Lauren kept her cool all the way through the good-byes and until she ended the call. Then she let out a whoop that could be heard over the sounds of construction, and she might have even danced a little jig with Graham.
Chapter 28
As the days on the calendar sped by, Jonah’s anxiety ratcheted up. Somehow it was the last week of November, and he and Lauren were still barely on speaking terms. He’d hoped that since she’d recovered her dream job, she might let him off the hook. But no.
In the five and a half weeks since she’d confronted him on his doorstep, she avoided him whenever possible. When she did speak, it was with that overly polite tone he remembered from her early days at Pinehaven. Her smiles were downright frosty.
He’d already apologized multiple times in person and via text. She had a right to be upset. But the longer it dragged on, the more he suspected her anger was just a convenient shield. She’d gotten a second chance at that position, and she wasn’t about to risk it by allowing him back into her life.
His bruised heart gave a pitiful thump. Sure, she couldn’t recall what they’d had before, but it hurt just the same. Surely there was some part of her, deep down, that remembered the love they’d shared. He couldn’t imagine all those amazing feelings and wonderful memories being completely eradicated as hers apparently had. It was impossible not to take it personally.
Especially when she seemed to have drawn closer to the rest of his family, Meg in particular, during the impasse. He could hardly resent herfor it though. On the contrary—he was glad she had people here who loved her—people she could care about in return.
He arrived at the resort, stepped from his truck, and dashed through the blustery cold. The deciduous trees had shed their fall flesh, revealing skeletal fingers that pointed skyward. Already a few inches of snow had fallen, though it had soon melted away.
As he entered the lodge, a crackling fire and the strains of “Winter Wonderland” greeted him. His mom started with the Christmas music the second Halloween passed. She also went over the top with decorations. Though she wouldn’t put them up until the day after Thanksgiving since she used live garlands and trees.
Yes,trees. A giant one in the lodge and a small one in each cabin. She loved when the smell of pine permeated the lodge, and their regular December guests anticipated seeing the decked-out property each year.
After hanging his coat on the rack, Jonah peeked in the office and found it empty. His parents’ SUV was outside, but they were probably upstairs in their living quarters. He headed through the lobby and toward the kitchen for a snack. Sustenance before facing his long-lost love.
But as luck would have it, Lauren was in the kitchen.
He stopped on the threshold, words jamming his throat.
She glanced up from the sandwich she was making on the island and smiled—an eight on the frosty scale. “Hello.”
“Hi.” He stuffed his hands into his jeans pockets. An awkward silence ensued. “How’s your week going?”
“Pretty slow. Only two cabins occupied.”
“It’ll pick up in December.” She would leave on the twentieth, less than four weeks away.
“That’s good.”
“How’s the barn coming along?” It had always been a favorite topic, and he longed to see her eyes light up the way they used to.
“Fine.” Her eyes were as flat as a skipping rock. “We’re on schedule.”
In other words, it would be finished before she hightailed it out of Pinehaven. And then he would be left with a ginormous red reminder of the one who got away. “I’d love to see it.” Yes, he was fishing for an invite. He was that desperate. If they could just hang out awhile, surely he could lower those walls yet again.
She capped the mayo. “Be careful of the wiring. The electrician isn’t finished yet.”
Well. No invite then. She wasn’t taking any chances, was she? Heaven forbid she let him in even a little. She might end up stuck here in Pinehaven for the rest of her life.
He dredged up a smile. “Anything you need?”
“Don’t think so.”
Okay then. He tried to think of something else to say. Something work related, just to keep her talking. Wow, he’d sunk so low.You’re pathetic, Landry.
“Hi, honey.” Mom entered the kitchen, slipped her arms around his waist, and gave him a squeeze. “What brings you out today? Don’t you have a class?”
“Just finished. Came to check out the barn’s progress.” And also to see if he could eke a few words and a brittle smile out of Lauren.
“Oh, it’s coming along great, isn’t it, Lauren?”
She aimed a tropical smile at his mom. “I’m very pleased with the work so far. I can’t wait to see the floor finished. They’re starting it next week. Fingers crossed the electric and plumbing will be complete by then. The ductwork is finished. Did you see the size of that furnace?”
