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he could respond but she heard him laughing as she ran upstairs to her room.
    ***
    It was lunchtime when Mikayla came into the office with a picnic lunch for her husband and daughter. Both of whom were sprawled out on the floor surrounded by mounds of mail assorted into different bins according to priority. Classic rock played in the background and Lilah was bobbing her head to the music as she read the letter she held in her hands.
    “Lunch is ready, darlin’s!”
    Both jumped, startled by her sudden appearance.
    “Momma you scared the life out of me!”
    “C’mere you,” Noah reached for his wife and effectively pulled her down on the floor with him and kissed her.
    “Ew, you two get a room. I’m trying to work here.” Lilah sounded grossed out, but she honestly loved seeing such an unending love between her parents.
    “It smells really good. What did you bring us, beautiful wife of mine? I’m starving to death.”
    “Fried chicken, potato salad, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers and chocolate cupcakes,” she replied with a smile.
    “Oh yum, cupcakes! You’re the best, Momma.” Lilah kissed her cheek and started digging through the basket.
    “Hey now, we should go outside , and enjoy the sunshine. We’re supposed to have rain all week, and you know it’s going to bring with it the swampy Georgia heat too. Besides, y’all have been cooped up in here all morning. Now come on, I have a blanket in the van we can spread out on the back lawn.”
    It was a beautiful day out. Lilah was grateful for the fresh air and the company of two of her favorite people. The conversation was easy while they ate, and Lilah mainly talked about work and some of the letters her and her father had read that day. But as soon as they’d eaten their fill and repacked the picnic basket, her parents started questioning her about her behavior.
    “Honey, we’ve been worried about you,” her mother reached out and took her hand in her own. “You’ve been so distant lately and working so hard. I can’t help but think something is wrong.”
    Lilah turned away, refusing to look at her parents when she replied as if nothing was wrong at all. “Oh, Momma you worry too much. There’s just a lot going on and with Angel and Dakota on their honeymoon I’m short a worker. I told Daddy this morning I’m going to see about hiring a few people to help with the work load instead of Chels and I working twelve hour shifts.”
    “I notice you didn’t say, ‘I’m fine’ or anything like that.” Her momma knew her way too well. It was disconcerting.
    “Momma, I’m fine. I promise. Stop worrying so much.”
    “We can’t help but worry about you, sweetheart. I think hiring some people is a step in the right direction. You need time for yourself too. We can’t have you working so hard you end up sick.”
    “Okay, well here’s an idea…you can help Daddy and I finish up that pile we have on the floor and then we’ll get out of here earlier. We can make Sunday dinner together, how’s that?” Lilah was trying so hard to be upbeat and put on her happy face so her parents would stop worrying about the change in her attitude this week. It seemed to be working because her momma broke out into a huge smile.
    “I think that’s th e best thing I’ve heard all day. Let’s get to work. We’re having your grandparents over for dinner so I’d appreciate the help to make it extra special.”
    The rest of the day and evening passed with no other questions or comments about her recent change in mood. For that, Lilah was thankful. She tried not to think of Jake and Roxy , or the constant ache she felt from missing them. But all too often she found her mind drifting to Mr. Tall Blond and Brooding and wishing she was back in the cabin with him when they were kissing on the porch swing like star-crossed lovers.

Chapter 11
    Jake was miserable and moody. Nothing appeased him and everyone was getting on his last damn nerve. It was bad enough it was a rainy