Snowbound - Harlequin.com

JANICE KAY JOHNSON 251
about her being able to keep the lodge running?” his
mother asked.
“No,” John was able to say truthfully. “Pity the guests.
She’ll dig their life stories out of them, and they’ll find
themselves on the front page when she gets back.”
Connie Fallon laughed. “Probably. Oh, I’m so glad
to see you! You look wonderful, John.”
His fingers wanted to go to his scar. How had it gotten
to be a habit, touching it every time he thought about it?
And why hadn’t he noticed he was doing it? This time,
he resisted by curling his hand at his side. “Thanks.”
“In hopes you’d come today, I put a pot roast on. And
of course I baked an apple pie. I wanted dinner to be
your favorites.”
Hell. It wouldn’t have killed him to get down here a
couple of times this past year. No matter what, he would
do better, John vowed.
Forcing a smile, he said, “Thanks, Mom. That
sounds great. Uh…where’s Dad?”
“Work.” She made a face. “Always work. The Hendersons
had a burst pipe and their bathroom flooded. He
should be done soon. I’ll call to let him know you’re here.”
“No, don’t do that. It’s good to have time with
just you.”
She teared up again. “Daddy’ll be home by five.”
How long since she’d called his father that for his
benefit? How long since she’d thought of him as John’s
daddy? Damn, he thought again; he’d hurt her far worse
than he’d had any idea.
They had coffee in the kitchen, looking out at the
backyard with her carefully pruned roses and the brick