Page 21 of Vacation Friends

“You ask me, I can’t imagine why anyone would want to live anywhere besides the Big Apple,” Josh piped in. “I was raised there, and I don’t think it gets any better.”

Another reason they shouldn’t get married, Maddie mused. “There’s something about wide open spaces that makes me feel like I can breathe.”

“Maybe you two can have a summer home in the Midwest after you’re married then,” Bree suggested.

“Maybe.” The idea didn’t seem that bad to Maddie. Better the Midwest than the Big Apple. City life didn’t fit her personality.

“I wouldn’t count on it.” Josh paused with his fork, laden with tuna, in mid-air. “Real estate should be an investment, and I don’t see that location as being a wise place to spend a lot of money. People are moving away from those areas, which will make real estate there less valuable.”

Maddie resisted an eye roll. That was what everything boiled down to for Josh, wasn’t it? Money.

Some things were more important than a financial portfolio.

Maddie glanced at Adrienne and saw the woman’s face had gone pale.

Maddie followed her friend’s gaze in time to see someone disappear around the corner.

She looked back at Adrienne, curiosity pulsing inside her. “Everything okay?”

Brody glanced at Adrienne and then rushed to his feet. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be right back.”

Maddie narrowed her eyes.

Based on the tension in the air, Adrienne had seen something that spooked her.

It appeared danger was waiting around every turn here at this retreat.

And today was only the second day.

CHAPTER

NINE

Maddie’s thoughts remained on whatever was happening with Adrienne and Brody.

Adrienne, however, didn’t offer any information, though Maddie had gently prodded.

She didn’t want to be pushy. Maddie knew what it was like when people were nosy, and she preferred sharing things in her own time. She would give Adrienne that respect also.

Her new friend remained tense until Brody returned.

He sat back in his chair and placed his napkin in his lap, acting as if he’d just come from the restroom or something else mundane. “Sorry about that.”

Adrienne stared at him as if waiting for an explanation. Actually, almost everyone at the table did.

Finally, he shrugged and said softly, “I thought I saw someone. No one was there.”

Adrienne’s face remained pale, but she nodded. “That’s good news.”

“Everything okay?” Josh’s gaze flicked between the two of them.

“It’s fine.” Adrienne waved a hand in the air as if the whole incident was no big deal, but her shaky arms showed her nerves. “It’s just my ex . . . he’s been a little obsessive since I called things off. He’s made some threats, and I’m just a little paranoid.”

Alarm coursed through Maddie. “That’s terrible. Did you tell the police?”

Adrienne nodded. “I did—back in New York. But I think he’s been watching me. I’m nervous he may have followed me here.”

“Maybe you should tell security here at the hotel so they can keep an eye out,” Fowler said.

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