Fear Thy Neighbor (24)

“If you were, I would know. I have good instincts about people. You’re good to the core.”

Alison was surprised, as this was basically what Valentina had also told her. It wouldn’t be too much to assume Renée had her mother’s gift, as well.

“I’m going to call Mom now, so stay here for just a sec,” Renée said, taking her cell phone out of her pocket.

Because the girl was as sweet as sugar, Alison waited while she called her mom, but no way was she going to impose on strangers.

Renée spoke so fast, Alison could barely keep up with the one-sided conversation. Once finished, Renée stashed her cell phone in her pocket. “Mom says you have to stay with us. There’s nothing decent on the island as far as hotels go. Closest motel is the Courtesy Court, but no one in their right mind stays there.”

“Why?” Alison had to ask.

“The lady that owns the place is wacko. Her son, too,” Renée explained. “They’ve been involved in shady stuff, though I’m not sure exactly what kind of stuff. I’ve heard Mom talk about them, and it’s not like her to talk about people behind their back, but those two are the exception.”

Should she tell Renée about her experience? Didn’t Betty tell her she had no family? She wouldn’t stay at that place again if hell froze over. She knew something happened to her other than a twenty-four-hour bug. She didn’t believe the hamburger she’d eaten gave her food poisoning, either.

“I did see weekly cottages for rent as I crossed the bridge,” Alison said.

“They’re okay, I guess. I don’t know much about them, but I suppose it’s an option.”

Renée was wise beyond her years. “Tell your mom thank you, but I’ll find a place tonight. I’ll be back tomorrow. I want to start cutting back the overgrowth so I can use the driveway.”

“If you want company, I can help.”

“That would be great,” Alison said. “Not much fun, though.”

“Anything is fun if you have the right attitude.”

This kid is too smart for her own good. “You’re spot-on. I’ll see you sometime tomorrow.”

“I’ll be right here catching some rays,” Renée said. “If you change your mind, come back anytime. Mom and I are night owls on the weekends.”

Alison wished the girls she’d met in school had been as sweet and kind as Renée. The past is prologue. Bad times were over. With a renewed sense of purpose, she waved goodbye as she headed back to her Jeep. She’d drive into town if she couldn’t find a place to stay.

She drove to Matlacha Pass, where she’d seen the cottages for rent. Matlacha Mariner’s Cottages looked decent. Deciding this was as good a place as any, she parked her car. The office was a small cottage painted aqua blue. Inside was just as cute. A pale blue desk held a lamp, the base of which was a blue marlin. Fish-themed. She smiled to herself. Cute, but not her style. Unsure what her style was, she cleared her throat, hoping whoever worked here had heard her.

“Be right there,” a woman’s voice called.

Reminiscent of Betty—she hoped this woman wasn’t also an oddball.

“Hi, sorry to make you wait. The twins are throwing their evening tantrum.” The woman looked to be around her own age. Wholesome, with short brown hair and brown eyes, she looked tired, but in a good way. She wore cut-off jean shorts and an orange T-shirt with a gator on the front. Like Kimberly, she had a golden tan, shapely legs, and Alison noticed she wore a gold toe ring. Weren’t those out of style? As in, the 1980s out of style?

“No problem; I didn’t hear your kids,” Alison said. “I just wanted to see if you had a place for tonight, maybe tomorrow night, too.”

“I’m Lacey. We’ve got a few vacancies. Just you?” she asked as she took a seat behind the blue desk. Clicking the keyboard, she swirled the monitor around so Alison could view the rooms.

“This is the Pink Flamingo. It’s available this week. This”—she scrolled down to another cottage—“this is Suzi Sails Seashells and Pelican Landing, both of which have two bedrooms.”

Alison smiled. “Very appropriate names,” she said, seeing the décor in each cottage replicated the name. “They’re all adorable, so whatever you have for a couple nights, I’ll take.”

“Normally we only rent by the week, but it’s off-season, so a couple nights is fine. You need to stay longer, no worries,” Lacey said. “I just need an ID and a credit or debit card.”

Alison was a cash-only person. She had checks from her investment account, but no credit or debit card. “I have cash,” she told Lacey.

“That’ll work, too. Nowadays, everyone seems to forget we still take cash. Just an ID, and I’ll set you up in the pink cottage.”

“That would be great.” She took her driver’s license from her purse and three one-hundred-dollar bills.

“That’s too much . . .” Lacey glanced at her ID, then gave it back to her. “Alison. We’re fifty bucks a night, and since you have cash, you’ll get the Florida six-percent discount.”

“You’re sure?” she asked, thinking the price too low, given that each room was more like a mini apartment with a full kitchen, bathroom, and living area; plus, the area where the bed was placed appeared as though it were a separate room.