“I’ve got it. You should go back and hang with your friends.”
“Guests, you mean. I’ll get the supplies.”
“I already have them.” She gestured to the bag. “I thought you were going home to study.”
“I was, but the writers group needed my help with something.”
Theromancewriters. “I’ll just bet they did.”
He cut her a confused look. “What? They were just getting some advice.”
“I’m sure they were.” She gave a wry chuckle. “I didn’t know you were such an expert on romance.” Had that sounded catty? Well, she was feeling a little catty. But that didn’t make any sense.
“Hey, Jonah,” Donna called. “Cara has another question.”
The young pretty woman propped her chin on her hand and smiled boldly at Jonah.
Lauren turned her gaze back to him. “Cara has another question,” she deadpanned. She stood and set off for the other lighter. What was wrong with her? Was she actuallyjealous? Jonah was only a friend and that’s the way she wanted it.
Wasn’t it?
Yes, she definitely wanted it that way. She’d been over this. If this whole ordeal with the concussion had taught her anything, it was how much she wanted that job in Boston. She’d worked hard to get where she was. And she wouldn’t give it up for any man. She was not her mom, turning her back on what mattered for some random guy.
The thought spawned the childhood memory she’d relived a thousand times. Her mom leaving with a man Lauren hadn’t recognized. She’d stood in the window of their trailer, waiting for Mom to turn and wave as she usually did when she left her with their neighbor Miss Sheila. But this time her mom didn’t turn around.
This time her mom didn’t return.
Sheila kept her for a couple days, and when a woman showed up at the door, it wasn’t her mom. The adults talked in hushed tones while Lauren enjoyed cookies in the kitchen. Then the stranger joined her at the table.
“Hi, Lauren. We need to talk, sweetheart.” Then she explained what was happening in a soft, kind voice that contradicted her frightening message.
A while later Miss Sheila emerged from the hallway with Lauren’s bag. Lauren screamed and cried as the woman took her away. It was the beginning of a very volatile period of her life.
Lauren pushed away the dark memory and rubbed the tattoo on her inner wrist. She was finally in charge of her own future, and she wasn’t about to hand that control over to anyone else.
So why had that pretty woman ogling Jonah stirred up these unsettling feelings? Carson had spoken with her about the brain’s complexity. Maybesome part of her remembered the relationship she and Jonah used to have. And that part of her had reacted with jealousy.
Yes. That made sense. Giving a satisfied nod, she entered the lodge and retrieved the lighter. Now that that was settled, she could put aside these silly feelings and join the party.
Chapter 18
June 7
Lauren waved good-bye to the Swansons as they exited the lodge, taking their lively tribe with them. “Safe travels!”
The smallest girl waved shyly. “Bye, Miss Lauren.”
“Bye, sweetheart. Enjoy the rest of your summer.”
When the door closed Jonah entered from the office. “That’s one big family. How many kids do they have?”
“Seven. They’re so fun though. I think they had a great time. They want to come back next year.”
“I saw you shooting hoops with them the other day.”
Lauren’s face heated. “I’m, uh, not very athletic.”
“Really? I didn’t notice.”
