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Steff announced the next item up for auction and another bidding war began. This one over a summer’s worth of lawn service. Lauren’s sister made a bid, the woman next to her saying something that made the rest of the table laugh. As Lauren’s companions turned their attention to other things, Lauren whispered something in Deandra’s ear, grabbed a small handbag from the floor and stood, moving quickly toward the door and out of the room.
Five minutes passed, then ten as Seth tried to convince himself not to follow. He didn’t do a good job of it and finally gave up the effort, pushing back his chair and standing.
“Are you leaving already?” Jeannine looked up from a dinner roll she was slathering with butter.
“Just going to call and make sure my son isn’t giving the babysitter grief. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“As if that sweet young man could ever give anyone trouble.”
“I won’t tell him you called him sweet.” Seth strode away from the table.
The lobby was empty, the sounds of laughter drifting in from the events room barely disturbing the refined air the inn worked so hard to maintain. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket, dialing his home number as he stepped outside into cool September air, his gaze scanning the parking lot.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Reese. It’s Seth.”
“Is everything okay?” Reese sounded as bubbly as ever. Apparently her ten-year-old charge hadn’t worn her out yet.
“Everything is fine. I just thought I’d check in. Make sure my son wasn’t giving you trouble about his bedtime.”
“You know he is. He wants more time to read the book I brought him.” A junior at Magnolia College, Reese had been Jake’s babysitter for two years. Seth had come to value her dependability. Being a single parent was hard. Having reliable child care made things easier.
“How much time do you plan to give him?”
“You know me too well. Is a half hour okay?”
“Works for me, but tell him that if he values tomorrow’s fishing trip, he’d better not push for more.”
“I will. See you when you get home.” The phone clicked as Reese disconnected, and Jake shook his head, smiling a little as he thought of his son and Reese conspiring to extend Jake’s bedtime. Dependable or not, Reese wasn’t nearly as far from her childhood as Seth was from his. That made her more likely to allow later bedtimes and extra snacks. Which was fine with Seth.
Once in a while.
And that was as frequently as he went out. According to Jeannine and a few other well-meaning neighbors and church ladies that wasn’t nearly enough, but Seth wasn’t in the market for a relationship. One marriage was enough for a lifetime.
He pushed aside the thought and the memories that went with it, and turned back toward the inn. That’s when he saw her—sitting on a bench near the corner of the building, her shoulders slumped, her dark hair spilling forward to cover her face. Lola. Despite what she said, despite what she wanted, that’s how he thought of Lauren. The nickname was one he’d coined when he’d met her his sophomore year of high school. A transplant from New Orleans, Lauren had seemed lost and alone as she wandered through the cafeteria of their Savannah high school. When she’d glanced his way and offered a sweet smile, Seth’s adolescent heart had melted. Despite his determination to keep the past at bay, the memories washed over him, bittersweet in their simplicity.
“You new?”
“Yes. I’m Lauren Owens. From Louisiana.”
“Well, Lauren Owens from Louisiana, it looks like you could use a friend. I’m Seth Chartrand. Want to have lunch with me?”
“I was looking for my sister.”
“No problem, Lola, I’ll help you find her. We can all have lunch together.”
Even now, the memory made him smile. Friendship had blossomed that day. From there love had grown. Unfortunately, Seth hadn’t known enough about life to value it. He liked to tell himself he’d matured since then. Sometimes he almost believed it.
He moved toward her, grass and leaves crackling beneath his feet, the sweet scent of newly mown lawn heavy in the air. “You look like you could use a friend.”
She tensed, but didn’t turn toward him. “No. Just some fresh air.”
“I guess that makes two of us.” He kept his words casual, ignoring her not so subtle dismissal.
“You shouldn’t have followed me out here, Seth.”
“Who said I did?”
“Didn’t you?”
“I thought you might like an explanation.”
“As long as you have the money to pay for what you bought, no explanation is necessary.” She stood, moving a few steps away, her lean form taut with whatever she was feeling. Eleven years ago he would have known, would have been able to read the look in her eyes, the expression on her face. Now she was a puzzle he couldn’t quite solve.
“Maybe not, but I’m going to give you one anyway. My son has severe food allergies, Lauren. Making meals he can eat and enjoy is difficult. I thought learning from an expert in the field might make his life easier.”
She nodded, but there was no softening in her expression. “You’ll have to make me a list of what he’s allergic to. I’ll put together meal ideas based on that. Do you have an e-mail address where I can send the menu?”
“Sure.” He pulled out a business card and handed it to her. “I’ll call you tomorrow with the list of allergens.”
“It’ll be easier if you e-mail it to me.” She handed him her card, and Seth glanced down at her e-mail and business address. Savannah. She hadn’t moved far from home. At least in this she hadn’t surprised him. The Lauren he’d dated had always been content to be near home and family.
He, on the other hand, had been desperate for adventure and freedom.
“How does this work? Do I come to you? Or will you come to me?”
“Once the menu is agreed on, I’ll come to your house to prepare the food.”
“That’s a lot of miles on your car.”
“I’ll do the week’s worth of cooking in one visit.” She shrugged. “Even if I didn’t, it wouldn’t be a big deal. I’m staying with Dee for the next two weeks.”
“Vacation?”
“And favor. Steff asked me to take part in the auction. I agreed. Driving back and forth between Savannah and Magnolia Falls didn’t make sense. I figured I’d do the job, then take some time to relax.”
“Dee’s not in town, is she?” If she was, she must stay close to home. Seth had yet to run into her.
“No, but she’s close enough.” She smiled and it was the same sweet curve of her lips he’d noticed the first time he’d seen her.
“You haven’t changed, Lola.”
“The fact that you say that just proves how little you know about me.” She ran a hand over loose curls, avoiding eye contact. “I’d better head back in.”
He should let her go. She was right after all. He didn’t know her. But he did know that tonight had to be as uncomfortable for her as it was for him. Seeing each other after all these years, trying hard not to remember the way things had been, the way they had ended. If it was hard for him, it must be doubly difficult for Lauren.
Before she could walk away, he put his hand on her arm, feeling firm muscles beneath silky fabric. “I’m sorry if my winning your services is uncomfortable for you.”
“Tonight was about raising funds for Magnolia College. As long as I’ve helped do that, I’m not uncomfortable with the outcome.”
“You’re sure?”
“Of course. I think we’re both professional enough to keep the past where it belongs.”
“Professional enough? Sure. But that doesn’t change the facts.”
“What facts, Seth? That we dated years ago? That you broke up with me? That same story plays out a million times a year with a million couples. It’s not something we need to make an issue of.”
Maybe they didn’t, but it was an issue for Seth. Being near Lauren brought back memories he’d spent a long time trying to forget. Maybe tonight was about more than Jake and his food allergies. Maybe it was about making amends. Not that that was possible. He’d broken Lauren’s heart, laughed at her dreams, calling them boring and mundane. Just thinking about it was enough to make him cringe. “The past is still between us. Whether we make an issue of it or not.”
“Look, Seth—”
Seth’s cell phone rang, interrupting her words. He glanced at the number, his chest tightening with worry. Reese didn’t call unless there was a problem. “It’s my son’s babysitter. I’ve got to take this.”
Lauren moved a few steps away, but didn’t return to the inn. “Hello?”
“Seth, it’s Reese. Jacob’s having a reaction to something. He’s breathing okay, but I think you’d better come home.”
“Did he have anything to eat besides what I left for him?”
“Nothing.”
“Are you certain?” He started toward his car, his stomach clenching with anxiety. Jake’s reactions ranged from mild to severe depending on the allergen.
“If he had anything else, he’s not admitting it.”
“I’ll be home in ten minutes.” He slid the phone into his pocket, started toward his car.
“Is everything okay?” Lauren kept pace beside him, her words filled with worry.
“I’m not sure. My son is having an allergic reaction to something. I’ve got to get home to make sure he’s okay and to convince him to be a little more honest about what he’s had to eat.”
“Why don’t I come with you? Once you get things settled, we can go over the list of his allergens. That way I can get started on the menu right away.”
Surprised, Seth paused with his hand on the car door, turning to face Lauren. “And get our business over with more quickly?”
She shrugged, a thick dark curl sliding over her shoulder and resting at the V of her dress. “The sooner we do, the sooner I can get started on my vacation.”
“I think maybe I should be insulted.”
“It’s nothing personal.” And neither was their business agreement. She didn’t have to add the rest for Seth to hear it.
“I get that.”
“If you’d rather we take care of things by e-mail and phone, that’s fine.”
“Now works. If you don’t think you’ll be missed.”
“I’ll be missed, but I’ll give Dee a call on her cell phone to let her know what’s going on.”
“Then let’s go.” He rounded the car, pulled open the passenger side door, inhaling a whiff of subtle perfume as Lauren slid in.
Perfume. Understated elegance. Dark wild curls. Confidence. Not the Lauren he’d dated for five years.
The changes should have made her a stranger. They didn’t. And as Seth started the engine and drove toward home, he couldn’t help thinking that having her in his car, having her beside him felt good. Even right.
And that was something he shouldn’t be thinking at all.
THREE
Lauren needed to learn how to keep her mouth shut. That much was obvious. First, she’d offered to take part in Steff’s auction. Now, she’d invited herself to Seth’s house. What was it going to be next? Offering to cook an extra week of meals for free?
Just the thought of spending more time with Seth and his son made her cringe.
She needed to keep as much distance between herself and Seth as possible because, no matter how much she might want to claim otherwise, he still affected her. His smile could still make her pulse accelerate and her world tilt; looking into his eyes could still make her melt.
Fortunately, her head knew enough to keep her heart in check. Seth had the same charming personality that had attracted her when she’d been a shy teenager, but she wasn’t a teenager anymore. She was a woman with a career, friends, a social life. Or as much of one as she wanted.
“This is it.” Seth pulled into the driveway of a two-story farmhouse.
This was where he lived?
An old farmhouse?
He pushed open the door, and Lauren stepped inside. She’d been expecting something modern and sleek, but the dimly lit foyer had turn-of-the-century charm—wide planked floors, crown molding, a chandelier that looked original to the house, an atmosphere that whispered “home.”
Seth pulled the door shut and started up the steps, calling out as he went, the deep timbre of his voice tinged with worry. “Reese? Jake?”
“We’re in Jake’s room.” The feminine voice had to belong to the babysitter. A college student? A relative?
Lauren moved down the length of the foyer, her gaze lingering on the framed photos that hung on the wall. Most were family portraits. First Seth and a stunning blond dressed in wedding finery and smiling into each other’s eyes. Then Seth standing behind the woman, his hand on her shoulder, his gaze on the tiny infant she held. Two more family photos followed, the infant older in each, but still small and fragile looking. The next photos were of Seth and his son, the boy more robust and sturdy, his mother absent.
“I probably need to get more interesting art for that wall.” Seth spoke as he descended the stairs, his voice different than it had been years ago. Deeper, rougher, but still with an edge of polish and charm Lauren knew most women would find hard to resist.
Good thing she wasn’t most women. “Why? Family photos are the best kind of artwork.”
“They make my son happy, anyway. He loves looking at them and trying to remember the day they were taken.”
Which seemed to imply that they didn’t make Seth happy. Lauren had heard rumors about his marriage, the difficulties he and his wife had had. Whether or not those rumors were true didn’t make any difference to her. He’d made his choice. She might not have been happy at the time, but in the end it had been for the best. “Your son is adorable and your wife was beautiful. I was sorry to hear of your loss.”
“Thank you.” The words were simple, his gaze lingering for just a moment on the wedding photo before he turned his attention back to her. “Jake and Reese will be down in a minute.”
“Did he tell you what he’d eaten?”
“A cupcake a friend at school gave him.”
“Store-bought?”
“No. Homemade.”
“Even worse.”
“So I’ve told him a thousand or so times. Come on in the kitchen, and I’ll give you the list of the food Jake is allergic to.” He led her down the hall and into a brightly lit kitchen. Granite countertops, white cabinets and stainless steel appliances made for an updated space without distracting from the beauty of the antique wood floor and trim. It was the kind of kitchen Lauren loved to work in, the kind she would have had if she lived in her own home rather than a rental.
“Here you go.” Seth handed her a laminated sheet of paper.
Tree nuts. Peanuts. Milk. Gluten. “His diet is quite limited.”
“I’m hoping you can change that.”
“I can give you ideas for interesting meals. A lot of kid-friendly stuff that uses other ingredients, but tastes almost the same as what his peers are eating.” The sooner the better. Being in Seth’s house, seeing the pictures of his wife and son only made her more anxious to fulfill her obligation and put the entire experience behind her.
“That’s exactly what I’m looking for. This year has been tough for Jake. He wants to fit in with the other kids, but no matter where he goes or what he’s doing, food is an issue.”
Before Lauren could respond, a young boy rushed into the room, his red-gold hair mussed, pink blotches marring his neck and arms. “Hey, Dad…” He saw Lauren and skidded to a stop, his cheeks going scarlet. “Oh. Hi. You must be the cook.”
“That’s right. And you must be Jacob.”
“And since we’re all introducing ourselves, I’m Reese.” A young blond stepped into the room, her makeup perfect, her hair artfully tousled. The babysitter? If so, she wasn’t the kind of babysitter Lauren remembered from her own youth.
“I’m Lauren Owens.”
“Good to meet you.” Reese smiled and moved up beside Seth, her posture staking a claim Lauren wasn’t sure she had a right to.
Not that the validity of her claim mattered. Seth’s dating life had nothing to do with Lauren.
“Dad said you’re going to make some cool food for me to bring to school.”
“I said Lauren was going to teach us how to cook some more interesting meals. I didn’t say anything about her making food for you to bring to school.”
“Oh.” Jake’s cheeks turned a shade darker, his slumped shoulders and obvious embarrassment tugging at Lauren’s heart. She knew exactly how he felt. Her own childhood had seemed like one big blur of timidity and embarrassment.
“Your dad paid for a week’s worth of meals. That includes lunches, so I’ll definitely be making you some things to take to school.”
“Cool. Can you make cookies without gluten or nuts?”
“Sure.”
“How about brownies?”
“Yep.”
“Can you—”
“Jake.” Seth’s quiet reprimand was enough to heat Jake’s cheeks again.
Poor kid. “I’ve got a lot of ideas, but I want to get them all together before we discuss them more.”
“When will that be?”
“Not tonight.” Seth put a hand on his son’s shoulder. “I’ve got to take Lauren home. Do you mind staying for a little longer, Reese?”
“Not at all.” The perky peppiness of the words reminded Lauren of the cheerleaders she’d known in high school.
“She doesn’t have to stay, Dad. I’ll be fine by myself for a while.”
“You’re ten. Not twenty, Jake. And I’m not ready to leave you home alone yet.”
“I’ll call Dee and have her come pick me up.”
“There’s no need for that. Reese is happy to stay, and I’m happy to give you a ride. You be good, kid.” Seth ruffled his son’s hair and started toward the kitchen door.
Lauren could argue or follow.
She met Reese’s gaze, saw the younger woman’s curiosity and decided to argue after she followed Seth out of the room.
Outside, the night had grown silent and still, the air cool with late summer and darkness. Overhead, the moon shone bright in a clear star-dappled sky. It was the perfect night for long walks and hand-holding, for quiet conversation and whispered promises. A perfect night for romance if a person was into that sort of thing.
Lauren definitely wasn’t. A few dates. A few dinners. A few phone conversations. She didn’t let things go further than that. She didn’t want them to. Dating was fine. Making plans, sharing dreams, those were other things entirely.
“I suppose you’re going to insist on calling Dee.” Seth spoke quietly as Lauren moved toward the edge of the porch.
“It makes more sense than having you take me to her place.”
“Maybe, but I don’t think Dee will appreciate you cutting into her evening. Besides, I owe you one.”
“You’ve paid for the services I’m providing, Seth. You don’t owe me anything.”
“I haven’t paid yet.”
“You still don’t owe me anything.”
“No, but if I were anyone else, you’d take the ride and let Dee enjoy her evening.”
“Maybe.”
“Maybe?”
“Probably.”
“So, let me give you a ride.” He grinned, the fine lines near the corners of his eyes deepening and wiping away whatever vestiges of the boy she’d known remained. No more gangly teenager or broad-shouldered young man. Seth was hard edges and muscle hidden beneath charming wrappings.
Someone worth avoiding.
Which was why she should get out her phone and call Dee.
Of course she wouldn’t because that would mean letting Seth know just how desperate she was to keep her distance. “All right. As long as it’s no trouble.”
“None at all.” His fingers brushed against her lower back as he urged her down the steps and toward the car.
Lauren took a quick step away, uncomfortable with the warmth that spread through her at his touch. She would not react to Seth.
“You don’t have to run away, Lola. I don’t bite.”
“I’m not running. And I told you not to call me that.”
“Old habit.” He opened the passenger side door, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “I’ll try to break it.”
“Please do.”
He chuckled, the sound vibrating in the air and tickling against her ear as she slid into the car. Riding to Dee’s house with Seth was one more bad decision piled on top of several others. It was past time to stop making them. Unfortunately, she seemed to be on a roll. After months of avoiding men and relationships she was sitting in a car with the one man she would have been happy to never see again. The only man she’d ever truly loved. The man who’d shown her just how fickle love could be.
“You’re quiet.” Seth’s voice was soft silk and dark chocolate. The kind of decadence that could get a woman into trouble if she let it.
“Just thinking.”
“About?”
You. “Jake. He reminds me a little of myself when I was his age.”
“It’s funny you should say that. I’ve often thought that he could be…” He shrugged. “He reminds me of you, too. A little shy. A little cautious.”
“A little boring?”
“You were never boring.”
But she hadn’t been interesting enough to keep his attention. “I’m sure Jake isn’t, either. Does he play sports?”
“Just baseball. His size has been an issue. He’s a lot smaller than other boys his age.”
“But he has other activities he enjoys?”
“Music. Video games. Playing with his friends. Normal ten-year-old stuff.”
They were on safer conversational ground, and Lauren planned to stay there. “He seems like a good kid.”
“He is. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of how blessed I am to have him.”
A child was a blessing. One that Lauren had longed for when she’d been dreaming of marriage. Nowadays, she tried not to think about what her life was missing, concentrating instead on what she had.
“You really are blessed, Seth.” Her throat was tight around the words, and she cleared it. Maybe this conversation wasn’t as safe as she’d thought it. “I’d better call Dee.”
A quick phone call provided Dee with minimum information and probably had her anxious to hear the details. Lauren would fill her in later. For now, she just wanted to get back to Dee’s guesthouse and away from Seth.
“Is she okay with you skipping out on her?”
“Of course. Dee is always fine on her own.”
“I take it she still loves to party?”
“She loves to be around people. That’s always been her gift. Take the next left. Dee’s house is just a few miles from here.”
“You seem like you’ve gotten more comfortable with crowds, too.”
“Eleven years is plenty of time to get comfortable with just about anything.” And that was all she was going to say on the subject. Seth didn’t need to know how hard that first year without him had been, or how she’d realized that she’d relied on him too much. “Why don’t you tell me a little about what Jake enjoys eating?”
Seth shot a look in her direction, but didn’t comment on her quick change in subject. “The kind of stuff any kid loves—pizza, hamburgers, chicken. Sweets. At least those are the things he’d like to eat.”
“I can make some variations that he’ll enjoy.”
“Sounds good. Where to now?”
“Turn right. Dee’s house is there. The first one on the left.”
Seth pulled into the driveway.
Finally.
Lauren shoved the car door open and hopped out. “Thanks for the ride, Seth. I’ll be in touch.”
She started toward the house, wobbling a little in her heels as she moved from the paved driveway to a stone path that led to the backyard.
“You’re not going inside?” Seth stepped up beside her.
“No. Dee has a guesthouse out back. I’m staying there.”
“I’ll walk you around.”
“There’s no need.”
“Of course there is.”
“Seth—”
“A body was found buried under the sidewalk at the college a week ago, Lauren. A little caution makes sense.”
“Whatever happened to that poor girl happened a long time ago. I don’t think I need to worry about it.”
“No? If she was murdered, a killer is walking free. I think that’s something we all need to be concerned about.”
Lauren wasn’t sure she agreed, but Seth’s words still made her shiver. “If she was murdered. It’s possible she died of natural causes or that she fell into the construction area and died from her injuries.”