Page 33 of A Secret Escape

“Are you telling me you’ve drowned someone in our lake?”

“Not literally, but in my book? Yes. But I’ve changed the name of the lake, so don’t be concerned about it having an adverse effect on tourism.”

She was about to say that fewer tourists on the roads in the peak summer months wouldn’t be a bad thing, when she spotted Joel striding along the path.

“Ah—there’s Joel, and I need to talk to him about boring plumbing issues. What time can I come back and clean the cabin?”

“Does after two work for you? I plan on going for a walk then.”

She calculated that she could freshen the place and still be in time to pick up Zoe from school. “That’s fine.”

“Great. And if there’s anyone you would like me to turn into a victim just let me know. Always happy to help.”

“Your generosity is noted.”

She was just thinking that he was surprisingly easy to talk to when he gave her a smile of such breathtaking charm that her heart gave a couple of extra beats.

Unsettled by her own reaction, she returned the smile and hurried to meet Joel.

At least her conversation with Brendan Scott had been positive. He wasn’t leaving, and she was relieved about that. It would have been hard on their bottom line if he’d left at this stage of his booking.She ignored the little voice in her head that was telling her there were other, more personal, reasons that she was pleased he was staying.

It was a little bizarre that she had a famous author and a famous actor hiding out at Forest Nest at the same time. What next? Royalty?

She jogged the last few steps to Joel. “Hi. I was just on my way to find you.” She paused to catch her breath and saw his expression. “What’s wrong? You couldn’t fix the leak in Aspen? We’re going to have to rehouse the guests?”

“No.” He put down the box of tools he was carrying. “Nothing like that. I went looking for you—”

“You were my next priority after Brendan Scott. Has something happened?” She’d never seen him so serious, and now she was worried because the last thing she needed was for things to go wrong in peak summer season when they were fully booked.

“I went to the boathouse to give you an update. I assumed you were there, and I thought I’d save us both the trouble of chasing each other round the resort, so I went inside.”

“Well, we’ve found each other now, so—” And then she realized what he was saying. “You went inside?”

“Yes. The door was ajar. And I met your—” he turned his head quickly, checking who was nearby “—I met your friend.”

“Ah.” And remembering the lengths Nicole had gone to in order to avoid being recognized, Milly immediately saw the problem. “And I’m guessing she was a little freaked out.”

“That’s an understatement. I wanted to call you, but she insisted I didn’t bother you. But I thought you should know.” He shook his head in apology. “I feel terrible about it. She obviously didn’t want anyone to know she was there, and I tried telling her that no one was going to hear it from me, but I could tell she didn’t believe me.”

“I’ll reassure her. Don’t worry, Joel.”

“How long is she going to be staying with you? Because we could consider ramping up security around the place.”

“That would probably just draw attention to the fact that she’s here. But it’s worth thinking about.” Except that she didn’t really want to have to think about it. People came here to relax. Extra security wouldn’t look good, and people would start asking questions. “I’ll talk to her. Thanks, Joel.”

“The plumbing is a simple job, by the way. It will be fixed by the time the guests check in,” he said. “I need to get a part, and then I’m going to do it right away. That’s what I came to tell you.”

“You’re a star.” She hurried back along the path toward the boathouse. She wasn’t worried. Joel was completely trustworthy, and once she assured Nicole of that, she’d be fine.

The boathouse door was locked and bolted from the inside, which meant Milly had no access. She tapped lightly on the glass, but there was no response, so she took out her phone and messaged Nicole.

I’m at the door. Are you there?

Nicole appeared a moment later, almost unrecognizable in a blond wig and a pair of glasses with purple frames that dominated her face.

She opened the door.

“Sorry. I was being careful.”

---