“My kids are missing school, but at least they’re finally getting what they deserve.”

I give her a tight smile and leave the room as quickly as I entered.

As soon as we’re out of earshot, Gabi asks, “What is her problem? She’s always been such a bitch.”

“I have no idea. But I’m not going to let her ruin my day.” Karma’s attitude is definitely what Magnus would consider a stormy cloud.

Gabi leaves me at the entrance to the women’s lounge, and I open the door to the locker room and run smack into a blonde. I bounce back.

“I’m sorry—”

“Oh. You.”

Her tone and the look on her face give me the clues I need to figure out exactly who she is.

Maren Higgins.

Twenty-Three

Lincoln

Ever since I left the resort this afternoon, I’ve been trying to find time to listen to Ricky Rango’s songs, but the universe seems to be conspiring against me.

First, one of our logging crews had an accident, and I spent a few hours in the hospital making sure the guy who got hit by a snapped cable wasn’t going to lose his hand. Thankfully, we have great doctors and surgeons on staff, and they all said he’d make a full recovery after surgery.

I hurried back to the office, just in time for legal to let me know that one of our customers has filed suit on a supply contract dispute.

And then, through it all, my mother left message after message.

When I finally have five minutes to myself, I return her call. It’s either that or risk having her show up at my door, and that’s the last thing I want to deal with.

“What did you tell them?” she says in lieu of a greeting, her tone sharp.

I know exactly what she’s talking about, but playing dumb is obviously the best choice. “You’re going to have to be more specific, Mother. Who did I tell what?”

“The household staff is acting strangely, my mobile phone has disappeared, and the internet is out. Your sister won’t answer my calls, and your brother told me to ask you for an explanation.”

Part of me is actually shocked that Harrison didn’t take the opportunity to fill my mother in on every little detail. But then again, he’s always been a coward, and he’s probably afraid she’ll kill the messenger. No doubt that’s why he sent her to me. There’s nothing my brother would love more than to give my mother another reason to despise me.

Unfortunately for Harrison, he’s not going to get his way this time, because I’m going to kick the can down the road exactly the same way he did. Commodore is the one who’s been withholding this information from us all for months, and he’s going to be the one to break the news to my mother.

“Has Commodore been over?”

“Of course not,” she snaps out. “You know that old man avoids coming here at all costs.”