She looked at her son. “Jess, no.”
“I’ll ask Adam.” He hurried away as fast as he’d come, and Janey huffed.
“Thanks for that, Trent,” she said, seemingly put out. “Adam will say yes. He can’t tell Jess no.”
Trent smiled and said, “Well, that’s what dads do.” He squeezed Lauren’s hand. “Can I talk to you outside for a second?”
“Sure,” she said, and he tugged her away from the other two women, away from the joyous festivities in the house, away from all the delicious smells.
“What’s going on?” she asked as he brought the door closed behind him.
“Nothing,” he said. “I just wanted to kiss you.” He grinned at her, feeling a bit wolfish, and she laughed.
“So you think you can do that whenever now, huh?”
“I didn’t even get to see you yesterday.” The affairs at the community center were in a frenzy, with last-minute details, booths, and décor going up.
“At least everything’s ready for the Festival of Trees on Friday,” she said.
“Yeah, but then I’ll be on graveyard duty for three weeks,” he said, wrapping his arms around her and bringing her close, close to his heart.
“Who takes care of Porter while you’re on graveyards?”
“I have someone who sleeps at the house with him,” he said. “Adam worked it out with me and another guy—Phil Dryden, who loves to work graveyards. I only do three weeks every other rotation, and I don’t go in until nine. I’m off by seven, so it’s a ten-hour shift instead of twelve.” He touched the tip of his nose to hers. “So I can get Porter to bed, and be there when he wakes up.”
“Mm,” she said, her eyes closed already.
“So can I kiss you now?” he asked.
“Oh, you might as well,” she whispered, tipping up to meet his mouth. Kissing Lauren was almost an out-of-body experience for Trent, and he felt time lengthen into slow strands as they moved in tandem.
Someone cleared their throat, and Lauren ducked her head, breaking the kiss and hiding halfway behind Trent.
“Dinner’s ready,” Adam said, a laugh in his voice. “I’ll tell them you need a minute?” He grinned and pointed to Trent’s face. “Might want to wipe off that lipstick.” He went back inside and said, “Yeah, they went for a walk. It’ll be just a sec,” before the door closed.
Trent started laughing, but quieted quickly when Lauren didn’t. “What?” he asked.
“It’s embarrassing,” she said.
“It is?” Trent peered at her. “You’re the one who’s supposed to be wearing lipstick.” He wiped at his mouth, glad when he’d teased a smile out of her. “And it doesn’t matter. They all know we’re together anyway.”
“That’s true.” Lauren ran her fingers through her hair and stood up straight. “I look okay?”
“Better than okay, sweetheart.” He smiled at her, everything inside him softening.
“You know,” she said slowly, taking a small step toward the door. “I could stay with Porter while you’re on the graveyard shift.”
Trent paused, not quite sure what to say. “Yeah?”
“Yeah, I mean, it’s just sleeping, and he knows me.”
He knew Randi too, but Trent didn’t say that. Lauren opened the door and said, “Just something to think about,” before she went inside.
Trent followed her and joined the group. Mabel pointed to the table. “Porter has made place cards for each of you. So find your spot, and let’s get eating.” She glanced at Trent and added in a voice that no one could hear over the movement of feet and the scuffing of chairs being pulled out, “And you still have lipstick on.”
Chapter Sixteen
Lauren had never felt as much gratitude in her life as she did at that Thanksgiving dinner. She didn’t know everyone at the table extremely well, but they were kind. They laughed quickly. Janey and Gretchen included her in their conversations and lunch plans, which she’d have to break later anyway.
She sat between Adam and Aunt Mabel, with Trent a few places away, right next to Porter. She could easily meet his eye across the table, and every time she did, a zing of attraction zipped up her spine.
The man had completely captivated her, and she felt like she’d jumped out of an airplane without a parachute.
“All right,” Aunt Mabel said in her weathered voice once everyone had almost finished eating. “I’d like to have a few minutes where we talk about things we’re grateful for.” She beamed around at the people at the table. “I know you all from different things, times, and places, but you’re all very dear to me.” She patted Lauren’s hand and then held it tight. “After I die, I want you all to get together and talk about how wonderful I am.”
Everyone laughed, and Lauren did too, though a hitch of sadness hit her heart. She couldn’t imagine Hawthorne Harbor without Aunt Mabel.
“After all,” she continued. “Not a single one of you would be where you are without me.”
They all consented with nods, and Adam leaned down and kissed Janey’s temple. “She’s right, you know. She told me not to let Janey push me away, and I listened.”
“For once,” Aunt Mabel said in a dry tone.
Lauren felt like an outsider to this conversation, to the love and happiness the other couples at the table were obviously involved in.
“She introduced me to Donna,” Joel said, and Lauren smiled at the fondness in his voice, both for his wife and for Mabel. And Lauren knew that the shoes she had to fill at the Mansion were so much bigger than just running amazing events.
“So,” Mabel said. “I’ll start. I am grateful all of you chose to spend this holiday with me.” She looked at Lauren. “You’re next.”
Lauren looked around the table, these faces ones she’d like to spend more time with, really get to know. “I’m grateful to be in Hawthorne Harbor.”
As they continued around the table, a calm, peaceful feeling came over Lauren, especially when Trent said, “I’m grateful for a new deck and all the possibilities it brings to my back yard.” He grinned at her, and Lauren’s whole body flushed.
“That’s it?” Adam asked. “Your deck?”
“It’s going to complete the back yard,” Trent said easily. “Right, bud?” He glanced at Porter next to him. “It’s your turn. You gotta say something you’re happy you have.”
Porter took in a big breath and held it for a moment, the wheels in his head obviously turning. “The deck is awesome,” he said. “But I’m happy Lauren lets me help her build it.”
Gretchen and Janey zeroed in on her, but Lauren ignored the heavy weight of their gazes as she smiled at Porter. The activity finished, and Mabel said, “I’ll put on the coffee.”
* * *
The following morning, Lauren woke up in the dark, knowing she wouldn’t be home until well after dark too. She lay in bed for a few moments, reliving yesterday’s wonderful Thanksgiving dinner, the walk around the Mansion grounds as the sun went down, Trent’s hand in hers, and how deeply he kissed her before driving off with his son.
No doubt about it, Lauren was falling fast for him. A moment of fear rumbled through her, but it fled quickly. No, her parents wouldn’t approve, but Lauren knew Trent wasn’t anything like Rick. And as soon as they met him, they’d know too.
She rolled over on her side and picked up her phone from the bedside table. Her mother still hadn’t confirmed that they’d come for Christmas, and Lauren should probably tell Aunt Mabel if any of them were coming.
One family text, and one message to her mother, later, and Lauren got herself out of bed and into the shower. She had to be at the community center in an hour, and she’d be flitting from display to display until at least lunchtime, fixing last-minute and unexpected problems.
After she pulled her hair into a tight ponytail, she checked her phone. “Darrel, Eldon, and Byron are coming?” She read through the messages again, just to be sure.
We’ll be there, Darrel’s had said. I’m bri
nging Kimmy. Easy way to meet all the Magleby’s at once, right?
Thanks for the invite! Eldon had texted. I’m coming with Byron. Right, B? Leaving on Christmas Eve about noon. Can we crash with you Lauren?
Leaving on Christmas Eve at noon, Bryon had said.
You can stay with me, Lauren sent. It’ll be awesome to see you all!
Her mother had not answered, but she never had been much of a morning person. Lauren stuffed her feet into her work boots and left the house so she’d have time to stop at Duality for coffee.
By the time she pulled into the community center, the early-morning walkers had arrived. The wind felt like needles against her face as she hurried toward the doors, and the warm rush that hit her when she went inside made her sigh.
Gene waited for her just inside the doors, and she said, “Hey, sorry I’m late.”
“You’re not late.” They started walking toward the huge multi-purpose room where the Festival was set up. “Sabrina has been doing yoga at the crack of dawn, and I can’t sleep once her alarm goes off.” He yawned to punctuate the sentence and reached for the door handle ahead of Lauren.
She half-expected that they’d be the first two people in the showroom, but she should’ve known better. The room buzzed with activity, and Lauren almost turned and walked right back out.
“Okay,” she said with a much less happy sigh. “Let’s check in at the control room.” She walked down the eight hundred aisle toward the back of the room, letting her gaze slide down the long row of gingerbread houses just before going through the door marked PERSONNEL ONLY.
She wasn’t expecting to see Trent until later in the day, but a keen sense of disappointment still hit her when she found Jason Zimmerman and Paul Hollister standing near one of the monitors.
They both glanced at her and Gene when they came in, both lifted their hands in a general greeting, and both turned back to the monitor as a unit. It was like they were programmed to act exactly the same, and she wondered if Trent had trained them for today.
“I think I’m supposed to have a radio,” she said when she joined them.
“Oh, yeah,” Jason said, turning away from the screen. He handed her one and one to Gene. “Frequency three. There are ten volunteers on the floor already. They all have radios too, and we’ll all hear them when they call in. That way, if it’s you they need, you’ll know. And if it’s us, we’ll know.” He gave her a smile and she returned it.
“Thanks.” She’d sat down for two minutes before someone said, “I need electrical help on aisle six hundred, display six-seventy-two.”
“You’re up, Gene,” she said with a smile. “Kam will be here about two.”
Gene got up without complaint and left Lauren to sip her coffee in the much quieter control room. She thought about Trent, and if they might be able to have lunch together today. She’d take eating a hot dog with him while he walked the aisles if that was what it took to see him.
She got called out to the floor, and as the hour approached when the doors would open and the public would be let in, Lauren hoped for a few minutes of peace and quiet. She’d just reached the end of one of the aisles after fixing a simple structural problem when her phone buzzed.
She pulled it out of her pocket to see her mom had sent a text. We’ll be there, honey. A little heart emoticon sat behind that, and Lauren felt her chest expand.
“They’re coming.” A sense of awe filled the words, and Lauren knew what it took for her mom to come back to Hawthorne Harbor, especially among all the Magleby’s.
She sent off a quick text to Aunt Mabel so she’d know to expect six more Michaels family members, and then she typed out, Thanks, Mom. I appreciate it. I want you to meet Trent and his son, Porter.
Staring at her phone, waiting for her mother’s response, enabled her to see Trent’s text immediately when it came in.
Wilson’s working the line. Come see!
Lauren glanced up, the thought of being in the same building as Trent intoxicating. Oh, yeah, she definitely had it bad for him, and as she strode down the aisle, past a dozen Christmas trees, she hoped she hadn’t sacrificed the only part of herself she could never get back.
Her heart.
She went out the doors clearly marked EXIT and looked to her left. A long line of people stretched, standing as they waited for the doors to open.
She noticed movement, but it was on the other side of the line. As she got closer, she could see Trent walking back and forth, down and around the line. On his way back, she saw Wilson, tongue out, eyes sharp, working.
The doors opened, and a general breath was released as the people started shuffling forward and into the event area. Lauren stood out of Trent’s sight and watched him with his dog. The man clearly adored the canine, and a glow seemed to hover around him.
When half of the people had gone in, she walked over to him. “He’s doing great.”
When he saw her, his whole face brightened. “Look at him. I think he’s ready to go to a real working unit.”
Lauren smiled at him, his joy so obvious and so infectious. “You’ll miss him, though, right?”
“Totally,” Trent said, not even trying to deny it. “And another dog will have to step up and be the pack leader.”
“Who’ll do that?” she asked, walking with Trent as he moved with Wilson.
“Probably Brutus.”
Her radio crackled, and someone needed help with a sign that had started to fall in one of the booths. When Gene said, “I’m doing a repair on aisle five hundred,” Lauren rolled her eyes and lifted the radio to her mouth.
“I’m on my way,” she said and let go of the button. “Can we try to grab lunch later?”
“Sure, yeah.” Trent didn’t look away from his dog.
“Great. See you then.” Lauren walked away, desperate to show she wasn’t desperate for him to hold her close like he had the last few times they’d been together. After all, she’d already fallen so fast for him. Maybe a little distance would be a good thing, especially in public.
By lunchtime, her stomach was severely angry that she’d only given it coffee for breakfast, her back hurt from bending over to look under Christmas trees, and her patience for anyone who didn’t have food in their hand was at an all-time low.
“I’m going to get something to eat,” she said into her radio. “I’ll be unavailable for an hour.” She usually just grabbed something from one of the booths and ate it as she hurried from one thing to another, but today she was going to take a lunch—and not inside this building, where she’d been buried all day.
She took her pizza and soda outside, but the rain had started. Standing in the foyer between the outer doors and the inner doors, she ate her pepperoni and sausage pizza, watching the water sluice down the glass.
She could see her reflection in the watery glass, and she didn’t look all that pleased. She wondered what it would be like to have her old secretary job back. For one thing, she wouldn’t be working today, a tool belt around her waist and a piece of floppy pizza in her hand. She’d be shopping with friends and enjoying lunch at the bistro.
Then she’d go home and curl up in front of her fireplace and take a nap.
At least that was what she imagined her life would be like.
She turned away from her reflection, turning away from the thoughts too. She didn’t want that old life, with that old job, and no confidence. In fact, when she’d had that life, she stood in front of windows and dreamed of this life she currently had.
“So be grateful for it,” she muttered to herself. Good days came with the bad, she knew that. Her mother had always taught her that, and she’d had some good things happen today too—her family committing to come to the Mansion for Christmas, for one.
She didn’t see Trent standing near the ropes anymore, and she wondered where he’d gone. He hadn’t texted once all morning after she’d seen him working with Wilson, and he was probably too busy to sit down for a few minutes. She’d texted him twe
nty minutes ago, and he still hadn’t responded.
With her pizza gone, and only ten minutes of her hour-long lunch with it, she wandered away from the Festival of Trees, just for a little quiet time. Everything in the showroom was loud, and she simply needed a break.
She found a couch around the corner and collapsed onto it. Her eyes drifted closed, and she thought she might be able to fall asleep right there. Before she could doze, she pulled out her phone and silenced it. She set a timer for forty-five minutes and made sure the radio was also muted. Then she lay down on the couch and got comfortable.
She wasn’t sure how long she was asleep before she heard someone say her name. Her eyes jerked open to find Trent standing above her. “There you are,” he said, a hint of anger in his voice. “I’ve been trying to get a hold of you.”
Lauren scrambled to sit up, her heart pounding in her chest as her adrenaline spiked. She blinked, and Trent’s normally passive, handsome face morphed into Rick’s sharply angled face, his displeased eyes.
She blinked again, and everything changed back to Trent—except the eyes. “You shouldn’t silence your phone like that,” he said, sitting next to her on the couch.
“I wanted to sleep,” she said, maybe a bit defensively. With Rick, she’d learned not to argue, because he simply mocked her. She hated hearing how he thought she sounded, so she’d learned to say nothing.
“I thought we were going to have lunch together.”
“I texted you,” she said, still trying to throw off the dregs of unconsciousness. She yawned and instinctively leaned away from him, like he was a cobra about to strike.
“I was busy.”
“Well, I was busy now,” she said, this time with a definite bite in her voice. Did he think she had to jump to his attention whenever he managed to get a text off?
Their eyes met, and Lauren felt a new kind of fire burning through her. Anger.
She hadn’t felt angry in so long, and she almost wanted to feed the rage more fuel.
“I’m sorry I disturbed you,” he said, his eyes just as sparking hot as hers. With that, he got up and walked away, leaving her on the couch to try to figure out what had just happened—and why she felt like taking a nap had turned into a crime.
Hawthorne Harbor Box Set Page 73