Harmony Cabins (Finding Home 2)

Megan shook her head. “But you shouldn’t give up your dreams, either.”

Doreen gestured toward Ean. “You understand what I’m talking about, don’t you? You came back from New York because you missed your friends and family.”

“My circumstances were different, Mom.” Ean spread his arms. “I left Trinity Falls to pursue my career, but it turned into a nightmare. That’s when I came home. You’re giving up your dream before it’s even started.”

Doreen turned away from the truth of Ean’s words. “I don’t want to disappoint either of you, but maybe this isn’t the right dream for me.”

Ean’s voice followed her. “Why not? Because it’s not what Leo wants?”

Doreen returned to her seat before meeting Ean’s gaze. “You’re criticizing Leo because he’s trying to tell me what to do, but so are you.”

Megan rested her elbows on her thighs. Her voice was earnest. “That’s not a fair comparison, Doreen. Leo’s trying to talk you out of doing what you want to do. We want you to make your own decision.”

“Of course you want me to stay in the election.” Doreen frowned at Megan. “It was your idea that I run for mayor.”

Megan shook her head. “I asked you to consider it because I know how much Trinity Falls means to you. You’ve been active in the community since before I was born. And you’ve had great ideas on how to improve it.”

Doreen crossed her arms, fighting the persuasion of Megan’s words. “But even Ean pointed out, I don’t have to be mayor to continue to have an impact on Trinity Falls.”

Megan and Ean exchanged looks before he spoke. “No, you don’t.”

Megan’s gaze bore into Doreen again. “This is about what you want, Doreen. We’ll support whatever you decide to do.”

Ean faced his mother again. “I understand how Leo feels. Remember, at first, I didn’t want you to run for office, either. But I changed my mind when I realized this is what you want. I care about you, Mom. I want you to be happy.”

Doreen read the unspoken question in Ean’s eyes.

If Leonard cares about me, wouldn’t he want me to be happy, too?

CHAPTER 17

“I’m done.” Audra made the announcement into her cell phone Monday evening. She added a little happy dance.

“Hallelujah.” Benita’s sarcasm wasn’t welcome.

“Hey, I beat the producer’s deadline by a week.” Audra tipped aside the sheer green curtains hanging in her front window.

July’s evening sky was painted an achingly warm blue. The modest front lawn rolled like a carpet toward the spread of evergreen and poplar trees that circled the cabin like playful overg

rown children. A gentle breeze tickled the leaves on their branches. In the distance, sunlight danced off the lake like diamonds on the water.

“Your medal’s in the mail. What time is it over there?” Benita seemed distracted. Was her business manager reading e-mail or going through snail mail during their call?

“It’s three o’clock, and I’d rather my check was in the mail.” Audra turned away from the window. “I’ll e-mail the files to the producer tonight. I want to listen to them one more time before letting them go.”

“Good. Copy me on that e-mail.”

“I always do.” Audra rested her hip on the arm of the dark plaid sofa. “I wrote an extra song, too.”

“Since when do you give away work?”

“I’m not. This song is just for me.” And perhaps one other. Restlessness drove Audra to her feet again. Her bare feet crossed from the cool wood flooring to the gray Berber area rug as she toured the room. “My muse was flowing, just as it had when I first started my career. It was great. You were right about my getting out of my comfort zone.”

“Of course I was right,” Benita sniffed. “I’m always right. You should accept that in the future, instead of arguing with me.”

Audra ignored the other woman’s interruption. “Or maybe it’s Trinity Falls.”

“What’s Trinity Falls?”