Chapter 49
Chapter Forty-Nine
H arper woke up, unsure of where she was for a split-second, then it all came back to her. First Class. On the way to Nevada to wrap up the paperwork to handle her mother’s final wishes.
Mitch was asleep beside her. The cabin lights were dim. Most everyone seemed to be sleeping.
She still cringed that she’d said she loved him, but it hadn’t appeared to bother him at all. He’d even said it back. Was that his way of making her feel better? If so, it had worked.
She pressed a few buttons on the screen in front of her until she found the flight map. Looked like they’d be landing in about an hour or so. She yawned and closed her eyes again.
A soft chime sounded. She opened her eyes. The chime was followed by the captain’s voice. “Ladies and gentlemen, we’re preparing for landing in Las Vegas, Nevada. I hope you’ve had a comfortable flight. We look forward to seeing you again soon.”
Lights flickered on and next to her, Mitch was stretching.
It took forty minutes to get off the plane, get to baggage claim, and retrieve their suitcases. They passed slot machines on the way to the baggage area but what was more surprising was that people were actually playing them.
She put her computer bag on top of her rolling bag and followed Mitch toward the rental car signs. “You said you got a car?”
He nodded. “I did. We have an SUV. Don’t know what kind yet.”
They soon sorted that out, and found their vehicle, a Chevy Tahoe. Mitch loaded everything into the back while she got in and adjusted her seat. He slid behind the wheel, turned on the engine to get the air going, and set the navigation for their destination.
It wasn’t the assisted-living facility. She leaned over for a better look. “We’re going to the Four Seasons?”
He nodded. “I figured we’d be too tired to drive and this way, we can get some sleep, have breakfast in the morning and get an early start.” He shifted into Drive. “You okay with that?”
“Yes. That was very thoughtful.” She didn’t mind one bit. It was late. Or rather early. Not a great time to be navigating unfamiliar territory. Laughlin was about a ninety-minute drive south of Vegas. “Thank you. For all of this.”
“You bet.” He got them there in about fifteen minutes. He stopped at the valet stand.
She quickly realized that Mitch did nothing by half-measures when he traveled. It wasn’t just the First Class seats or the valet parking. The rooms were pretty nice, too. They were adjoining and had views of the Strip, a spectacular kaleidoscope of light and color visible through an entire wall of windows. There was no way these were standard rooms.
A bellman brought their bags up. Mitch tipped him. The man said thank you and left. Mitch looked at her. “You need anything?”
She shook her head. “I think I’m going to shower and crash.”
“Same. Knock when you’re up in the morning and we’ll go eat, then get on the road. I know you’re probably anxious to get this all taken care of.”
“I am, but there’s no reason to rush too much.” She put her hand on his chest, leaned in and kissed him. “See you in the morning.”
“Night,” he whispered.
She wheeled her luggage to her side and closed the adjoining door. He’d gone to a lot of expense to get her here, and now more expense so they could get a fresh start a few hours later. He was doing all of this for her. It was a lot to take in.
She got her shower, then wrapped up in the complimentary robe and went to stand in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. So much light and activity. So much going on down there. People partying and spending money and living their lives.
Something her mother would never get the chance to do again. But that wasn’t fair, and she knew it. Her mother hadn’t been capable of anything like that in a long time. It was just Harper’s grief getting the better of her. Trying to squeeze a few more tears out of her.
She was done with that. Her mother had had a good life. She’d been a great mom. Harper wanted to celebrate her, not mourn her. She knew from having worked with so many grieving clients that a lot of her sorrow was for herself.
Her mother was no longer in pain, no longer lost in the fog her mind had become. She was in a better place. Harper was the one left behind.
She pulled the curtains and went to bed.
She didn’t remember falling asleep, so waking up felt odd. She knew where she was, and why she was there. She checked her email on her phone. One needed a response, but she’d do that later in the car. She tossed the covers back and went to the adjoining doors. The click-clack of fingers on a keyboard was just audible.
Mitch was up and he was working. Or doing something on his computer.
She hustled to get ready. She dressed in white denim capris and a blue and white striped T-shirt, fixed her hair into an easy ponytail, then put on some makeup and her jewelry. She knocked on the adjoining door. “Mitch?”
He opened it a moment later. “Morning. How’d you sleep?”
“Hard. Like I needed it. You?”
“I slept all right. Ready to eat?”
“Yes.” It was seven a.m. in Vegas, which meant it was ten a.m. in Hideaway Bay. She hadn’t slept in that late in ages, although it had been pretty late when they’d gotten here.
They went downstairs to the Veranda, one of the hotel’s restaurants, and quickly got a table. Vegas wasn’t necessarily a town of early risers, evident by how few people were in the restaurant. Mitch immediately ordered a carafe of coffee for the table.
There was a buffet, but they both decided to skip it. They perused the menus as they waited for the coffee. She lowered hers to see him. “This feels strange to me. Like a vacation, but not.”
He nodded. “I get that.”
The server returned with the coffee. Harper ordered the California Club omelet, Mitch ordered the Sin City.
The server took their menus and left. Mitch poured coffee for both of them. Harper rested her forearms on the table, crossed in front of her, and leaned in. “We haven’t talked about it in a hot minute but are you still good to do that reading at the library? They emailed me to confirm.”
He nodded. “Yes. Remind me when it is?”
“Two weeks from now.”
“We’ll be back by then. And we don’t leave for L.A. for three weeks. Go ahead and confirm.”
She took her arms off the table to drink her coffee. “I will once we’re in the car.” She sipped, then looked at him. “Unless you want me to drive?”
“No, I’ve got it.”
“Thanks. Were you working this morning? I thought I heard you on the computer.”
“I was. Something about traveling always inspires me. It wasn’t anything major. Just adding some color to a scene.” He let out a small laugh. “You know, I always say I hate traveling, which is sort of true, but at the same time, it’s a great way to refill the creative well. Seeing new places, interesting sights, curious people.”
She lifted her brows. “I don’t think there’s a better place to see curious people than Las Vegas.”
He grinned. “You’re right about that. It’s an odd town, isn’t it? There’s so much to do, so much to see. All the shows and music and entertainment. Everything you look at is competing for your attention. And yet, there are people who come here and never leave the casino.”
“It’s a very odd town. Great food and great shopping, though.”
“Maybe we could come back here sometime for a long weekend. Under happier circumstances.”
She smiled. “Take a trip together? That doesn’t involve work?”
He nodded tentatively. “Yes. What do you think?”
“I think…” Should she tell him the truth? That she really did love him? That what had slipped out at the airport was really what she was feeling? Or was grief making her reckless? “I think we should talk about it later.”
“Right.” He sat back and concentrated on his coffee, eyes down, brow furrowed.
That hadn’t been the reaction she’d expected. Or wanted. Inwardly, she cringed. “Mitch, I really do care about you.”
He frowned. “But?”
“No but. Other than I don’t know if I can trust my emotions right now in light of what I’m feeling because of my mom. I don’t want to say anything to you that’s simply a reaction. I like you too much.”
He stared at her a moment. “I respect that.” He sighed. “After Jeanie died, I said a lot of things to people that I came to regret.” He looked out the window. “I might still owe an apology to a couple of them.”
“What I said in the airport last night—”
“Don’t.” He shook his head. “There’s nothing to explain. I don’t care if you meant it or not. I understand what you’re going through. You don’t need to worry about a few words.”
She smiled. Their breakfast arrived. She waited until they were alone again to speak. She picked up her fork. “I know I keep saying it, but thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
She hoped he really knew how much his presence meant to her. If she’d had to do this alone, she’d have been a mess. Not that she couldn’t have done it. She was capable. But he was doing the heavy lifting, meaning she didn’t have to shoulder the burden of grief along with the additional weight of logistics and travel and everything else.
It was one of the best gifts she’d ever been given. How could she not love a man like that?