Page 25 of Rescued In The Storm

"I couldn't sleep."

The soft click of heels on the hallway tile interrupts whatever my mother was about to say. Lauren Abbott appears in the doorway, a stack of folders in her arms, looking surprised to find anyone in the kitchen this late.

"Oh—sorry, I didn't realize anyone was still up." She hesitates, clearly unsure whether to enter or retreat.

"Don't mind us," my mother says, waving her in. "Connor's having a crisis of the heart, and I'm dispensing motherly wisdom. Nothing we can't pause for a moment."

"Mom," I groan, mortified.

Lauren's lips twitch with a suppressed smile. "I just needed to leave these budget reports for tomorrow's meeting. I was working late and figured I'd drop them off now rather than coming in early."

"At midnight?" I ask.

She shrugs, setting the folders on the counter. "Some of us deal with insomnia by working. Evidently others prefer brooding in dark kitchens."

Despite everything, I find myself almost smiling at her directness. It's easy to see why she and Liam once worked as a couple—and why they eventually didn't. Both too stubborn for their own good.

"Lauren's been a huge help with the quarterly finances," my mother says, conveniently ignoring my discomfort. "Already found three accounting discrepancies Liam's been missing for months."

"I'm sure he was thrilled about that," I mutter.

"Actually, he was quite professional about it," Lauren says, a hint of defensiveness in her tone. "Whatever else you might think of your brother, he cares about this lodge more than his pride."

An awkward silence follows, and Lauren shifts slightly. "Anyway, I should go. It's late."

"Nonsense," my mother says. "You've been working for hours. At least have some coffee before you drive home."

Before Lauren can protest, Mom is already pouring her a cup. I watch with amusement as my mother efficiently maneuvers another person into doing exactly what she wants. Some things never change.

"Just for a minute," Lauren concedes, accepting the mug.

"So," Mom says casually, once the three of us are settled at the kitchen island. "You kissed her."

I nearly drop my coffee, the mug clattering against the countertop. "What—who told you that?"

She smiles, that knowing maternal smile that used to make me and my brothers confess to all manner of childhood misdeeds. "Small town, Connor. And you just confirmed it."

Lauren's eyebrows shoot up, and she looks like she's wondering if she can politely escape whatever family drama she's just been dragged into.

I groan, setting my mug down before I actually spill it. "Who was it? Kathryn? Nolan?"

"Does it matter? The point is," she takes a deliberate sip, "you kissed Sarah Miller. And then, from what I gather, you promptly disappeared for two days."

Lauren winces slightly. "And on that note, I think I'll?—"

"Stay right where you are," my mother says firmly. "You're part of this lodge's family now, even if you and Liam couldn't make it work. Besides, Connor could use a female perspective that isn't his mother's."

Put like that, it sounds even worse than it felt. "I needed to think."

"Ah, thinking." My mother nods sagely. "Always a good excuse for avoiding feelings."

Lauren's expression shifts to something I can't quite read—recognition, maybe, or resignation. She stares into her coffee, suddenly very interested in its contents.

"I wasn't avoiding—" I stop, the lie too transparent even for me. "It's complicated."

"Is it?" Mom raises an eyebrow. "You have feelings for her. She clearly has feelings for you. You finally acted on those feelings. What's complicated about that?"

"Everything." I stand, too restless to remain seated. "Sarah and I have known each other forever. She's part of this town, part of my life here. If I mess this up?—"

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