Fear Thy Neighbor (23)

“Of course.” She recited the address, and Alison wrote it down with the pen from Mel’s Diner. “Then it’s a deal. I’ll see you Monday. Don’t forget to bring a check,” she added, then hung up.

Alison wondered how much of a commission Kimberly would make. It couldn’t be too much, given the price of the place. This nagged her, but she wasn’t one to kick a gift horse in the mouth. Decision made, and excited at the prospect of making a forever home here on this quaint little island, she wanted to share her good news. Remembering Renée was staying on the beach until sunset, she would meet her and tell her about her new house, though a teenager probably didn’t care one way or the other about such things.

For the umpteenth time that day, she locked the Jeep, taking her purse with her phone and weapon with her. She wouldn’t take any chances with John or anyone else who might be a threat.

On the beach, she spied Renée lying on a towel, immersed in a book. Once again, she felt as though she were interrupting her.

“Hey there,” Renée said, closing her book. “I knew you’d come back.”

Alison laughed. “Maybe you’re as gifted as your mom.”

“No way, she’s out of this world.”

“I met your mom earlier. She’s super nice,” Alison said. “I had a reading, too.” She sat on the sand next to the girl.

This got Renée’s full attention. “Isn’t she everything I said and more?”

“She certainly seems to know a lot about a person.” She didn’t want to reveal any details of her reading, as Renée might tell her mom. She still wanted an unbiased opinion in case she decided on a second reading in the future.

“I know Mom tells you not to talk about the things she tells you, but if you want to tell me, you can.”

Alison laughed. “No, I’ll keep this to myself, only because it’s my way.” She waited for her to digest her words. “Nothing personal.”

“It’s okay. Most people don’t want to talk about that stuff, anyway. So, forget that. I’m all good with what you do. I’m nosy, just so you know. At least Mom says I am.”

Another laugh. “Are you?” Alison couldn’t help asking.

She grinned. “Yep, I am. In the summer, it’s so boring here, I have to be nosy when I meet someone new, though I would never ask you to reveal personal stuff, like if you have a boyfriend, girlfriend, or both.”

“I’ll be happy to let you know; at this point, I don’t have a boyfriend, and I’m not into girls.”

“I didn’t think you were, but you never know. I have a major crush on Blake Hamilton. He’ll be a senior this year, and he is so hot. I’m hoping we’ll hook up once school starts.”

“So does Blake know you’re crushing on him?”

“No, he has no idea I even exist. He’s a football player, and they only go for the cheerleaders, so really there is no hope.”

Alison nodded. “Times haven’t changed. Same thing when I was your age.”

“You crushed on a football player, too?”

She didn’t want to lie to the girl, so she said, “A little, maybe. I was more into studying than boys at your age.” She was more into surviving, finding her next meal.

“So how old are you?” Renée asked. “Nosy me, huh?” She smiled, and her perfectly white teeth sparkled.

“I’m twenty-nine. Thirty in September,” she told her. “Old.”

“No way! I thought you were like twenty-one. You look really young.”

Alison didn’t believe this for a minute. She’d aged badly, from living a rough life, but she appreciated her kindness.

“You’re too sweet, thank you.” Not wanting to spoil the girl’s opinion of her, she would let this one slide.

“So you want to stay with me, see the sunset? We still have a couple hours.”

She really wanted to, but she had to search for a place to stay for the weekend. “I have to go. I need to find a hotel for a couple nights, though I may take you up on your offer as soon as I get settled in that little yellow cottage behind us,” she said, a smile as wide as the beach on her face.

“Really? You’re moving here?” Her blue eyes brightened. “Cool.”

Alison nodded. “I can’t believe it either. I meet with the real estate agent Monday; then it’s all mine.” Saying the words out loud cemented her decision, at least in her head.

“Mom will love this. We’re right over here.” She pointed to one of the grand homes behind them. “It’s two doors down, a little bit behind us.”

No wonder she spent the days on the beach. If she needed a drink or a bathroom break, all she had to do was walk a short distance.

“Do you know who lived in my house before?”

Renée clammed up, looking away. “You’d have to ask Mom.”

“I will do that as soon as I get settled in. So, I’m going to call it a day, kiddo. Find a place to stay for the night. I’ll be seeing you around for sure,” she said, standing and brushing the sand off the back of her legs.

“Wait! You don’t need to stay in a hotel. We have five bedrooms. You can stay with us.”

“No, I can’t do that. You hardly know me, and besides, I wouldn’t want to impose. I could be a weirdo, for all you know.”