Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
W hile Mitch had plenty to tell Harper about the book, there were a few other things he wanted to discuss with her, too. “Anyway, that about wraps up the story so far. Today was a bit scattershot, since I had some interruptions. I might be a little behind, but it is what it is.”
Harper nodded. “As Jack would say, things are things.”
“Yes, they are.” He laughed softly. “Jack is a character.”
“No argument there. But that’s why he’s beloved. He’s interesting, and quirky, and, in many ways, a rule breaker. But it’s also why the press is after him. I hope Lucas’s brother can help him. Because if this woman, Monica, decides to go to the press with her story…” She shook her head. “I think Jack will ultimately be all right, but it will be ugly for a while.”
“I agree.” He hesitated, but there was no reason not to tell her everything. They didn’t really have secrets. He’d unburdened his soul to her on more than one occasion. Shared things he’d never told another living person. No point in changing that now. “I asked him to look into Addison, too. Not because I think she’s done this before, but just to see what he could find out about her. See if he can help us in any way.”
“How’s everything going with custody?”
“Not great. We’re sort of in limbo mode right now, but I may end up with a different attorney. I’ll see what Angelo comes back with and make that decision.”
Harper leaned forward to reach her bottle of water, took a drink, then set it down again. “Maybe he could handle it all for you.”
“Meaning?”
“Well, Angelo seems like a capable guy with a talent for persuasion. I was thinking…what if you sent him to Addison with a check?”
Mitch snorted as his brows shot up. “Harper Calhoun. My, my.”
“What?” She laughed. “I know you want this done. Think about it. He goes to see her personally with a cashier’s check for whatever you think is the right amount of money and gets her to sign the custody paperwork in exchange for it. She’s out for fame and fortune, right? Put that check in front of her and I bet it’ll be hard for her to think about anything else.”
“You’re a lot more calculating than I imagined.”
She shook her head. “I’m just practical. And I like to solve problems. Addison is a problem that I believe can be solved with money.”
“Yes,” he said. “I agree with you on that. I’ll give it some thought.” He’d give it a lot of thought. But he wanted to see what Angelo could dig up on the woman first.
“I’d get him to wear a bodycam of some kind, too. I’m sure he has one. He seems like that kind of guy. I mean that in a good way. But I’d get the whole interaction recorded so that she can’t come back later and say she was tricked into anything.”
“I hope you and Joyce never decide to take over the world.”
She grinned. “How’s Kyle feeling about the book going to your agent?”
“He’s excited and nervous and all of those things. It’s a big deal. He wants to sit down with you soon and do some brainstorming for his next book. You can bill that time to me.”
“Happy to do it. I gave Frankie his book, but I don’t know if she’s started it yet. She’s been working like crazy, which is good for her. She needs to grow her business if it’s going to sustain her.”
“I’m sure she’ll make it happen. The logo she did for Lucas was very nice.” He shifted in his seat. “I was thinking it might be nice to do another day out on the boat. This time with everyone. Joyce, Beryl, Kyle, Ruthie. We could bring Jack and Angelo, too. And the dogs, of course.”
“You certainly have room for everyone, but are you sure about Jack? Once the press sees him—”
“We’ll put him in the cabin until we get out of sight of them.”
“Okay, but they might recognize you, too. They have to know you live in the house next to where he’s staying.”
“True.” He thought for a moment. “Lucas can drive the boat. Jack and I will hang out in the cabin until we’re clear.”
She nodded. “That should work. I’m sure Jack would love the day out.” She smiled. “It would be a lot of fun. Would we go back to Thieves’ Island?”
“We could, or we could just go up the coast. It’s a beautiful trip and we’re less likely to run into anyone. Although there is a small island near St. Augustine we could stop at. Pine Island. Nothing much to see, but there’s a sandbar around the island. There might be people there, but less chance of that on a weekday.”
“The coast side is probably a better idea. The fewer people the better. When do you want to go?”
“I can go anytime. I’ll have to check with Lucas. I know he’s got a lot going on. If we have a day to plan, we should be fine, right?”
“I think so. Frankie might not want to give up a whole day of work, but if it means spending the day with Lucas, I’m sure she’ll manage it.”
Mitch smiled. “Or you and I could just go.”
She tipped her head. “Just the two of us?”
“Too soon?”
“No, not too soon.” Her smile was a little shy.
He didn’t want to push it, so he went back to the group idea. “You talk to Jack and your crew, I’ll talk to mine, and I’ll reach out to Lucas as well.”
“Will do. Does Kyle want to talk to me now?”
“He’s in the pool with Ruthie, so I’m guessing it’s not the best time.”
“All right. Well, maybe I’ll go see him before I leave and find out when he wants to get together.” She picked up her water bottle again but didn’t drink, just held it. “How are you doing with everything? Lots of change in your house. Are you still journaling?”
“I am. Maybe not as much as I should, but I’m doing pretty well. There has been a lot of change, but it’s been good change. Kyle, Ruthie, Bunny, and now Beryl.” He smiled, shifting his gaze toward the horizon line. “It’s funny how the thought of a houseful of people would have sent me into a rage just a few weeks ago. Now, it makes me happy.”
He looked at Harper. “You make me happy.”
Her eyes sparkled with affection. “You do the same for me.”
“Are you looking forward to our trip to L.A.?”
“I am. Getting to be a part of this movie is just amazing. But when I think about L.A., I think about how I still need to deal with my place out there. Clean it out, pack up what I’m keeping, get rid of what I’m not, and that isn’t going to be fun, but it needs to be done.”
“Maybe I could help.”
She made a face. “You don’t want to deal with all of that.”
“Neither do you. Moving is not fun. But we could fly out, do our meeting with the producers, then rent a truck and drive your stuff back.”
“Mitch. Are you being serious?”
“Yes. Don’t I sound serious?”
“That’s a lot of time out of your schedule. Time when you could be writing. I don’t think—”
“The time isn’t an issue. And we both have family around to look after our dogs, so they’d be fine.”
“But—”
“Harper, if we’re going to be…a couple,” it was weird to say that word, he recognized that, “then that’s what couples do. They help each other with the hard things.”
She sat without speaking for a few moments. She sipped her water, then put it back on the table. “Moving would be a real test of our relationship.”
He laughed. “It might be, you’re right. But it would be easier than doing it by yourself, don’t you think?”
She nodded. “It would be. But I feel like it’s asking a lot.”
He leaned forward. “Here’s the thing—you didn’t ask. I offered. So obviously, I’m willing to do it.” He sat back again, watching her face, seeing the internal struggle going on. “It might be fun. The road trip back part. Seeing the country. Eating in little diners.”
“Or we might never want to speak to each other again.”
He smirked. “You really think that’s what’s going to happen?”
“No.” She took a deep breath. “I would love your help. Thank you.”
“Then it’s a done deal. Make the arrangements on your end and I’ll reserve a truck for the return trip.”
She smiled. “I appreciate this.”
“I know you do.” He got to his feet, offering her a hand up.
She took it, letting him pull her against him. She kissed him. “Walk me out?”
He nodded, keeping hold of her hand.
Bunny followed them down to the first floor. From there, they went out to the pool so Harper could speak to Kyle.
Ruthie was sitting in a floating ring with its own sunshade and back support. She looked like a little princess. Mitch smiled. “Hi, there, baby girl.”
Kyle grinned and looked at Harper. “You see that? It’s like I don’t even exist anymore.”
She laughed. “Sorry, but it’s pretty hard to notice anyone else next to that gorgeous child. Your dad said you were interested in doing some brainstorming?”
He nodded. “Yeah, I am. I have a lot of ideas for the next book, but they’re not really coming together.”
“I’m game anytime you are. Just let me know.”
“Okay. How about tomorrow morning, over coffee? If Dad can keep an eye on Ruthie.”
“I can,” Mitch said. He’d crouched down by the edge of the pool to see Ruthie better. After Harper left, he was going to run upstairs, put his trunks on, and get in the water.
“Don’t you think your dad could help with the brainstorming?” Harper asked. “He knows more about books than the two of us put together.”
“Good point,” Kyle said. “I’m sure Beryl can watch Ruthie.”
Harper nodded. “Then it’s a date.” She looked at Mitch. “I guess I’ll be seeing you in the morning, then.”
He stood. “I look forward to it.” He gestured at Kyle. “Don’t go anywhere. I’m going to join you guys in the pool.”
Harper waved at Kyle, then tipped her head toward her house. “Have a good night.”
“You, too.” He wanted to kiss her. But he hadn’t done that in front of Kyle yet.
Harper smiled like she knew. “It’s okay,” she said softly.
“No, it isn’t.” Mitch gave her a quick peck on the mouth. “But practice makes perfect.”