Chapter 40
Chapter Forty
H arper rolled out of bed with a surprising amount of energy. She’d slept well. Soundly, without too many crazy dreams, which often left her feeling tired. That kind of deep sleep wasn’t something that always happened, so she was happy about it.
She was also happy about getting Mitch to agree to read at the library fundraiser. They’d discussed it after they’d gotten off the boat. She planned to email the library today to let them know.
But first, she needed to get outside. She went to the doors and pulled back the sheers to let the light in. The sun had only just risen. Archie stared up at her from his bed, Mr. Brown tucked under his chin, and seemed to be wondering why she was so bright and cheery.
She crouched down to cup his face in her hands and kiss his nose. “Come on, baby dog. How about we go out for a nice walk this morning? Wear you out a bit?”
His only response was a big yawn.
She laughed. “Are you really going to stay in bed? I’ll take you to the dog park. You can run around. Without your leash on.”
Reluctantly, he got up and stretched, doing the kind of yoga she could only hope to achieve.
“That’s more like it.” She brushed her teeth and got dressed, opting for capri leggings, a tank top, and a ball cap to hold her hair back. Sneakers laced, she tucked her phone into the pocket of her leggings, then went out to the kitchen.
She’d slept so well she didn’t even mind waiting for coffee until later.
She wrote a quick note for Frankie and Willa, in case they got up before she came back, and left it on the counter next to the coffee maker. She clipped Archie’s leash onto his collar and took him downstairs.
Instead of going directly out, she took a quick detour to look at the progress on Frankie’s painting. There wasn’t much done. Just a background and some hair, although the shape of Arlington’s face had been sketched out.
Harper nodded. Despite being in the beginning stages, she could see him in the painting. “Nicely done, Frankie.”
She took Archie out, and they immediately stopped so he could do his morning business. The air carried the subtle trace of salt from the ocean, making her think about spending some time at the beach. She knew Frankie would want to stay home and work, which was fine, but maybe Willa would go.
Archie kicked his feet through the grass a few times and they were on their way, headed toward the center of the community where the dog park was.
If they went to the beach, she could make a few sandwiches, bag up some fruit. It would be nice just to sit and read. Maybe she’d text Prisha, see if she wanted to join them. Prisha went to the beach a lot just to sit and read. Smart woman to have such a routine.
Harper needed to be that smart. If she was going to live here, she should take advantage of being so close to the ocean. It was silly not to. The pool was nice, but it was no substitute for sitting in front of that gorgeous water and listening to those waves.
Her phone, still on silent, vibrated in her pocket. She slowed to pull it out. “Hang on, Archie.”
She ducked into some shade to see the screen better and blinked. It was from Kyle.
If you’re available, could you come over this morning for about an hour or so to help me brainstorm? I’m definitely ready now.
She typed back, I’d love to. How’s nine?
He responded. That’s great. Thanks!
She put the phone away and started walking again. That would change her morning slightly, but not too much. She knew there would be coffee at Mitch’s, too. There was always coffee at Mitch’s. “We’re still going to the dog park, Archie boy, but we might not stay quite as long.”
She’d have a quick breakfast when she got back, maybe toast with almond butter and honey, then take a shower, check email, and she’d be on her way. She was looking forward to helping Kyle. His first book had been unbelievably good. Being able to contribute to the next one felt like a real honor.
She already felt that way about getting to help Mitch. How amazing was it that she was going to be with him to meet the producers of the new movie? It seemed like something out of a dream. She laughed then, realizing that the real dream was the fact that she and Mitch were now romantically involved.
That was something she’d never seen coming. Had Arlington? She wondered about that often.
The dog park was just ahead and who should be there but Lucas and Scout. “Oh, boy, Archie. Your girlfriend is going to be so excited to—”
Archie pulled at the leash, whining softly as he spotted the other dog.
“Okay, hang on, we’re almost there.” Laughing, she jogged to keep up with him, glad she’d worn her sneakers.
Lucas saw them coming and opened the gate. “Hey, neighbor.”
“Hi!” She slowed Archie down enough to unclip his leash.
As soon as he realized he was free, he bolted through the gate and went straight to Scout. The two dogs took off, racing around the large open area.
“How are you?” Lucas asked.
“I’m great. How are you?”
“I’m doing well, thanks. Do you usually come up here in the morning?”
She shook her head. “Nope. Just had a whim when I woke up. Do you?”
“Yeah, as often as I can. Scout needs to burn some of that energy off.”
“I should do this more for Archie. Especially now that I know you two are here.”
“Please do,” Lucas said as Scout and Archie went barreling past. He laughed. “This is exactly what she needs.”
“Him, too. I don’t want him turning into a couch potato. I suppose you heard already about Beryl?”
“About her moving here, you mean?” He grinned. “I could not be happier. It’s still early days, but that episode they did with me has incredible numbers. It’s been hugely successful. I need to have them back. I really want to help them launch their own channel.”
“Really?”
He nodded. “You watched the show, didn’t you?”
“I did. It was fantastic.” She smiled just thinking about it. “It’s funny, because you’re slightly different in person than you are on your show. I mean, that’s only natural, I suppose. It’s what actors do, after all. They adopt a role. But Joyce and Beryl are exactly who they are.”
He laughed. “I know what you mean.”
“All those little comments they make to one another. I don’t think they get how funny and endearing that is.”
“That’s what’s so great about them. They’re real. You can’t fake that.” He snorted. “Obviously. But they have a quality that harkens back to one of my favorite cooking shows of all time, which just so happens to also be British, Two Fat Ladies .”
Harper shook her head. “Never heard of it.”
“It’s absolute gold. Real women with great senses of humor, Old School food, and practical cooking techniques. You know, Joyce and Beryl could do something like that. They could easily be as popular as I am.”
Scout and Archie whizzed by again, showing no signs of slowing.
“You’re kidding.”
“Not in the slightest.”
“Wow. Do they know that?”
“Not really. They are going to do another show with me. I got them to commit to that. I don’t want to push them into anything. That’s not fun. They have to want to do it.”
“I agree. What’s that saying? If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life?”
“Something like that.” Scout returned with a stick, Archie trotting along at her side. Lucas looked at her. “Ready to go home, girl?”
“We should go, too,” Harper said. She clipped Archie’s leash back on. “Work to do and all that. Maybe I’ll see you guys up here again soon?”
“That would be great.”
With a wave, they each headed in the direction of home. When Harper got back, Frankie was sitting at the kitchen counter, working on her tablet, the welcoming aroma of coffee perfuming the air.
“Morning.” Harper unleashed Archie and gave him a scoop of kibble and fresh water.
“Morning,” Frankie said. “How was your walk?”
“Good. I ran into your boyfriend at the dog park.” Harper waggled her brows as she went to get coffee.
Frankie smiled. “Did you? I take it Scout and Archie had fun?”
“They did. Lucas was telling me about how well the episode with Joyce and Beryl is doing. He really thinks they could do big things.”
“I know. He’s been telling me about it, too.” Frankie tapped something on her tablet then set it down. “Do you want me to make some breakfast?”
“I’m just going to do some toast with almond butter and honey. I need to get to Mitch’s in a bit. I’m brainstorming with Kyle today.”
“How fun. Hey, his book is really good. I’m pretty close to the end. I just found out the killer’s identity. Totally did not see that coming.”
“Right?” Harper grinned. “It’s a fantastic book.” She grabbed the bread and popped two slices into the toaster, which held four altogether. “You want some?”
“Sure, why not. A quick breakfast means I can get to work faster.”
Harper added two more pieces of bread, then pushed the lever down. “I was thinking about asking Willa if she wants to go the beach with me later. I assume you probably want to stay in and work, but you’re welcome to come. I’m thinking of inviting Prisha, too.”
“Oh, maybe.” Frankie made a face. “I do need to keep working. I think I’m about to get a new commission for three sci- fi book covers. He’s given me a deposit, but he hasn’t seen the mockup yet. Even so, I feel good about it.”
“Wow. Go you. You’re really on fire lately. I’m so proud of you.” Harper got the almond butter and honey out.
“Thanks. It might seem like I have a lot happening, but this is exactly what I need to stay afloat. I really hope it’s not a weird fluke and things die off.”
Harper sipped her coffee. “You do great work. The more it gets out there, the more people talk about it, the more work you’ll get.”
“Is this leading into how I need to be more active on social media?”
Harper laughed softly. “You already know how I feel about that. Speaking of, have you talked to Jack?”
“Not yet. But I will when I see him.”
“Are the boats still out there? I didn’t look this morning.” Harper put two plates on the counter near the toaster.
“Neither did I.” Frankie got up to get more coffee, taking a detour to the windows. “Weird. The boats seem to be gone. Maybe they’ve given up.”
“We can only hope.”
A knock at the breezeway door turned both their heads.
“Jack?” Frankie said.
“Probably,” Harper answered. “I’ll get it.”