Dexter, who looks like he’s snacking on one of his Greenies.
But to my horror, I realize it’s not that. It’s a cable. The cable to my television, to be specific.
“Oh shit. Dexter!”
With a grunt, I lift both animals out from under the trailer and grumpily open the door. Setting Peanut down in his bed, I turn to my mom, who is frustratedly trying to access my Netflix account.
“You didn’t also notice that Dexter was outside without a leash.”
Absently, mom informs me that after she’d texted me, she’d recruited the pugs to try to help lure Peanut out from under the RV. I pinch the bridge of my nose, and Dexter lovingly licks my face. “Relax. All these neighborhood dogs are so spoiled they never leave the RV Park. I’ve been watching them visit each other’s houses, like a canine assisted living facility.”
“Mom, it’s the middle of the day. Why don’t you go outside and get some fresh air? That’s kind of the point of me letting you come over to take my neighbor’s dogs for a walk. A walk involves exercise and sunshine and leashes.”
“I’m trying to find Orange Is the New Black,” she rasps.
I don’t smell any alcohol, so that’s a good start, anyway.
“Perhaps that’s because Dexter chewed through the Wi-Fi cable.”
“You should go wireless,” she says.
I place a hand on my hip. “Sure, Mom, I’ll just do that. Any minute now. Got my inheritance ready?”
