in a while.
And that was as frequently as he went out. According to Jeannine and a few other well-meaning neighbors and church ladies that wasn’t nearly enough, but Seth wasn’t in the market for a relationship. One marriage was enough for a lifetime.
He pushed aside the thought and the memories that went with it, and turned back toward the inn. That’s when he saw her—sitting on a bench near the corner of the building, her shoulders slumped, her dark hair spilling forward to cover her face. Lola. Despite what she said, despite what she wanted, that’s how he thought of Lauren. The nickname was one he’d coined when he’d met her his sophomore year of high school. A transplant from New Orleans, Lauren had seemed lost and alone as she wandered through the cafeteria of their Savannah high school. When she’d glanced his way and offered a sweet smile, Seth’s adolescent heart had melted. Despite his determination to keep the past at bay, the memories washed over him, bittersweet in their simplicity.
“You new?”
“Yes. I’m Lauren Owens. From Louisiana.”
“Well, Lauren Owens from Louisiana, it looks like you could use a friend. I’m Seth Chartrand. Want to have lunch with me?”
“I was looking for my sister.”
“No problem, Lola, I’ll help you find her. We can all have lunch together.”
Even now, the memory made him smile. Friendship had blossomed that day. From there love had grown. Unfortunately, Seth hadn’t known enough about life to value it. He liked to tell himself he’d matured since then. Sometimes he almost believed it.
He moved toward her, grass and leaves crackling beneath his feet, the sweet scent of newly mown lawn heavy in the air. “You look like you could use a friend.”
She tensed, but didn’t turn toward him. “No. Just some fresh air.”
“I guess that makes two of us.” He kept his words casual, ignoring her not so subtle dismissal.
“You shouldn’t have followed me out here, Seth.”
“Who said I did?”
“Didn’t you?”
“I thought you might like an explanation.”
“As long as you have the money to pay for what you bought, no explanation is necessary.” She stood, moving a few steps away, her lean form taut with whatever she was feeling. Eleven years ago he would have known, would have been able to read the look in her eyes, the expression on her face. Now she was a puzzle he couldn’t quite solve.
“Maybe not, but I’m going to give you one anyway. My son has severe food allergies, Lauren. Making meals he can eat and enjoy is difficult. I thought learning from an expert in the field might make his life easier.”
She nodded, but there was no softening in her expression. “You’ll have to make me a list of what he’s allergic to. I’ll put together meal ideas based on that. Do you have an e-mail address where I can send the menu?”
“Sure.” He pulled out a business card and handed it to her. “I’ll call you tomorrow with the list of allergens.”
“It’ll be easier if you e-mail it to me.” She handed him her card, and Seth glanced down at her e-mail and business address. Savannah. She hadn’t moved far from home. At least in this she hadn’t surprised him. The Lauren he’d dated had always been content to be near home and family.
He, on the other hand, had been desperate for adventure and freedom.
“How does this work? Do I come to you? Or will you come to me?”
“Once the menu is agreed on, I’ll come to your house to prepare the food.”
“That’s a lot of miles on your car.”
“I’ll do the week’s worth of cooking in one visit.” She shrugged. “Even if I didn’t, it wouldn’t be a big deal. I’m staying with Dee for the next two weeks.”
“Vacation?”
“And favor. Steff asked me to take part in the auction. I agreed. Driving back and forth between Savannah and Magnolia Falls didn’t make sense. I figured I’d do the job, then take some time to relax.”
“Dee’s not in town, is she?” If she was, she must stay close to home. Seth had yet to run into her.
“No, but she’s close enough.” She smiled and it was the same sweet curve of her lips he’d noticed the first time he’d seen her.
“You haven’t changed, Lola.”
“The fact that you say that just proves how little you know about me.” She ran a hand over loose curls, avoiding eye contact. “I’d better head back in.”
He should let her go. She was right after all. He didn’t know her. But he did know that tonight had to be as uncomfortable for her as it was for him. Seeing each other after all these years, trying hard not to remember the way things had been, the way they had ended. If it was hard for him, it must be doubly difficult for Lauren.
Before she could walk away, he put his hand on her arm, feeling firm muscles beneath silky fabric. “I’m sorry if my winning your services is uncomfortable for you.”
“Tonight was about raising funds for Magnolia College. As long as I’ve helped do that, I’m not uncomfortable with the outcome.”
“You’re sure?”
“Of course. I think we’re both professional enough to keep the past where it belongs.”
“Professional enough? Sure. But that doesn’t change the facts.”
“What facts, Seth? That we dated years ago? That you broke up with me? That same story plays out a million times a year with a million couples. It’s not something we need to make an issue of.”
Maybe they didn’t, but it was an issue for Seth. Being near Lauren brought back memories he’d spent a long time trying to forget. Maybe tonight was about more than Jake and his food allergies. Maybe it was about making amends. Not that that was possible. He’d broken Lauren’s heart, laughed at her dreams, calling them boring and mundane. Just thinking about it was enough to make him cringe. “The past is still between us. Whether we make an issue of it or not.”
“Look, Seth—”
Seth’s cell phone rang, interrupting her words. He glanced at the number, his chest tightening with worry. Reese didn’t call unless there was a problem. “It’s my son’s babysitter. I’ve got to take this.”
Lauren moved a few steps away, but didn’t return to the inn. “Hello?”
“Seth, it’s Reese. Jacob’s having a reaction to something. He’s breathing okay, but I think you’d better come home.”
“Did he have anything to eat besides what I left for him?”
“Nothing.”
“Are
