Chapter 13
“I hate being wrong.” ~ Harper
Harper
“G ood afternoon, Harper,” Carl greets when I let him into the house.
“Dad’s taking a nap. His pain meds knocked him out. I’m late for work but if you need anything, call me. My cell number and the number for the bar are on the refrigerator.”
“I’ve got everything under control. I’ll see you when you get off work.”
“It’ll be late.”
“Yes, I understand a bar owner doesn’t get off work at five in the afternoon.”
I ignore the obvious sarcasm and barrel on. “I made the bed in the guest room up in case you want to sleep. You don’t need to stay up if Dad’s in bed.”
He squeezes my shoulder. “I promise everything will be okay. ”
I hesitate. This is my first time leaving Carl alone with Dad. We spent the day yesterday going over Dad’s routine and getting to know each other.
I know Carl is competent – I might have insisted he show me his qualifications – but this is my dad. I’ve never left him alone with anyone for more than an hour – let alone a stranger from the mainland.
“Harper, go to work.”
I bite my bottom lip. I should be the one to stay with Dad. He’s my responsibility. What kind of person am I, leaving the care of my family to a stranger?
“You can always have one of your nosey neighbors check on me if you’re worried.”
“I don’t have nosey neighbors.”
It’s a lie. My neighbors are totally nosey. In fact, Jade is peeking through her garage window at us now. I wave to her and she gives me a thumbs-up.
I notice the time. I’m late. I can’t stand in the doorway all day. No one wins then.
“I’m going,” I say and manage to drag myself out the door.
I arrive at work five minutes later. Five minutes. I can be home in five minutes if Dad needs me. If Carl flakes and runs off. Although, the more likely scenario is Dad chasing Carl off.
My phone beeps with a message from Stud Muffin. Stud Muffin? I don’t have anyone listed in my contacts under Stud Muffin.
How is Carl working out?
Who is this ?
Kai.
Did you change your name to Stud Muffin in my contacts?
You’re welcome.
I’m changing it back to Interfering Man-Child.
Pretty sure I proved I’m not a child yesterday.
My body warms and I fan myself at the reminder of yesterday. I’ve thought of my kiss with Kai about a million times since it happened. Our kiss was sexier than any kiss I’ve read about in a book before. And I’ve read plenty of kissing scenes, considering my addiction to romance novels.
I don’t know what you’re talking about.
I’m happy to give you a reminder.
Some of us have to work.
If you change your mind, I’ll be at Mermaid Karaoke with my brothers later. Feel free to stop by.
Good reminder. Kai is a player. And I never learned how to share my toys. I have no desire to be with a man who doesn’t understand the word monogamy. I don’t care how much my toes curled during our kiss.
I won’t.
I shove my phone in my pocket before I’m tempted to keep texting with Kai. I have work to do.
The rear door flies open and Sloane rushes inside.
“What are you doing here?”
“You said you need help with the inventory.”
“And you said you couldn’t help because you can’t leave Boozer alone for too long.”
She shrugs. “I found a doggy walker. ”
I raise my eyebrow. “You found a doggy walker? I’ve been asking you to find one for years.”
“Kai found one for me. She’s great. She can’t have a dog of her own because her husband’s allergic, but she loves dogs. She’s going to the beach with him. Boozer is going to love her more than me.”
I hold up a hand. “Did you say Kai found your doggy walker?”
“Yep. He phoned me the other day and set everything up.” She frowns at me. “What’s wrong? You’re Siren’s Scowl is blaring at me.”
“Kai won’t stop interfering in my life.”
“Oh yeah?” She inches closer. “How is he interfering in your life?”
I groan. “How big is the jackpot?”
She blinks her eyes. “I don’t know what you’re referring to.”
“The jackpot for whoever wins the bet about when Kai and I will get together. How big is it?”
“Nope. Not telling.” She zips her lips.
I tap my foot, cross my arms over my chest, and give her my best Siren’s Scowl.
“No fair! You can’t give me the look. No one can resist the look.”
“How big is the jackpot?”
“It’s big,” she bursts out. “Every time someone’s date passes, the money is rolled over into a new bet.”
My nostrils flare. “How long have people on this island been betting on me behind my back? ”
“It’s not behind your back. Everyone just wants you to be happy. You work really hard at the bar and then take care of your father at home.”
“I’m about done with everyone complaining I work too hard.”
“People care about you, Harper. Is that so hard to believe?”
“I—” The phone in my office rings before I have a chance to respond. Good. Since I have no idea how to respond.
“I’ll start the inventory. You deal with the phone.”
My mouth drops open as Sloane enters the storage room. Normally, I have to beg her to work overtime.
The phone rings again and I rush to my office to answer it.
“ Rumrunner, this is Harper.”
“Hey, Harper. It’s Rhett.”
I groan. Did I forget to pay the bill to Buccaneer’s Whiskey & Distillery? Maybe if I shuffle some money around, I can find the cash needed.
“Did you get my email?”
At his question, I switch on my computer. “Summarize it for me.”
“I drafted a payment plan for you at your request.”
“But you said Buccaneer’s doesn’t do payment plans.” When you throw your pride out of the window and ask for help, you don’t forget the refusal.
“I’ve since discussed it with the board and we’ve changed our policy.”
“Your board?”
There’s a slight hesitation before he says, “Yes. ”
“Kai, the interferer, strikes again,” I mutter.
“It was actually a good idea. Some of the whiskeys Jaxon is developing are higher end. More establishments will need payment plans to stock them.”
I notice he didn’t deny Kai was behind the change.
“I’m about done with your little brother interfering in my life.”
“Can I give you some advice?”
I snort. “Something tells me you’re going to dish it out whether I want it or not.”
“Everyone needs help sometimes. Dakota fought me tooth and nail. She was determined to do everything on her own.”
“I knew there was a reason I liked her.”
“She was killing herself. There was no joy or happiness in her life. It was all work, work, work.”
I bristle. “You make work sound bad.”
“Nothing wrong with working hard. But it is wrong if work is all you have in your life. And now I’ll shut up before you decide to beat me with your telephone.”
“I can hardly beat you when we’re not in the same room.”
“If anyone could figure it out, you could.”
He hangs up and I make my way to the storage room to help Sloane with the inventory. With her help, it takes half the time it usually does.
“I’ll make up a purchase order,” I say as we finish.
“I’ll get the bar open.”
My phone beeps with a message .
It’s Carl. Just wanted to let you know all is going well. Henry had his dinner and is now watching a movie.
Thanks for letting me know.
“Is it Kai?” Sloane waggles her eyebrows at me.
“Nope. My dad’s caretaker checking in.”
“I didn’t know you got a caretaker.”
I frown. “I didn’t. Kai found him.”
“You should thank him.” She thrusts her hips. “Without your clothes on.”
“I’m not getting naked with Kai for you to win a bet.”
“But naked is the best thank you.”
Thank you? Should I thank Kai?
Yes, he forced a caretaker on me. And he did all the other things – found a doggy walker for Sloane, arranged a payment plan – without my consent. But they are things that have helped me.
My mother would be utterly disappointed in me for being rude to him after all he’s done.
Damn. I really do need to thank him. I dig my phone out of my back pocket. What am I doing? I can’t thank him with a text. My mom taught me better than this.
I guess I’m going to Mermaid Karaoke after all.