“Last night. You didn’t acknowledge what we both know you’re trying to avoid. You let Mom make a fool of herself, and I think you’d at least be a little bit remorseful about that.”

“I suppose I deserve that,” he said. “I didn’t want to discuss this man last night, and frankly, it isn’t something I want to talk about now. Lauren, you do what you must, and that’s all I’ll say. Now, if you’ll grab me that carton of milk, I’m going to fix myself a bowl of cereal.”

Stunned, it took her a minute to absorb what he had said. “As you said, you’re ‘perfectly capable of making your own bowl of cereal.’ I won’t stand in your way,” Lauren stated before sailing out of the kitchen and heading upstairs. She didn’t ever recall a time, at least since she’d returned to Fallen Springs as an adult, when she’d had any major disagreement with her parents. Or at least one that was so divisive, pitting her against them. Or her against her father. Both of them would have to learn to live with the decisions she made for herself. And if they didn’t climb out of the past, they were going to lose a lot more than an argument with her. They’d lose a family legacy when Razzle Dazzle Décor fell headlong into bankruptcy. Even though she would do whatever she had to in order to prevent that from happening.

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Lauren was glad she’d caught Maggie on her way out. She’d been so irked earlier this morning, she had forgotten to call her to tell her she wouldn’t have to work at the shop today. She was thankful that she had remembered as soon as she’d unlocked the back door. With her flight canceled, there was no reason for Lauren to stay at home while someone else worked. Now that she could set up a Wi-Fi connection to use at the store, she could just as easily do her research between customers. If they were lucky enough to have any.

In her office, settled in, Lauren had read through dozens of articles on John Giampalo when her stomach reminded her of the time.