Page 54 of Whisper of Temptation (Whisper Lake 4)

“We’re all fine, Mom.”

“Good.” Whenever Matt or Shelby thought Sara was being overprotective, they called her Mom. She knew they meant it as an insult, but Sara actually liked it. When she heard it, she felt like she was doing her job.

Shelby shook her head back and forth slowly. “I still can’t believe you sold the house.”

“I know.”

“How did Jack take it?”

“Fine. I think he was a little surprised, but when he and Valentina picked up the kids, he said he was happy I’d be closer to family.”

“Wait.” Shelby’s eyes lit up. “So does that mean you got to meet stair mom? I got so distracted when I saw your post-coital glow that I forgot to ask.”

Sara ignored her sister’s assumption, which just so happened to be correct. “Yep, I met her. The kids seemed to like her. They were a little shy, but Charlotte had just woken up. When I talked to them this morning, though, Charlotte was sitting on her lap while Valentina did her hair, so I think she’s warmed up to her. She seems nice.”

“That’s it. She’s nice? Come on, I want dirt.”

“There’s no dirt. She is nice.” And tall, and skinny, and gorgeous.

Last night, those things had made Sara feel a little self-conscious, but after spending the night with Austin, her self-esteem was at an all-time high. The way he looked at her, touched her, kissed her, made love to her made her feel like the sexiest woman in the world.

“Well, I guess that’s better than the alternative. I mean, I respect this Mary J. Blige no-more-drama thing you’ve got going on. But, I have to admit, I was kind of looking forward to bashing her. At least a little bit.” Shelby held up her finger and thumb to demonstrate the amount.

Once again, Sara had to laugh. Leave it to her sister to be disappointed over the fact that Jack’s fiancée was nice. “Sorry to disappoint you.”

“That’s okay. You can make it up to me soon enough, since you’re moving here,” Shelby squealed. “I’m so excited. I already talked to Lauren and told her what you were looking for, and she said she’ll have several houses to show you when you get here.”

“Oh, good.” Sara waited to feel the rush of adrenaline she’d experienced every time she’d thought about the move.

Not only was Lauren the premier realtor in Hope Falls, she also co-hosted a TV show called Home Sweet Vacation Home with her husband, Ben, which Sara had seen every episode of. She was a huge fan. Sara’d met Lauren several times when she’d gone to visit her brother and sister. Originally, when Shelby had brought up the idea of Lauren helping her find a home, Sara had been excited. Ready to start the new chapter in her life and ecstatic over the fact Lauren would be a part of it.

It surprised her that when Shelby brought it up now, Sara’s reaction was less enthusiastic. In fact, she wasn’t looking forward to it at all. Maybe it was just the drive she was dreading. Dealing with the kids in the car by herself sounded only slightly better than the time she broke both of her arms when she’d fallen off the roof trying to put the Christmas lights up the first year she’d owned her home.

Or maybe the problem was she’d gotten too used to Austin helping her. Over the past few days, she’d started leaning on him. It was a whole heck of a lot easier navigating the world with another adult at your side. When she took the kids out with Austin, she was no longer out numbered. Unfortunately, he was just a temporary crutch. In a few days, Sara would be back to standing on her own.

“Good? That’s all? Just good?” Shelby’s forehead creased.

“Yeah, it’s good.” Sara did not feel like discussing her lack of enthusiasm with her well-meaning but nosy sister. “Shelbs, I gotta go. I’ll call you later.”

A smile spread on her sister’s face. “All right. Enjoy your Marvin Gaye time.”

“Ha ha, brat. I’m going to breakfast and then a volleyball game.”

“You’re playing volleyball?”

Sara understood her sister’s shock. She was not the most athletic person in the world. “No. I’m watching volleyball.”

“Ah, that makes more sense. Is Stranger Danger guy playing?”

It was obvious Shelby was never going to let that not-so-creative nickname go.

“Yes, Austin is playing.”

“He’ll be playing, playing with the boys.” Her sister quoted the song from the iconic volleyball scene in one of their favorite movies Top Gun.

Sara laughed, but she had to admit her sister’s cinematic reference was pretty spot on. The boys here in Whisper Lake could give the Top Gun guys a run for their money any day.

There was a knock at the door, and Sara’s heart skipped a beat.

“I really gotta go. I’ll call you later. I love you.”

As she disconnected the call she thought about the fact that this time next week, her time in Whisper Lake would be over. She’d be arriving in Hope Falls. Lauren would be showing her homes, and she’d be on her way to starting her new life.

That should make her happy…but it didn’t.

Knowing that Austin was on the other side of the door…did.

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