Free A McKaslin Homecoming (The McKaslin Clan) by Jillian Hart

loop,” Aubrey admonished her gently. “If you’d answer your cell phone—”
    “Or your e-mail,” Ava added.
    “Or checked a single message.” A middle-aged, motherly looking woman approached, squeezing past Spence who glowered in front of the store. “You don’t know a thing about me, Lauren, but I am so glad to finally meet you. My Rebecca and you are almost the same age.”
    “This is Dorrie.” Aubrey leaned in to explain. “Our stepmom.”
    Stepmom. Dorrie didn’t look like any stepmother Lauren had ever seen before. She radiated maternal caring. She took it upon herself to smooth the flyaway hair from Lauren’s blurry eyes. She couldn’t tellif she was grateful or wistful that this woman had replaced Mom in the family. She seemed like everything a good mother should be. Everything Lauren had once needed.
    “Do you know what I’m going to do?” Dorrie asked as the group hug broke apart. “I’m gonna make my special potato salad for your welcome-home dinner tonight.”
    “Ooh, and your homemade rolls!” Ava pleaded.
    Dorrie laughed. “Yes, dearie, I’ll make your favorite rolls. This is a celebration. Our Lauren is back with us.”
    Not a single word could squeeze past the burning knot in her throat. Overwhelmed, she just stood there in the middle of her family like a robot in sleep mode. But her heart was like a too-full dam and the walls couldn’t hold it all. Inside, every wall she’d ever built against the loneliness of her childhood crumbled. The feeling of family—of being wanted—swept every defense away.
    “Ooh, I’ll make dessert!” Ava spoke loud enough to be heard, because everyone was talking at once. “Something chocolate. Lauren, do you like chocolate?”
    She managed to nod but still couldn’t speak. She had a family. For the first time in her life.
     
    Lauren had been on his mind all day, but when Caleb saw Spence marching across the driveway in his direction, he figured he knew the reason why. He gave the new gate latch a final twist of the screwdriver.
    Malia stuck her head over his shoulder to get a good look at her next challenge.
    “You leave it be, you hear me?” he told her with a wink and gathered up his tool bag. He met Spence halfway, dreading every step.
    Spence didn’t look happy. “You knew about her and you didn’t tell me.”
    “I figured it was Mary’s place to tell you.”
    “How long have we been friends?”
    “Since we were kids in Sunday school—”
    “That’s a long time. Secrets. That’s not what I’d expect of a longtime friend.” It was hurt that echoed in the lower tones of Spence’s voice, although he held himself as if angry.
    Caleb was sorry for that, too. “It wasn’t my place to get involved.”
    “I see. Well, if it’s not your place, thenwhose is it? Do you know what I saw today?”
    “I don’t know. What’s got you all worked up?” He dumped his tool bag into the back of his truck.
    “Seeing her with Gran. Acting as if she cared for her, taking her by the hand to help her out of the car, but ten to one she’s no different than Linda.”
    “Did you notice Lauren at all? She’s nice.”
    “So are a lot of people. Everyone’s got a little nice in them. It’s the flip side of that, that’s the problem.” Spence looked truly troubled. “What about Gran? Have you noticed how scattered she is?”
    “Not really.”
    “Well, look closer. She’s forgetting things and hiring private detectives to find long-lost relatives. She’s inviting perfect strangers into her home. She’s fragile. I’m worried about her welfare.”
    Caleb looked at his friend and saw the past, when he was the one with unplaced anger and frustration, fists clenched and jaw clamped so tightly his teeth ached. It was a helpless feeling watching your loved onesface the last part of their lives. He’d been there. “You’re worried about Mary. I am, too.”
    “You don’t look like it to me. She’s wealthy. She and Grandpop worked hard all