“I 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?”
“I met some very nice people.”
“Other tourists?”
Audra stood and left the bedroom. “No, townspeople. Trinity Falls is celebrating its sesquicentennial.”
“Oh, 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.”
“Oh, that’s too bad. They’re going to have it right after you leave.”
“I was thinking of staying for it.”
“But, Audra, you said your deadline is August fourth. You’re already going to be gone so long.”
“It’s just a few more days, Mom.” Audra settled onto the sofa. “I’d better get back to work.”
“Oh, all right. But give Wendell a call.”
“Mom . . .”
“He’s sorry, Audra.”
“I don’t care. ‘Fool me once, shame on you.’ He won’t have a chance to fool me a second time.”
“Don’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.
“May I help you?” Disappointment sat like a brick in her gut.
He was a handsome stranger. His smooth sienna skin was taut over a broad forehead, high cheekbones, long nose, and stubborn jaw. His lips were sensuously full and curved in a teasing smile.
“Have you forgotten me after just one day?” a familiar, bluesy baritone asked.
Audra’s jaw dropped. “Jack?”
Jack smoothed his right hand over his cheek. His beautiful onyx eyes twinkled at her. “Do I look that different?”
Audra raised both brows. “I had no clue what you looked like under all that hair.”