The Girl by the Grave (Getaway Bay Cozy Mystery Series Book 7) by Lee Catherine

Author:Lee, Catherine
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-09-11T00:00:00+00:00

19

Addison changed direction and headed for the gallery. She wasn't looking forward to confronting an angry Layla, but she had to get it over with. The sooner she admitted she'd been wrong and apologised, the sooner things could get back to normal. Layla was great at giving the cold shoulder, but she could also be very forgiving.

A small fire was lit in the fireplace again when Addison arrived, but this time the gallery was empty.

"Hello?" Addison sang out as she slid the large glass door closed behind her.

After a moment Layla came out of the studio, and over her shoulder Addison saw Katie sitting at Layla's drawing table.

"Hi," said Layla. Her voice was non-committal.

"It's a bit quieter than the other day," said Addison, walking to the fireplace. She had to admit the open fire was lovely, even if it wasn't that cold. She might talk to Adam about lighting the one at the beach house tonight.

"I think I prefer the quiet," said Layla. "None of those people on the weekend amounted to anything more than a waste of my time."

"It is strange that no-one bought anything."

Layla shrugged. "It happens. What are you doing here, Addison?"

Addison took a step toward her cousin but faltered. "I… I came to apologise."

"To Katie?"

Addison wrung her hands together. "To both of you. I was wrong to be suspicious, I'm sorry." Addison peered around Layla, to where Katie had appeared in the studio doorway. "I'm sorry, Katie."

The girl shrugged, and Addison was shocked at how alike the two of them were.

Katie and Layla exchanged a look, then Katie came forward and stood close to Layla. "It's okay," she said to Addison. "You were just protecting your family. I get that."

"Thank you," said Addison, and was surprised at how much relief washed over her. "Can we start over?"

Katie nodded, and Addison turned her gaze to Layla. "Are we good?"

Addison's heart pounded, and the three seconds Layla took to answer felt like a lifetime.

"We're fine," Layla said with a smile, and Addison felt she could breathe again.

"Thanks." They all hugged, and Addison held onto Layla longer than necessary. She hated fighting with anyone, but especially family.

"So how have you been settling in?" Addison said to Katie once the tension had dissipated.

"Pretty good," said the teenager. "Aunt Layla's been giving me some drawing lessons."

Addison bristled at the 'Aunt Layla', but did her best not to show it. "I saw one of your sketches the other day," she said, with as much enthusiasm in her voice as she could muster. "You seem to have inherited some of your aunt's talent."

"Thanks. I really enjoy it."

"That's great. Can I have a look?"

Katie led them into the studio, and Layla smiled and raised her eyebrows at Addison as they followed. "She's really very good," Layla whispered.

"She's lucky to have you to help her grow," said Addison.

They spent a few minutes looking over Katie's sketches, with Katie describing where she'd got the inspiration for each and the techniques she was learning from Layla. She grew more animated and confident as she talked, and by the time she was done Addison was impressed.

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