Harmony Cabins (Finding Home 2)

“Don’t worry.” Jack stood. “Belinda, do you have time for me?”

Silence settled over the salon.

A huge grin stretched the salon owner’s painted lips. “Jack, honey, I’ll make time for you.”

A round of applause and shouts of encouragement broke the peace.

Jack turned in time to see Darius walk out of the salon. He’d thought his friend would want to watch the fruits of his manipulation. They’d see each other again, though. For now, Jack was more interested in Audra’s reaction to his soon-to-be neater appearance.

“Mom, why do you need the cabin’s address?” Audra adjusted her hold on her cell phone. She wandered the great room Wednesday afternoon, hoping the movement would help her understand her mother’s train of thought.

Ellen exhaled an impatient breath. “Suppose I need to get in touch with you?”

“You have my cell phone number. You don’t need the cabin’s address.” Audra paused beside the front window and tipped its curtain aside. The sun was bright and warm on the front lawn. A gentle breeze ruffled the leaves along the tree line.

“I can take care of myself, Mom. I wish you’d stop smothering me and making me afraid to try new things.”

The past six days in the small town of Trinity Falls, she’d grown more than she had in her thirty-one years in Los Angeles.

Her mother sniffed. “I didn’t realize I was doing that.”

“You were.” It was with Jack’s company and encouragement that she felt comfortable enough to explore.

She hadn’t seen him since Monday. She missed the grumpy rental owner. She’d been going to Books & Bakery, but her new friends’ company wasn’t the same. However, Audra had gone jogging later this morning deliberately to avoid Jack and memories of their brief but powerful kiss. Obviously, the strategy wasn’t working, since her mind seemed consumed with both. Audra let the pale green curtain swing back into place.

Ellen continued making her case. “I need the resort’s address, Audra. Suppose something happens to you and I can’t reach you on your phone? Are the address and phone number secret? You can’t even tell your own mother?”

Audra smothered a sigh. “OK, Mom. I’ll give you the information. You don’t have to lay on the guilt trip.”

She crossed the great room on her way to her bedroom. She’d left the rental’s brochure in her nightstand. She read its main address and phone number to her mother, waiting while Ellen repeated the information to her.

“Good.” Ellen’s voice was full of satisfaction. “Now your father and I can rest easier, knowing exactly where you are.”

“How’s Dad?” Audra returned the brochure to her nightstand and closed the drawer.

“He’s fine. He’s worried about you, though. He hasn’t said anything, but I can tell.”

Audra rolled her eyes in amusement. “Please tell Dad there’s no need for either of you to worry about me. I’m fine.”

“There’s no reasoning with your father about this. He won’t relax until you’re home.” Ellen paused. “When are you coming home?”

Audra held on to her patience. She loved her mother, but sometimes . . . “My deadline is August fourth.”

&n

bsp; Ellen hesitated. “Have you spoken with Wendell?”

“No, Mom. Wendell and I broke up months ago. You know that.” Audra sank onto the edge of the bed.

“I know the two of you had a disagreement, but you can work through it. He wants to talk with you.”

“He used me, Mom.”

“He cares about you, Audra. He worries that you work too hard. So do I. He understands that there’s more to life than work. That’s something you need to know, too.”

“I’ve been having some fun here.” Audra lay back on the bed. The mattress was heavenly, not too hard and not too soft. Just perfect.

“What have you been doing?”