Free Harmony Cabins by Regina Hart Page B

you are.”
    â€œHow’s Dad?” Audra returned the brochure to her nightstand and closed the drawer.
    â€œHe’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.”
    â€œThere’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.”
    Ellen hesitated. “Have you spoken with Wendell?”
    â€œNo, Mom. Wendell and I broke up months ago. You know that.” Audra sank onto the edge of the bed.
    â€œI know the two of you had a disagreement, but you can work through it. He wants to talk with you.”
    â€œHe used me, Mom.”
    â€œHe 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.”
    â€œI’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.
    â€œWhat have you been doing?”
    â€œI went fishing Monday.”
    Why had she mentioned that? It just reminded her of Jack—and a kiss that had been so wonderful, even if it had been so wrong. He’d smelled of fresh air and pinecones. His lips had been soft and warm. His taste had been . . . Audra sprang upright.
    Ellen exhaled. “I’m glad you’re finding time to have fun, although fishing doesn’t sound like much fun to me.”
    Audra’s laughter was forced. “You should try it. I didn’t think I’d enjoy it at first, either.”
    Yet, how much of her enjoyment had been from fishing and how much had been due to Jack? She didn’t want to examine that question too closely.
    Ellen gave her a noncommittal hum. “What else have you been doing?”
    â€œI met some very nice people.”
    â€œOther tourists?”
    Audra stood and left the bedroom. “No, townspeople. Trinity Falls is celebrating its sesquicentennial.”
    â€œOh, one hundred and fifty years. That’s nice.”
    Audra walked to the great room. She stopped beside the dark fabric sofa and stared at her guitar resting on its cushions. “The town’s hosting its Founders Day Celebration August ninth.”
    â€œOh, that’s too bad. They’re going to have it right after you leave.”
    â€œI was thinking of staying for it.”
    â€œBut, Audra, you said your deadline is August fourth. You’re already going to be gone so long.”
    â€œIt’s just a few more days, Mom.” Audra settled onto the sofa. “I’d better get back to work.”
    â€œOh, all right. But give Wendell a call.”
    â€œMom . . .”
    â€œHe’s sorry, Audra.”
    â€œI don’t care. ‘Fool me once, shame on you.’ He won’t have a chance to fool me a second time.”
    â€œDon’t be so hard. Call him.” With that, Ellen disconnected the call.
    Call him? Perhaps when hell froze over. She needed someone who was real. Someone she could trust. But where do you find someone like that?

    The knock on her door Wednesday afternoon came just as Audra was getting ready to wash her lunch dishes. There was only one person who would visit her, Jack.
    Her heart leaped and executed a series of spins like a champion figure skater. She hadn’t realized quite how much she’d missed seeing him yesterday.
    Audra took a moment to catch her breath before crossing the cabin. She pulled the door open—and stared at a stranger with an ice box.
    â€œMay I help you?” Disappointment sat like a brick in her gut.
    He was a handsome stranger. His smooth sienna skin was taut over a