Chapter 55
Chapter Fifty-Five
F rankie looked away from her painting to check the time again. It was nearly eleven a.m. and Harper should be getting home soon. There was no reason for her to be so mindful of her sister getting in other than Frankie had missed her.
She was also concerned with how Harper was doing. How she was coping with the loss of her mom. That was no easy thing, and even if Harper had been anticipating it, actually experiencing the loss was very different.
She wanted to be available to Harper in whatever way her sister needed her. If she wanted to be left alone, that was fine, but if she wanted to sit and talk, Frankie would do that. Whatever Harper wanted. For as long as Harper wanted.
Frankie went back to work. Willa and Jack were out at the pool. Now that the paparazzi were gone, he was able to relax, get outside, and enjoy himself.
Willa had gotten the email with the list of classroom supplies she’d need to start the school year. Jack had told her he’d take her shopping this afternoon, promising again that it was all going to be on him.
He was such a kind man with an amazing heart. And that wasn’t just because he’d presented Frankie with the completed throw this morning at breakfast. It was beautiful, but it was truly special because it was handmade. Not to mention, made by some pretty famous hands.
She had a feeling he wouldn’t be here too much longer. It was a shame the paparazzi had pestered him so much. He could have enjoyed his time here so much more.
She wished Lucas had been able to throw his big dinner party like he’d wanted. He’d told her last night that Angie had promised to return in the fall and the dinner would definitely happen then.
She smiled, thinking about their date last night. They’d gone to a little Thai restaurant. It was no secret that Lucas loved Asian flavors. The restaurant had been tiny . Eight tables with three chairs at a small bar near the back.
Once again, the owners had known Lucas and greeted him warmly. They’d plied the two of them with more food than they’d been able to eat, all of it fresh and delicious. Frankie wasn’t familiar with the cuisine, having only eaten it once years before.
Now, however, it was one of her favorites. She’d already told Lucas she wanted to go back. After dinner, they’d gone to a local gallery that was having a small show.
It had been a real eye-opening experience for Frankie. She’d never thought about doing a gallery show. She still wasn’t sure about such an undertaking, but it was interesting to think about.
Lucas had made a point of finding the gallery’s owner and telling him all about Frankie. The man hadn’t seemed that interested until Lucas had let it slip that she was doing a commissioned portrait for Jackson Marsh.
Funny how one name could open doors.
The gallery owner had given her his card and asked her to keep in touch. Whatever that was worth.
Business was going well. Just this morning, she’d found more sales in her shop, and three promising emails from people interested in commissioning something. One wanted a T-shirt design for a fundraiser for a fire department, which Frankie was thinking about donating, another was looking for wedding invitations and the last was about a portrait of the person’s horse.
That was a new one. She’d never painted a horse before, although depending on what that person wanted to pay, it might be done in her graphics program as opposed to on canvas. Still, it sounded like an interesting challenge. She was always looking to expand her skills.
Which got her to thinking about the gallery again. Lucas was all for her doing a show, which she appreciated, but getting ready for a show meant an enormous amount of work. Work she wouldn’t be paid to do.
Of course, the goal of a show like that was to sell the work on display. The gallery would take its cut and she’d get the rest.
Unfortunately, she didn’t see a show as something that was possible right now. She had to focus on the paid work that was coming in. Maybe if things lightened up, which she didn’t want to happen, she could do a few pieces with a showing in mind. It was something for the possible future.
Then again, if things lightened up, she might be more worried about her bills.
She exhaled and stretched. Sitting in one position for too long made her stiff. One of the joys of aging. She was just about to add more paint to her palette when the front door opened.
“I’m home,” Harper called out. “Anyone? Archie?”
Frankie grinned, tossed her brush down, and ran for the foyer. “Harper!”
“Hey!”
Frankie hugged her. “Welcome home.”
“Thanks. It’s good to be back.”
“How was it?”
“Fine. Not great. But fine.” The door opened behind Harper and Mitch came in with another suitcase.
He wheeled it next to Harper’s first one. “There you go. Hey, Frankie.”
She nodded. “Hi.”
He leaned in and gave Harper a kiss. “I’m going to my place. Talk to you soon, okay?”
Harper nodded. “Yes.”
He gave Frankie a little wave and went back out.
Frankie glanced at the second suitcase. “Do a lot of shopping in Vegas?”
Harper’s mouth bent in a half-smile. “No. That’s my mom’s stuff from the assisted-living facility. Getting another suitcase was the easiest way to bring it home.”
“Sorry. That was insensitive of me.”
“No, it wasn’t. You didn’t know. Look, I’m good. I’m still sad, but I’m fine. I mean it. I take a lot of comfort in my mom and dad being reunited. I miss them both. Nothing’s going to change that, but it was a good trip.”
“Mitch really helped, didn’t he?”
“So much. I can’t even tell you.” Harper exhaled. “I think I’ll take these up in the elevator.”
“I’ll help you.” Frankie pushed the button to call the car. The doors opened right away since it sat on the first floor when not in use. She rolled the new suitcase on. It was surprisingly heavy.
“Thanks.” Harper came behind her with the other suitcase.
“Quick trip.”
Harper nodded. “Yeah, tiring, too. But I’m going to try to stay awake so I can sleep tonight. Being in another time zone for such a short period really messes with your head.”
“I bet.”
The doors opened. They stepped off and wheeled the suitcases into Harper’s bedroom. She grabbed the new suitcase. “Help me get this onto the bed, will you?”
“Sure.” Frankie took the other end, and they lifted it together. “Why is it so heavy? I thought it was your mom’s stuff.”
Harper unzipped it and flipped it open. She took out a white plastic bag, then nodded at the suitcase’s interior. “This is why.”
Inside were a lot of books and a few smaller items. Frankie nodded. “Makes sense now.”
Harper dug into the white plastic bag and pulled out a folded T-shirt. “This is for you. Just a silly T-shirt. I got one for Willa, too. Everything else is my mom’s. Mitch suggested we get a suitcase to bring everything back, so I didn’t have to decide right then what to keep. I’m glad he did.” She smiled. “I don’t have a lot of stuff from my mom but now I have all this.”
Frankie looked at the T-shirt. It had the Welcome to Las Vegas sign on it. Perfect for yoga. “There’s room for those books on that small shelving unit in the living room. Next to the TV. There’s even a pair of bookends with no books between them.”
Harper’s mouth opened. “You’re right. I hadn’t even thought about that. That’s perfect.”
“You want me to help you carry them out there?”
“Yeah, thanks.”
They each took a big handful to the living room.
Frankie set them on another shelf, letting Harper organize them how she liked. “How was it being with Mitch like that?”
Harper looked up from the books. “It was good. Easy. Comfortable. Not at all like the first time we were together twenty-four-seven.” She got a funny look on her face, an almost dreamy look. “We went into this fancy jewelry store at Caesars Palace so he could look at a watch, which he bought, but while we were in there, he had me try on a very expensive engagement ring.”
Frankie gasped. “Are you engaged? What did it look like?”
“No, no!” Harper laughed. “It was gorgeous. A fat oval diamond in the center, flanked by two big triangle sapphires on either side, all in platinum. But it was too much, and I told him that. He knows we’re not at that stage yet. He was just…” She shrugged. “I don’t know what he was doing, playing, I guess, but nothing like that is happening for a long, long time. I promise.”
Frankie sat on the arm of the couch. “Does he know that?”
Harper lined up the books they’d brought out, then stood. “Yes.” Her eyes narrowed. “I mean, I think he does. I’m sure he does. Listen, whatever you’re thinking, stop. Mitch and I aren’t there yet. And we won’t be for some time to come.”
“If you say so. Men can be impulsive.”
“So can women, but neither Mitch nor I are like that. I’m going to get the rest of the books.”
Frankie wondered if her sister could be wrong about Mitch and his ability to be impulsive. She got up and went with Harper back to the bedroom. “Would you marry him? If he asked?”
“Right now? No.” Harper scooped up another big armful of books.
Frankie did the same. “But in time? When you’ve gotten to know each other better?”
Harper paused by the door and turned, smiling. “Yes. I think I would.”
“I knew it,” Frankie said. “Do you love him?”
Harper didn’t answer until she was back at the bookcase. She kneeled to add the books. “I…I’m falling for him, how’s that?” She looked up at Frankie. “You’re full of questions.”
“It’s interesting. My sister might be marrying one of the most famous authors in the country. Can you blame me for asking?”
“Okay, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Mitch and I need to get to know each other better. We need to learn about each other’s likes and dislikes. A few weeks is barely the basis for a relationship, let alone a marriage.” Harper took Frankie’s books from her and added them to the shelf.
“Still,” Frankie said. “It seems like things between you are going somewhere. Somewhere good.”
“I could say the same for you and Lucas.” Harper got to her feet. “Unless things have changed while I was gone.”
Frankie smiled. “No, nothing’s changed. We went out last night. Dinner and a visit to an art gallery.”
“Nice,” Harper said. “So does that mean you’re getting married then?”
Frankie rolled her eyes. “Very funny.”
Harper snorted. “Fair is fair.”
Frankie headed for the steps. “I have painting to do. Glad you’re home.”
She was, too. Just like she was glad that Harper seemed to be in such good spirits. No doubt Mitch had a lot to do with that.
She went downstairs and back to her chair. She added paint to her palette and picked up her brush. Her music still played on her laptop. She glanced toward the river, the view from the rec room just as nice as anywhere else in the house.
Would she marry Lucas if he asked? She smiled. She absolutely would.