Free Harmony Cabins by Regina Hart Page A

Darius shifted toward him. “It’s not about you, either. It’s about Zoey. She was worried you wouldn’t have anyone to take care of you.”
    Jack looked away. It was killing him to hear how scared his daughter had been as she was dying. But she hadn’t been afraid for herself. She’d been worried for him. Hearing that made him feel worse. But Darius’s words kept coming.
    â€œHow do you think she would feel if she saw you now? You don’t look anything like her beloved dad.”
    â€œStop it.” Jack’s pulse raced.
    â€œWhat would she think if she saw what you allowed to happen?”
    â€œStop.” Jack couldn’t catch his breath.
    â€œHow do you think she would feel, knowing her worst fear has come true? You look more like the Beast from her favorite fairy tale than her father.”
    Jack jerked toward his tormentor. This was the second time someone had compared his appearance to the beast in “Beauty and the Beast.” “I know what you’re doing.”
    â€œNo one said you were stupid.”
    Jack breathed heavily. “And you’re smarter than you look.”
    â€œDon’t let that get around.”
    â€œDon’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.
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    â€œMom, 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?”
    â€œYou 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.
    â€œI 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.”
    â€œYou 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.
    â€œGood.” Ellen’s voice was full of satisfaction. “Now your father and I can rest easier, knowing exactly where