Rocky Mountain Holiday (To Love Again Book 4) by Kate Fargo Read Free Book Online

there with some kids from school and things got a little out of hand.”
    “Okay, but I thought you were driving down with Barbie and her brother.”
    The girls looked at each other again and Shelly shifted a little in the booth.
    “We weren’t completely honest about that,” offered Shelly.
    “Meaning what?”
    “The original plan was to drive down together, but at the last minute, Barbie’s brother got sick and then her parents wouldn’t let her go without him.”
    “So they weren’t even with you?” Isabel shook her head.
    “Barbie said she was fine with it,” Karin said, looking quickly over at Shelly. “Anyway, she kind of had a date last night and was happy to stay in town.”
    “And her parents knew you were going?”
    “Yes, but…”
    “But what?” Isabel strained to keep her irritation from creeping into her voice.
    “They thought we were driving down with Beth, Barbie’s older cousin,” Shelly said.
    “And instead you drove down with the guys I met at the room last night?”
    “We’re so sorry, Mom.” Shelly’s voice dropped to a whisper and her lower lip quivered. Another minute of this and she’d be crying again. “We knew those guys from school - or thought we knew them. When they ended up so drunk, we didn’t want to stay with them.”
    “We thought of getting another room, Mom,” continued Karin, “but there was nothing left available at the hotel. They were completely booked up.”
    The waitress plunked down three breakfast plates, laden with bacon, sausage, ham, three eggs, and toast. “Be right back to top up the coffees,” she said, spinning on her heel.
    Isabel grabbed her fork, tucking into the eggs. She surveyed her daughters on the other side of the booth, doing the same. Even though she was annoyed they’d lied, she was extremely grateful they’d called her. She remembered what it was like to be their age, it actually didn’t seem that long ago. Wanting so badly to be part of things, to experience it all. Calling her probably hadn’t been their first choice.
    “Look, girls,” she started, in between mouthfuls. Little sleep and the drama of last night had made her pretty damn hungry and greasy-spoon breakfasts never seemed to lose their appeal. “I realize it was probably hard to call me last night, but you made the right decision.”
    Karin’s fork stopped mid-air and Shelly almost choked on her toast. Relief swept over their faces.
    “Not so soon,” said Isabel, shaking her head slightly. “You made the right choice, but you shouldn’t have been there to begin with. At least, not on your own. And you should have given me the true story.”
    “We didn’t know until later…” started Karin.
    “Come on, Karin,” Isabel included Shelly in her look, “you girls could have sent me a text or called anytime along the way to tell me your plans had changed.”
    “Yes, Mom,” they chorused in unison, heads bowed and intent on their eggs.
    “Also, I think you owe Barbie’s mom an apology. You lied to her, too. I doubt she would have let you go with those guys. I’m sure Jean is going to feel somewhat responsible for this.” Both Shelly and Karin looked up, surprised. “I would feel responsible if the same thing happened to Barbie while she was staying in my house,” explained Isabel.
    “We didn’t think of that,” said Shelly. “We will, Mom. We’ll tell her we’re sorry. Do you think we can still stay there for the rest of the vacation?”
    Isabel hadn’t considered that. She had a lot of work to do and she didn’t think she could get them a room in her hotel. Not to mention Tray and the crazy things she was hoping to do to him or to have him do to her.
    “After breakfast, I’ll go with you and we’ll explain it to Jean. Does Barbie know?”
    “Yes, but she was still sleeping when we left. I’m sure she hasn’t said anything to her mom,” Karin said.
    Feeling a hand resting lightly on her shoulder, Isabel turned to see Tray towering over