Missing Persons. Shirlee McCoy

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 you certain?” He started toward his car, his stomach clenching with anxiety. Jake’s reactions ranged from mild to severe depending on the allergen.

      “If he had anything else, he’s not admitting it.”

      “I’ll be home in ten minutes.” He slid the phone into his pocket, started toward his car.

      “Is everything okay?” Lauren kept pace beside him, her words filled with worry.

      “I’m not sure. My son is having an allergic reaction to something. I’ve got to get home to make sure he’s okay and to convince him to be a little more honest about what he’s had to eat.”

      “Why don’t I come with you? Once you get things settled, we can go over the list of his allergens. That way I can get started on the menu right away.”

      Surprised, Seth paused with his hand on the car door, turning to face Lauren. “And get our business over with more quickly?”

      She shrugged, a thick dark curl sliding over her shoulder and resting at the V of her dress. “The sooner we do, the sooner I can get started on my vacation.”

      “I think maybe I should be insulted.”

      “It’s nothing personal.” And neither was their business agreement. She didn’t have to add the rest for Seth to hear it.

      “I get that.”

      “If you’d rather we take care of things by e-mail and phone, that’s fine.”

      “Now works. If you don’t think you’ll be missed.”

      “I’ll be missed, but I’ll give Dee a call on her cell phone to let her know what’s going on.”

      “Then let’s go.” He rounded the car, pulled open the passenger side door, inhaling a whiff of subtle perfume as Lauren slid in.

      Perfume. Understated elegance. Dark wild curls. Confidence. Not the Lauren he’d dated for five years.

      The changes should have made her a stranger. They didn’t. And as Seth started the engine and drove toward home, he couldn’t help thinking that having her in his car, having her beside him felt good. Even right.

      And that was something he shouldn’t be thinking at all.

      THREE

      Lauren needed to learn how to keep her mouth shut. That much was obvious. First, she’d offered to take part in Steff’s auction. Now, she’d invited herself to Seth’s house. What was it going to be next? Offering to cook an extra week of meals for free?

      Just the thought of spending more time with Seth and his son made her cringe.

      She needed to keep as much distance between herself and Seth as possible because, no matter how much she might want to claim otherwise, he still affected her. His smile could still make her pulse accelerate and her world tilt; looking into his eyes could still make her melt.

      Fortunately, her head knew enough to keep her heart in check. Seth had the same charming personality that had attracted her when she’d been a shy teenager, but she wasn’t a teenager anymore. She was a woman with a career, friends, a social life. Or as much of one as she wanted.

      “This is it.” Seth pulled into the driveway of a two-story farmhouse.

      This was where he lived?

      An old farmhouse?

      He pushed open the door, and Lauren stepped inside. She’d been expecting something modern and sleek, but the dimly lit foyer had turn-of-the-century charm—wide planked floors, crown molding, a chandelier that looked original to the house, an atmosphere that whispered “home.”

      Seth pulled the door shut and started up the steps, calling out as he went, the deep timbre of his voice tinged with worry. “Reese? Jake?”

      “We’re in Jake’s room.” The feminine voice had to belong to the babysitter. A college student? A relative?

      Lauren moved down the length of the foyer, her gaze lingering on the framed photos that hung on the wall. Most were family portraits. First Seth and a stunning blond dressed in wedding finery and smiling into each other’s eyes. Then Seth standing behind the woman, his hand on her shoulder, his gaze on the tiny infant she held. Two more family photos followed, the infant older in each, but still small and fragile looking. The next photos were of Seth and his son, the boy more robust and sturdy, his mother absent.

      “I probably need to get more interesting art for that wall.” Seth spoke as he descended the stairs, his voice different than it had been years ago. Deeper, rougher, but still with an edge of polish and charm Lauren knew most women would find hard