Page 92 of Sanctuary

“I didn’t need to know that.” What her parents got up to in the privacy of their own house was something Lori really didn’t want to ever think about. “Were you never worried that he’d get bored and cheat on you because of the way you started out?”

“No. We both knew what we’d found, and there was no way either of us were ever going to risk letting it go,” her mom said. “And besides, you don’t go out for a hamburger when you’ve got steak at home.”

Lori sighed. She’d been briefly distracted by her mom’s story but now remembered why she was hearing it at all. “So you’re telling me that I shouldn’t be mad at Gabe for whatever she’s gotten up to with the sergeant major’s wife? For being involved in a cheating scenario.”

“I’ve never told you how to feel, sweetheart, and I’m not going to start now. But you owe it to yourself to give her the chance to explain. You have no idea how long ago it was or what the circumstances were. What she’s done in the past doesn’t necessarily define what she’ll do in the future. Look at how you railed against helping the elephants in Koh Samui. We were beginning to think that you wouldn’t become part of the family business, and that you’d end up in some corporate, money-grabbing, greed-fest for a job. Now look at you, running this place all by yourself.”

She gave a half-smile. “But that’s not the same thing, is it?”

“It shows how people can change. Your father changed when he met me. Pieces slotted into place, and everything made sense in the world.”

Lori’s phone pinged with a message, and she glanced at it on the coffee table where it peeked out of her clutch.

“Don’t you want to check if that’s Gabe?”

She shook her head. “It’ll probably be Rosie.”

“Is that who you want it to be?”

“I’m not sure what I want at the moment, Mom. This isn’t just about the cheating, it’s about Gabe not telling me about it. She knew what I’d been through, but she still didn’t tell me that she’d done the exact same thing to someone else.” Lori reached for her phone then thought better of it.

“Perhaps she kept it to herself because she knew how you’d react and didn’t want to hurt you,” her mom said. “Until you know all the facts, I don’t see how you can make an informed opinion or decision. As far as Gabe knew, you were just supposed to be friends; you’re the one who changed the parameters of your relationship without talking to her about it. Maybe if you’d talked to her about it instead of hatching your little hotel plan, she might’ve told you all about her past indiscretion.”

I have to tell you something. She’d been the one to stop Gabe from saying anything. But that could’ve been something else completely unrelated to a potential confession. She grabbed her phone and checked her messages. Sure enough, there was one from Rosie, and her view of the situation was predictably angry on Lori’s behalf and best friend-like in its solidarity. She’d known she wouldn’t get the same response from her mom, which was why she’d sent Rosie home… She needed her mom’s level head and relative objectivity.

If and when u’re ready, can we talk so I can tell u everything?

“Well? What does Gabe have to say?”

“She wants to talk.” Lori placed her cell face down on the couch.

“Tomorrow’s Sunday,” her mom said. “She’ll be coming to see Max, won’t she? Or are you going to tell her that she can’t?”

“Of course not.” But the thought of seeing Gabe tomorrow turned her heart inside out. She thought she’d been doing the right thing by getting to know Gabe and making sure she was safe before she let her heart enter the equation. None of it had worked. Beating beneath her ribs, it was already a traitor. It already belonged to Gabe. “Beth is covering my work tomorrow…” Because I was supposed to be up all night having mind-bending sex with Gabe. “So Gabe can still see Max. I don’t have to be around.” Lori had promised that they could talk about Max’s possible adoption, but there was no way she could face that right now.

“You’re going to avoid her?”

“Clearly you don’t think that’s a good plan,” Lori said, “but it’s the only one I have right now. I felt like I was almost healed after the lawyer, but this has knocked me on my ass, Mom. I’ve got a therapy session on Monday. I’ll talk to Rae and try to straighten everything out in my head.”

“Okay, sweetheart.” Her mom shifted so that she could pull Lori into a hug. “Would you like me to stay? I can cancel tomorrow’s flight.”

Lori relaxed into her mom’s arms and rested her head on her mom’s shoulder. “No, I don’t need you to do that. You’ll be back next week for the auction anyway. And Dad needs to get back to his new project. I haven’t seen him this excited about something since the time he got back from that orca rescue.”

“I don’t mind.” Her mom kissed the top of Lori’s head. “I’ll take any excuse to be with my baby. You’ll always be more important than any project we’ve got going on. You do know that, don’t you?”

Lori smiled. Her mom’s love seemed to be easing the headache that had formed after all her crying. “I do, Mom. I’ve always known that. I’ll be okay. I just need some time.”

“Good, but you can’t ignore her forever. At the very least, you’re bound by the restoration project until the auction.”

“I know.” We’re bound by a lot more than that. I’m just not sure I want to be.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Gabe filled another helium balloon, and this one expanded into the shape of a wrench. She should’ve appreciated its novelty, but her mind was too occupied with thoughts of Lori to be here, where it should be. She plugged the end of the balloon and wandered over to the reception area to tie it around the scaffolding desk RB had made by hand. It was another thing she should be appreciating. RB had been excited to show it to her, but Gabe couldn’t quite muster the enthusiasm needed.

“Still no response to your text?” Shay asked as she climbed down from hanging the Opening Day banner.

Gabe shook her head. “I haven’t heard from her all weekend. I want to send more. I want to call her. But I’m not being that stalky asshole.”

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