Page 82 of Sanctuary

“Don’t mind Karen; she’s always been a hugger.” Her dad came around the car and offered Gabe a more traditional greeting, which she looked far more comfortable with. “Lori tells us that you’re a highly decorated soldier, Gabe. I won’t bust your eardrums with the usual meaningless platitudes. We’re people of action; we’re currently negotiating a state-wide pilot to tackle food poverty among veterans. We figure that’s more help than an empty thank you, however heartfelt.”

Lori had watched Gabe’s expression turn from wariness as her dad began to speak to a look that said she was even more astonished than she had been at Lori’s mom’s hug. Lori’s parents had a long history of making her proud to be their daughter.

“That’s exactly what we need, Mr. Turner. Thank you for recognizing that.”

“Wow, Dad.” Lori wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him tight. “I didn’t know that you’d finally gotten that project off the ground.”

Her mother grumbled. “Off the ground? It’s nearly put him in the ground. That’s why I made him come with me. He needs a break.”

“Hey now, you never have to force me to come see my beautiful, accomplished daughter.” He rolled his eyes. “But she is right, as usual. A little time away from the fray is exactly what the doctor ordered.”

Panic flared in Lori’s chest. “The doctor? Why are you seeing a doctor?”

“Oh, honey.” Her dad cupped her face and kissed her forehead. “It was a figure of speech. I’m fitter than I’ve ever been. Your mom has me on a new diet.”

“It’s not a diet. It’s a healthy eating plan. You’re not dieting.” Her mom looked at Gabe. “He doesn’t need to diet, does he?”

“No, ma’am, he does not,” Gabe said.

“Goodness, my mother is a ma’am. Please call me Karen.”

“And I’m Hank, not Mr. Turner.”

“Okay, Hank and Karen, can I help you with your luggage?”

Her dad widened his eyes. “God, yes. Karen’s brought her whole wardrobe with her.”

“We’ll leave you to it,” her mom said and took Lori’s arm. “I have a thirst for your homemade lemonade.”

Lori looked back over her shoulder as her mom pulled her away. She didn’t expect Gabe to be their valet, but Gabe waved her away.

“It’s okay,” Gabe said. “We’ve got this.”

“Thank you,” Lori said, once again marveling at Gabe’s generous spirit and easygoing nature. Could she be any more perfect? I’m going to find out on Saturday night. She couldn’t help but give Gabe a wicked grin, but she looked away before she could see Gabe’s response. It was one thing to flirt shamelessly fueled by alcohol but quite another to do it stone-cold sober.

When she and her mom were inside, Lori closed the door and took hold of her mom’s hands. “What do you think? Do you like her?”

Her mom twirled a strand of Lori’s hair between her fingertips and smiled. “You like her. It shouldn’t matter what I think.”

Lori’s heart made a resounding thud as it metaphorically dropped to the wooden floor. “You don’t like her? Why don’t you like her?”

Her mom pressed her lips together and shook her head. “I didn’t say that at all. I do like her. She seems lovely, so far. I’ve known her for nearly two whole minutes.”

“You don’t want to jump to conclusions because you were so wrong about the lawyer, do you?”

Her mom turned up her nose and muttered something Lori wouldn’t repeat.

“I might be a little cautious after that, yes.” She pulled Lori toward the kitchen. “Come on, I’m parched.”

Lori went without complaint and didn’t push any further. Gabe would prove herself to Lori’s mom easily, especially when she saw how great the rust bucket was looking, and how she was with Max, and just…just how she was period. She’d only just gotten the jug of lemonade from the fridge when Gabe and her dad came in with her parents’ baggage of two suitcases, a carry-on bag, a duffel bag, and a suit bag.

“I only travel light when it’s absolutely necessary,” her mom called after Gabe as she followed Lori’s dad upstairs as if pre-empting any comment.

Lori poured four glasses, all with ice except for Gabe’s, who she’d noticed never seem to have it. When they came back down, Gabe’s lips twitched into a crooked smile as she clearly registered the lack of ice in her drink.

“Thank you,” Gabe said and emptied the glass in one quick burst. She nodded toward the door. “I should go see Max. He’s gotten pretty good at telling the time.”

“I’ll come with you.” Lori placed her glass on the kitchen counter. “I won’t be long.”

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