Because of Lauren: A Love Story Read online

  Table of Contents

  LAUREN INT 9_15_2018

  DEDICATION

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

  CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

  CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

  CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

  CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

  CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

  EPILOGUE

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Because of Lauren

  A Love Story

  Vivi Underwood

  © Copyright 2018 Vivi Underwood

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without specific written permission from the publisher. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Vivi Underwood has asserted her rights under the Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the author of this work.

  BookWise Publishing, Riverton, Utah

  Bookwisepublishing.com

  Cover illustration: Bonnie Oswald

  Cover & interior design: Karen K Christoffersen

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2018948481

  Vivi Underwood

  Because of Lauren /Vivi Underwood

  ISBN 978-1-60645-223-3 Paperback $14.99

  ISBN 978-1-60645-224-0 EBook $7.99

  10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  Printed in the USA

  9152018 version

  Dedication

  For Gary

  Prologue

  Norway, the late 1940s

  The small girl sat in the curve of the broad staircase, eyes filled with wonder as elegant ladies in beautiful gowns and handsome, distinguished men in evening wear entered the large hall below.

  The hall was usually just a place she skipped through on her way to the living room, but when Mamma and Pappa entertained, the immense room with its marble floor and priceless antique furniture became a magical ballroom.

  Mamma always hired extra help when she gave a party. She wanted everything—from the sumptuous dinner to the music and dancing—to be perfect for her guests.

  Tonight, the small girl had been allowed to sit quietly and watch while Mamma finished nursing the baby upstairs, and Pappa mingled with his guests downstairs.

  A tall gentleman spotted her and walked toward her. She recognized him. He was one of Pappa’s friends.

  “Hello, sweetheart,” he said with a smile. “Would you like to join the party for a little while?”

  Her strawberry blonde curls bobbed up and down while her brilliant blue eyes shone with excitement. Then the smile faded, “But I am only wearing a robe and slippers,” she said, looking crestfallen.

  He noted her frilly robe and dainty slippers. “I think you look just right,” he assured her and climbing a few steps, picked her up and carried her into the large, well-appointed living room. He found a comfortable chair and sat down, easing the child onto his lap.

  She smiled to Pappa across the room, revealing her delight. He smiled warmly in return.

  “Who have you got there, Armand?” an elegantly clad lady inquired.

  He looked down at the child on his lap and encouraged gently, “Will you tell the lady your name?”

  “I’m Lilly,” she replied quietly.

  “And how old are you, Lilly?”

  “Five. I have a baby sister.”

  Her head turned when someone called out. “She’s adorable. I must have her picture.” A woman approached, carrying a camera.

  Lilly had seen her from her perch on the stairs in the past. She frequently took pictures at Mamma and Pappa’s parties.

  “Do you think you can be very still and smile for the camera, Lilly?” she encouraged.

  Lilly looked toward Pappa. He nodded his approval, and she gave her best smile.

  Eventually, Nanny appeared in the doorway. Lilly liked Nanny. She was kind and had a friendly smile.

  “Are you ready to come upstairs,” she asked, “or would you like a few more minutes to visit?”

  “I’m ready.”

  With a little help, she slid off the nice man’s lap. Then, as she had been taught, she turned and curtsied goodnight to the guests, before heading upstairs with Nanny.

  Chapter One

  Present Day

  Lauren Hart looked up at the light rap on her office door. Her day had been long and stressful, but a smile surfaced when Marci, her normally cheerful assistant, stepped into the room. She sympathetically asked, “Everything all right? Mr. Fine had the oddest look on his face when he left.”

  Lauren shrugged, “I’ll live.” She held a management position with a Manhattan marketing firm, and for the past hour, she had been dealing with their most trying client. Her tact and patience were hanging by a thread by the time he finally exited her office.

  Marci shook her head. “I don’t know how you do it. No one else will touch Phil Fine.”

  “He became mine by default,” Lauren reminded her.

  “Because he refuses to deal with anyone but you!”

  Lauren gave her a half smile. “For the most part, we deal quite well together, but there are days . . .” Her smile turned mischievous. “I sent him off with the suggestion that he give us all a break, and go home and spend a romantic evening with his wife.”

  “You didn’t! That’s why he had that goofy grin on his face!”

  Marci never ceased to be impressed by her boss’s daring ways with demanding clients. But they seemed to work, and the clients adored her.

  Lauren laughed. She could afford to. She was leaving for Norway this evening. Ten blissful days away from the office. “If he has another tantrum while I am gone, he is all yours,” she said with not an ounce of guilt.

  “Don’t remind me.”

  Lauren glanced at her watch. “I need to make a quick call to Peter Andrews, fill him in on a couple of things before I head out. Could you call me a cab while I finish up?”

  “No need. Mr. Andrews called while you were working your magic on Mr. Fine. When I explained who you were doing battle with at that moment, he said to give him a call when you have a minute. He also said he’ll have his car and driver waiting downstairs. That should get you to JFK in plenty of time.”

  Lauren thought of the comfortable interior of her CEO’s car and smiled in gratitude. “How very kind of him.” She must remember
to thank him.

  As if reading her mind and knowing Lauren had a warm relationship with their CEO and his wife, Marci said, “I already thanked him on your behalf, quite profusely.” She walked toward the door, then hesitated a moment before turning around. “So, what do you know about this character you’re traveling thirty-five-hundred miles to meet?”

  Concentrating on her work. Lauren answered absently, “Almost nothing. Why?”

  “Isn’t that a little risky?”

  “He’s a distant cousin interested in his family’s history. How dangerous can he be?”

  “I could do a quick Google search for you.”

  “No, thanks,” said Lauren dryly. “I’ll make my own judgment once I meet him. If I wanted more info, I’d have asked my aunt. She’s the one who found him, or he found her, I don’t remember which. No, I’m sure he found her. My aunt is an avid family history buff. She gets so excited when she discovers a new name that she emails every adult family member with the news.” Lauren shrugged lightly. “Normally, I just file the email and forget about it, but this one caught my attention because he’s from Bergen, Norway, my mother’s hometown, yet no one in the family knew of his existence.

  “My mother’s family emigrated from there in the 1950s and settled in Utah. She still has childhood friends there but no living relatives that we were aware of. Ever since my aunt mentioned him, I’ve had this feeling I should go and meet him. Sounds weird, I know, but the feeling won’t go away. So, I called my aunt, and she contacted the man and arranged a meeting between us. I’m meeting him for lunch,” Lauren glanced at her watch again and did a quick calculation, “in approximately thirty-nine hours.”

  “Long way to travel for a lunch date,” muttered Marci under her breath, though she knew Lauren was combining the lunch date with a short vacation. She had friends in Norway, and it wasn’t unheard of for her to fly over for the occasional visit.

  Lauren’s smile held amusement. She knew Marci well enough to know she was dying to do the Google search and wondered why she wasn’t more curious. But then she’d never peeked at a Christmas present either because she didn’t want to spoil the surprise on Christmas morning.

  “I expect he’s an older gentleman, probably around my parents’ age. They’re usually the ones curious about their family tree, aren’t they?”

  Marci shrugged. “I still say you should be armed with a little more information.”

  “I have his name, phone number, email address, and the name and address of the restaurant he chose. What more do I need? He’s family, Marci. I’m sure he is a perfectly nice man.”

  Lauren turned her attention back to the computer screen but smiled inwardly as a frustrated Marci flounced out of her office muttering something about some people having no curiosity.

  Marci couldn’t decide if it was envy or admiration she felt when, a short time later, Lauren exited her office, an oversized bag slung over her shoulder and wheeling a suitcase behind.

  Probably a little of both.

  Her boss had changed from office attire into more casual traveling clothes, but as always, Lauren’s uncontrived touch of style set her apart. Her face held a warm smile as she said goodbye.

  “See you a week from Monday. If problems crop up, I have every confidence you can handle them. Worst case? Text me an SOS.”

  “Believe me, your number is permanently etched on my brain and on my cell for backup. Have a wonderful trip, and send my regards to the distant cousin, especially if he turns out to be young and hot.”

  Lauren’s eyebrow shot up. Marci was happily married and mother to young Justin. Then her laughter rang out. “Right!”

  The echo of Lauren’s laughter lingered long after she had gone.

  “Boss still around?” The hopeful face of a coworker came into view. Marci recognized him as Charles Parker, one of their young sales executives, new to the firm.

  Marci shook her head. “You just missed her.”

  His face fell. “I wanted to ask her out for a drink after work.”

  Knowing Lauren never dated coworkers and didn’t drink alcohol, she said kindly, “I’m Lauren’s assistant, not her social secretary, but it might be helpful for you to know she has a policy of not dating coworkers. Sorry.”

  “Never? But, she’s so h—.” He stopped himself just in time. You had to be so careful with words these days.

  Marci smiled at his predicament. She had learned in the time she had worked for Lauren that though she dressed impeccably in modest business suits, in the eyes of the men working on this floor, she had that special something that set her apart. “Careful,” she cautioned.” Lauren’s a class act.”

  “I know that. That’s why I want to take her out.”

  “Get in line, Charlie. So does every other unattached male on this floor.”

  “And she never goes out with any of them?”

  “Nope.”

  The young man shrugged his shoulders and said cockily, “She’ll go with me. I’ll catch her in the morning.”

  Marci chuckled almost soundlessly at his confidence. “Good luck with that. Lauren won’t be back in the office until a week from Monday.”

  “Another business trip?”

  “Vacation.”

  “Oh, man! I was hoping to take her out this weekend.”

  “Sorry. Can’t help you.” She watched him turn and walk away, shoulders slumped in defeat.

  Another one down, she thought and almost felt sorry for him.

  Marci had been working as Lauren’s personal assistant close to three years. She loved her job. It was interesting, challenging, and her boss was a dream to work for, but the most entertaining part of the job was watching the single male employees drool over Lauren. It was hilarious to watch, especially since she seemed completely unaffected by the attention. She laughed and joked with them and effortlessly deflected their attempts at flirting. Not one of them had managed to charm her into a date. When Marci had remarked upon it, Lauren just said, “I don’t need undercurrents at work. This way we all stay friendly.”

  Wondering about the man Lauren was traveling to Norway to meet, she was sorely tempted to go behind her boss’s back and Google him, but she had so much respect for Lauren that she simply couldn’t do it. Instead, she logged off her computer, turned out the lights, and went home to her husband and son.

  Lauren spent the flight across the Atlantic in an aisle seat but had requested a window seat for the short flight from London to Bergen because that first glimpse of coastal Norway never failed to enchant her. Today the sky cooperated by displaying that deep, almost purple blue she’d never seen in New York. The water below sparkled, and a feeling of homecoming washed over her.

  She didn’t expect to be met. Jon and Bente Jansen, longtime family friends and her hosts, had offered to meet her flight, but she assured them she would catch the airport shuttle into town and a taxi to their home. So it was a surprise to hear her name called as she exited the airport terminal in search of the bus. Turning toward the voice, her face lit up, and she stepped into the welcoming arms of the man standing there with a wide grin on his face.

  “Lasse! I wasn’t expecting to be met. I told your parents not to worry, that I’d make my own way to their house.”

  “That’s what I heard. Lousy way for you to arrive if you ask me. Besides, this gave me an excuse to get out of the office for a while.” He held her at arm’s length and looked at her with affection. “How are you, Lauren? It’s been awhile.”

  “Too long,” she agreed. “Did your mom tell you why I’m here?”

  “Something about a long-lost relative?”

  “That’s right. I’ll fill you in while we’re driving.”

  Lasse commandeered her suitcase while she grappled with her carry-on. “I got lucky. My car is parked straight ahead,” he said as they crossed the parking lot. “How
long are you here for?”

  “My return flight is next Thursday, so just a week.”

  “You didn’t give yourself much time.”

  “It’s a busy time at work. I was lucky to be able to squeeze in a week as it was. And I’m stealing a long weekend at home before returning to work. I’ve earned it.”

  Lasse hoisted her suitcase into the trunk of his car, then saw her settled in the passenger seat. As he climbed behind the wheel, he turned to look at her again. She looked fresh and young and so appealing. Hard to believe she held an important management position with her firm. Once upon a time he’d been madly in love with her, but he’d been young and arrogant and, yes, stupid. Things had not ended well between them, but strangely they had remained friends. He still had a soft spot for her he suspected would always be there.

  “You’re looking good, Lauren. Happy. Someone special in your life?”

  “No. I travel too much to have time for a serious relationship.” She paused, then admitted, “Actually, that’s just a handy excuse. If I ever met the right man, I’d change my priorities and make time for him.”

  Yes, Lasse thought. Lauren had always had her priorities right. I was the screw-up. And it occurred to him he didn’t like the idea of her with another man, which made no sense at all considering the number of women he’d dated over the years. He straightened and turned the key in the ignition, then backed smoothly out of the parking space.

  Lauren always enjoyed the drive from the airport into the city. And if she looked happy, as Lasse claimed, being here in this beautiful country and away from the pressures of work had everything to do with that.