Max didn’t try to follow me out. He wasn’t the world’s most brilliant dog, but he seemed to realize I was not in the mood—and his mom needed him more.
I checked my texts. Garrett would be there soon. And Audrey was supposed to go to some breakfast thing with her mom. I didn’t like the idea of her going to Pinecrest alone but she was going to the country club. She’d be in public and so far, this guy’s MO seemed to be keeping to the shadows and messing with her at home.
Plus, I could just drive up there and follow her.
That’s what I’d do. Keep an eye on her and make sure she was safe.
I’d figure out what to do about fighting with her later.
CHAPTER 27
Audrey
I was in a terrible mood.
First, I’d woken up to the news that my house had been vandalized again. While we’d been sleeping. The reality of that was so unsettling. I’d been sound asleep next to Josiah, feeling for all the world like I was perfectly safe, and someone had avoided the cameras and spray painted another message on my house.
It made me wonder what else they could do and whether or not anyone could keep me safe.
As if that hadn’t been bad enough, Josiah and I had gotten in a fight. It was basically our first fight, which meant I was stuck wallowing in uncertainty, since I didn’t know how this would end.
Had he walked away because he’d decided I wasn’t worth all this trouble? Or was he a walk away and cool off kind of guy and that was how he coped with conflict? Would he come back and apologize, or come back at all?
The scenery between Tilikum and Pinecrest was pretty but I didn’t notice any of it as I drove north. Because sometimes life was just that unfair, I had to attend a breakfast with my mom. Today of all days, when I had another act of vandalism and a fight with Josiah weighing heavily on my mind.
But canceling would have caused more stress. I’d already taken a half day off work and I’d have to find a way to make it up to her if I didn’t go. It would be easier to get it over with. Then I could move on with my day.
Garrett had come to check things out and the forensics team had been on their way when I’d left. Poor Max wanted to go out and play with the nice cops, but I had to leave him inside. I couldn’t take him with me, either. The Pinecrest Country Club wasn’t a dog-friendly establishment. Too fancy for that.
And let’s be honest, my mom wasn’t really dog friendly either.
I parked outside the large building fronted with beige stone. Golf carts were parked in specially labeled parking spaces and the landscaping was so well-manicured, it looked too perfect.
Sort of like my childhood.
Before I got out of my car, I took a few deep breaths, steeling myself for what was essentially a public appearance. The Pinecrest Women’s Club was made up of mostly middle-aged to retirement-age women. Some of them were business owners. Others were married to local politicians or prominent businesswomen. On the surface, they were all about supporting education and community programs to help those in need. In reality, they were the queen bees of Pinecrest—the grown-up version of the popular girls in high school.
I could still remember when my mom had been offered admission. Forget her wedding day or the birth of her only child. I was certain that had been the happiest day of her life.
With one last breath, I got out. Despite the chaos of the morning, I’d remembered to dress appropriately. I’d chosen a simple yellow dress with a scalloped hem and nude heels. What I hadn’t remembered to do was check for dog hair. I dug a lint roller out of my purse and did my best.
I went inside and veered toward the restaurant. The one good thing about these events was the food.
I’d make the best of it.
Mom was already there, looking slender and perfectly put together in her white pantsuit. She smiled warmly when she saw me and I felt a little guilty for wondering how much of that smile was real and how much was for show.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Audrey, dear.” She kissed next to each of my cheeks. “You look lovely. I’m so glad you could make it.”
“Thanks. It’s actually been a little bit crazy but—”
“You remember Mrs. Sheffield, don’t you?”
Smiling like she hadn’t just cut me off, I turned to greet the woman. She had white hair and was dressed in a hot pink blazer and beige pants. “Hi, Mrs. Sheffield. Nice to see you again.”
Her hand was cool and dry when we shook but I managed to keep any reaction off my face.
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” She didn’t let go of my hand. “How have you been? On second thought, I see Jessica O’Malley just walked in. We’ll catch up later.”