Page 24 of The Sweet Chef and the Corporate Queen

Before he can respond, I turn and walk briskly toward the lodge, not looking back. My heart pounds erratically, my lips still tingling from his kiss. But with each step, I rebuild the walls that momentarily crumbled on that bridge.

By the time I reach the lodge entrance, I've almost convinced myself I made the right decision. Almost.

I pass through the lobby without acknowledging the friendly wave from Jameson at the front desk, taking the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator, needing the physical exertion to clear my head.

In the privacy of my suite, I lean against the closed door, finally allowing myself to exhale the breath I've been holding since I pulled away from Declan.

What was I thinking? Kissing a man I've known for less than a week? Allowing myself to be charmed by his easy manner and obvious affection for Mia? Opening up about Vermont, about my insecurities as a mother?

I cross to the bathroom and stare at my reflection in the mirror. My hair is still damp from the rain, my cheeks flushed, my eyes too bright.

The last time I felt this way, I ended up a single mother with a fledgling business, scrambling to prove I could manage both. The last time I trusted someone with my heart, they left when things got difficult, when my success outpaced theirs.

I can't do that again. Won't do that to Mia.

A knock at the door makes me jump. For a heart-stopping moment, I think it might be Declan, but then Mia's voice calls out, "Mom? Are you in there?"

I quickly splash water on my face and compose myself before opening the door.

"Hi, sweetheart," I say, forcing brightness into my tone. "I was changing out of my wet clothes."

Mia barrels into me for a hug, Evie Callahan standing in the hallway behind her with a warm smile.

"You got caught in the storm!" Mia exclaims. "Evie said you were in a special wildlife house with Declan! Did you see any animals? Did you get super wet? Was there lightning?"

"Slow down," I laugh, genuinely this time. "Yes, we took shelter in the wildlife blind during the storm. No animals, yes very wet, and yes, some lightning, but we were safe."

Mia pulls back, studying me with unexpected intensity. "You look different."

My heart skips. "Different how?"

She shrugs. "I don't know. Just different." Then, with the mercurial attention span of a seven-year-old, she's on to the next topic. "I made you something in pottery class! It's still being fired in the kiln, but I can show you tomorrow!"

"I can't wait to see it," I say honestly.

Evie steps forward. "I hope you don't mind me bringing her up. She was getting worried when all the other teams returned but you hadn't shown up yet."

"Of course not. Thank you for watching her." I'm careful to maintain eye contact with Evie, terrified that she'll somehow see what transpired between her son and me written on my face.

If she notices anything amiss, she doesn't show it. "It was my pleasure. Both of you are welcome to join us for dinner in the main dining room whenever you're ready. Most of your team is already there."

"We'll be down shortly," I assure her.

After Evie leaves, Mia flops dramatically onto the bed. "Did you win the challenge?"

"Not exactly," I say, rummaging through my suitcase for fresh clothes. "We took a wrong turn."

"You got lost?" She sounds delighted by the idea. "But you never get lost!"

"Well, I did today." I pull out a simple blouse and pants, business casual rather than the jeans and sweater I'd normally wear for dinner. Armor, of a sort.

"Was it scary in the storm?"

I pause, considering the question. "No," I answer truthfully. "We were safe in the blind. Declan was..." I swallow, pushing away the memory of his kiss. "He was prepared. Had a radio, tea, everything we needed."

"He's really smart," Mia says with admiration. "He taught me how to test if bread dough is ready by poking it! And he knows the names of all the birds that come to the bird feeders."

"He seems very knowledgeable," I say neutrally, retreating to the bathroom to change.

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