Free Love Me if You Dare by Carly Phillips

will.” Sara turned and headed for the stairs and the comfort of her room. Her knee ached, and she could use the time to lie down for a little while.
     
    S ARA MUST HAVE DOZED off. She jumped up, certain she’d been sleeping for longer than the half hour Angel had given her. A glance at her watch told her she’d been out for an hour.
    By the time Sara walked into the kitchen, Angel was surrounded by ingredients, bowls and a mixer. The scent of apple pie permeated the air, and a warm, tingling feeling filled Sara, making her wonder if this was what she’d missed growing up without a mother.
    The thought took hold, and she shivered, unable toescape the haunting feeling that she had missed out on something deep and fundamental. Something she’d never allowed herself to miss—or want—before.
    “Those pies look tiny,” Sara said, noticing the mini-piecrust holders spread out on the table.
    All day she’d been forcing the unsettling news about someone trying to track her accounts to the back of her mind by immersing herself in the present, and now was no different. She’d find comfort in easy things like making small talk and baking.
    Angel glanced up, her hands covered in flour as she kneaded dough. “I’m making individual pies for the festival. I’m working on the crust right now. Grab a roller. The dough will be ready in a second.”
    Sara glanced at the cluttered table as she settled into a chair beside her. “I haven’t baked in years.”
    Not since she’d turned herself into a little cook for her father. Birthday cake had been her specialty. But once out on her own, she’d worked long hours, and, on her days off, she kept busy by shopping and browsing as she walked through the city. She’d never thought to use her old baking skills as an outlet to relax or keep busy.
    Half an hour later, she’d rediscovered the magic. And the company was interesting. Rafe’s sister-in-law had an independent streak as long as Sara’s, and a good sense of humor.
    “So, how was dinner last night?” Angel asked.
    Sara raised her gaze. “Yours was delicious, but you’re not referring to that, are you?”
    Angel shook her head, a guilty smile on her face. “Sorry I didn’t warn you, but I figured you might not want to show up uninvited. But I know my in-laws. They love company.”
    Sara nodded. “They welcomed me with open arms, but I’d have appreciated a heads-up anyway.”
    “Next time,” Angel said with an easy shrug. Obviously, she didn’t feel too badly about sending her over.
    “I’d already met Mr. and Mrs. Mancuso when they came to visit Rafe in the hospital,” Sara said. “I like them.”
    Angel gestured to the flour, indicating that Sara should coat the prep area so the mixture wouldn’t stick.
    Sara followed her lead with each step.
    “My in-laws are good people. I just wish they’d stop pushing for Nick and me to get back together. It’s not as easy as they think.”
    In between instructions on how to make piecrust, Angel confided in Sara about her miscarriage and the reason behind the breakup of her marriage. According to Angel, she wanted to move on and put her energy into building the B and B. Nick wanted to constantly talk about what had happened, what it meant to them both. But Angel felt that talking aboutthe most painful thing in her life wouldn’t change the fact that she’d never be a mother. Her choices were to try again and risk miscarrying over and over or adopt. Not wanting to deal with any more disappointment, she’d chosen to give birth to her business instead.
    She needed the stimulation the B and B provided. And for Angel, best of all, it didn’t leave her with time to think about their loss and her inability to have children.
    Nick wanted the life they had had.
    Angel couldn’t go back.
    All things Sara innately understood.
    “But Rafe seems to get why I need this.” Angel waved her arm around the small kitchen, but Sara knew she was really referring to the entire