I pressed my hands to my cheeks. “Am I blushing?”

“A little.”

“We really are just friends. I’m not wallowing because of Cullen, but I don’t think I’m ready to jump into anything either.”

“Nothing wrong with that. So have you heard from the dipshit at all?”

I laughed softly. “No. Apparently he’s too busy wrecking someone else’s marriage.”

“I’m sorry that happened to you, but I’m so glad you didn’t marry him.”

“So am I.” I blew on my tea and took a sip. “Is it weird that I don’t want him back, but it still hurts?”

“No. Anyone would be hurt by what he did to you. I can’t even imagine what he was thinking. You’re a beautiful, intelligent, creative, wonderful woman. He’ll never do better than you.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“Any luck finding a new agent?”

“No, but I haven’t really tried. I will, but I think it would be better if I had a book ready to go before I start querying again.”

Mom opened her mouth to reply, but the front door opened and we both turned to look.

Dad came in, dressed in his TFD shirt and dark pants, and paused in the entrance to the kitchen.

Oh boy.

“Caroline.”

She smiled at him over the rim of her mug. “Norman.”

I held my breath while they eyed each other for a long moment. Sometimes my parents were civil to each other. Other times, not so much. They were so different—opposites, really—it was hard to imagine that they’d ever been a couple.

“I thought that was your car outside,” Dad said. “Hope you managed to keep under the speed limit in that thing.”

“I’ll drive like a grandma when I am one.” She pointed at me. “But not too soon.”

I laughed. “No danger of that.”

Dad leaned against the door frame and crossed his arms. “What brings you to Tilikum?”

“Our daughter, obviously.”

“Didn’t think I could cope on my own?” Dad asked.

“I’m not questioning your parenting abilities,” Mom said. “She’s been through a rough breakup. I want to make sure she’s all right. And before you say I could do that with a phone call, I realize that, but Skylar doesn’t like to talk on the phone.”

“Can’t blame her there,” Dad mumbled.

“The house looks like it’s holding up well,” Mom said, glancing around. “Although clearly it’s been a long time since a woman lived here.”

“Indeed it has.”

Was that a dig at my dad for still being single? It was hard to tell. As far as I knew, neither of them had been in a real relationship since their divorce. Mom had been on dates, but never progressed to anything serious—no one had ever earned an introduction to her daughter, at least. If my dad dated, he kept quiet about it. Although I was under the impression that he didn’t.

“Are you off for the night, or just making a pit stop before you head back to your firefighter slumber party?” Mom asked, her lips twitching in a smile.

“I’m off for the night. What about you? Taking a vacation day or two?”

“Not exactly.” She casually sipped her tea. “I’m temporarily without employment.”

“Are you serious?” I asked. “What happened?”

“It’s a long story.”

Dad cleared his throat. “We have time.”

“Well, after my surgery last year, I couldn’t go back to work right away. Apparently that was an unforgivable sin and I wasn’t exactly welcomed back with open arms.” She set down her mug and flashed her beautiful smile. “But you know me. I always land on my feet.”

Dad eyed her with suspicion. “And how long are you thinking you’ll be in town?”

“That’s the silver lining, isn’t it? I’m free to make my own schedule.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“I’m keeping it open-ended. I think our lovely daughter had the right idea about a change of scenery.”

I blinked at her, my mouth slightly open, not sure what to say. It would be nice to have her close by, but it had been two decades since my parents had lived in the same town. How was this going to work?

“Plus this way you have both of us here to support you.” She stood and looked over at Dad. “Would you mind helping me bring some of my things inside?”

He narrowed his eyes. “And why would we bring your things inside?”

“Because I’m staying here, of course,” she said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “Don’t start with me, Norman, you and I can sleep under the same roof for a little while. It’s not as if you don’t have the space, this house is huge.”

“Space isn’t a problem, but—”

“If it’s really an issue, I’ll find a rental. But I thought this would be good for Skylar.”

I met Dad’s eyes and shrugged. Mom had always been a bit of a windstorm. She knew how to whip through and shake things up, leaving you wondering what had just happened.

Dad sighed. “I do have room and you’re welcome to stay. But Caroline, what’s really going on here?”

“I told you, I lost my job. And what can I say, Skylar inspired me. I think a fresh start is what we both need.” Her phone chimed and she took it out of her purse. “What good timing. They’re here.”

“Who?” Dad asked.

“The movers,” Mom said cheerfully and swept out of the kitchen toward the front door, her pretty black stilettos clicking on the hardwood.

“Caroline,” Dad called and followed her out.

Uh-oh.

I went out front and there was indeed a moving truck parked on the street.

“You’re moving back to Tilikum?” Dad asked.

“Is that so shocking?”

“Yes, it actually is.”

She crossed her arms and took a resigned breath. “I was out of work for longer than anticipated and my benefits were crap. I blew through my savings. Then I went back to a cut in hours and pay, so I got behind on my house payment. The bank is foreclosing and I had to move out.”

“Well, shit,” Dad said.

“I don’t need a lecture on responsibility. I’ve been taking care of myself just fine. I’m just going through a challenging time.”

“I’m not going to lecture you.” With a sigh, he rested his hands on his hips and glanced at the house. “There are two empty bedrooms upstairs. Take your pick.”

She flashed him a smile. “Thank you, Norman.”

Mom was moving in? Oh dear god. I pulled out my phone. I was going to need some best friend backup for this.

Me: Just a heads up, but my life just got slightly more complicated.

Ginny: Uh-oh. What happened now?

Me: My mom rolled into town. With a moving truck.

Ginny: No way. What?

Me: Yeah. She lost her job and had to move.

Ginny: And she’s moving where? To Tilikum?

Me: Not just Tilikum. She’s moving in HERE.

Ginny: Here as in your dad’s house?

Me: Yes. Here as in my dad’s house.