I take a deep breath. Exhaustion—and the attitudes of my first day’s guests—is getting the best of me. My head is now pounding so loudly I can barely see. “The bed has luxury linens, the bath features designer products, I’ve stocked your refrigerator with coffee and orange juice and baked some fresh muffins in case you just want to stay in your room in the morning.” I walk over to the large window at the back of the guest cottage and open the curtains. “And you have breathtaking views of Lake Michigan.” I try to contain myself, but I can’t, so I say as politely as I can, “This guest cottage may have a throwback design and feel, but I’d hesitate to call it roughing it.”

Cissy looks at Trey, her eyes wide. She’s not used to being talked to in this way or challenged.

“Well,” Cissy huffs, “it’s too quiet out here in the wilderness. I’m used to all the noise and buzz of the city. Where’s my sound therapy machine, Trey?”

I can feel my eyes bulge.

Trey sets his phone down on a table by the door, shuffles through a bag and pulls out a small machine. He sets it on a nightstand next to the bed and plugs it in.

“What sound would you like, my dear?” he asks.

Cissy cocks her head. “How about ocean waves?” she says. “That always lulls me to sleep.”

Trey flips on the machine, and the sound of rolling waves fills the room.

“Aaahh,” Cissy says. “Now I can sleep.”

I turn to the window, unlock it and throw it open. “Why don’t you try cracking a window?” I ask. “Listen. It’s the real thing.”

“It’s too cold,” Cissy says, again throwing her arms around herself.

I inhale, walk to the wall and show them the thermostat. “You can control your own temperature here,” I say. “There are extra blankets in the closet, and—if you get too chilly—you can flip on this little electric fireplace.”

I turn and head toward the door. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”

I am about to leave when a hear a phone buzz. I feel for my cell in my pocket, but it is quiet. I look down, and Trey’s is buzzing.

Incoming call, it flashes. Nate Clarke.

What in the world? I think, looking at Trey and Cissy. Is he just being nosy? But then the penny drops. He sent them here to spy on me.

I smile as if all is right in the world. “Well, get some rest, and I’ll see you in the morning. Good night.”

“Good night, Adeleine,” they say in unison.

Adie Lou, I think. It’s Adie Lou.

I shut the door and walk casually across the patio. Once inside the cottage, I sprint to the front desk and open my laptop. I search the Caldwells’ reservation.