Joanna stared at her for a long moment and then picked a slice of lemon out of her drink. “What exactly did he tell you?”

“Nothing. You know Nate. He doesn’t talk about his feelings, particularly not with me. But he was heartbroken. For a long time.”

How could Joanna not have known that?

Joanna rolled the glass in her hand, sliding her thumb over the frosted surface. “Now I understand why you think I owe you an apology.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Confused, Mel was about to push her harder when she saw movement on the beach. She grabbed Joanna’s arm and propelled her toward the house. “There’s someone down there. They must have come by boat or something. I didn’t even think that was possible. Go, go, go! I’ll handle this. I’ll get rid of them.”

Joanna put the glass down. “Get rid of them?”

“Yes. I’m married to an officer of the law, remember? One phone call is all it’s going to take and Greg will be here to defend you.” Why was Joanna looking at her like that? “Go! I’ve got this.”

Joanna seemed to rouse herself. “Don’t call Greg. It’s okay. It’s just Ashley. She’s doing yoga. It helps her relax.” She extracted herself from Mel’s grip and gave her a curious look. “You were going to protect me from an intruder?”

“Of course. You deserve privacy. I was going to use my outdoor voice, as Eden calls it. Terrifying. Wait—” Mel paused. “You said Ashley. The Ashley? The girl who was in the car with Cliff?”

“Yes.”

That couldn’t be right. “You’re kidding me, Joanna.”

“I’m not kidding you.”

“The girl who is having Cliff’s baby? You have to be kidding me.”

Joanna tensed. “Can you stop saying that?”

How could she, when the whole thing was so unbelievable. Ashley, here? Why would someone in Joanna’s position do a thing like that?

What would happen when the press got hold of that story?

No wonder Joanna didn’t plan on leaving Otter’s Nest.

She floundered, hunting for the right words. She’d questioned many of Joanna’s decisions, but this one was off the scale. “You’re giving houseroom to the girl Cliff made pregnant?”

Joanna’s expression was blank. “It’s complicated.”

“No kidding. Sorry—” Mel raised her hands in apology. “I didn’t mean to say it again. Truly. That’s the last time those words are going to pass my lips, but what’s going on, Joanna?”

“She had nowhere else to go.”