Chapter 36
Harper still couldn’t believe what had happened. One of her favorite authors, one of the country’s favorite authors, had just hired her to help him brainstorm. And beta read. How exciting was that? She would have firsthand knowledge of what was going to happen next.
And she was going to get paid for it.
This might be one of the hardest secrets she’d ever have to keep. Wasn’t like she wanted to tell the general public about it. But not being able to share with Frankie, who was also a fan of the books, was going to be hard.
She used the path between the houses, walking into hers without much thought until she didn’t get a greeting from Archie or Frankie. “Hello? Anyone home?”
Having initially only gone next door for honey, she hadn’t taken her phone. It was still on the kitchen counter where she’d left it.
She checked it and found a text from Frankie. Harper grinned as she read it. Lucas definitely liked Frankie. That was all there was to it.
She put the bread and toaster away, now that she no longer needed breakfast, then took her phone into the bedroom and fired up her laptop. She wanted to send Mitch the NDA immediately, so they could square that away and get started.
There was always the possibility he’d balk at the price. But he’d made a point of telling her he could afford her rates, so she doubted he’d say anything. He might cut back the hours he wanted her over there. That would be telling.
She didn’t care. She was happy to work with him however he wanted to handle it.
She pulled up the NDA paperwork, signed her part of it, then saved the document with his name attached. She hit Compose on her email program and realized she didn’t have his address. Not surprising that she’d forgotten to ask for it. She’d been a little flustered that he’d wanted to hire her.
It had just come as such a shock. As had the change in his attitude toward her. Was it really all because she’d helped him with his book?
If so, that was interesting to her. For a man so deeply lost in the depths of his grief, being able to write must feel like a lifeline of sorts.
Maybe it was because writing allowed him time away from his grief. It was never really gone, Harper understood that, but being in the world of Charlie Nightingale gave him a valid way to escape.
While he was writing, he was allowed to put his grief away. It would always be there when he was done. But writing must feel like such a relief.
Not writing had probably just compounded his grief. Making him hyperaware of just how much the loss of his wife was affecting him.
No wonder he’d been miserable and moody and cranky about everything. That was no way to live.
And while he might only want Harper’s help with the writing, she really hoped she could do something to alleviate his grief. There were a few techniques she knew of that could be useful for him. If he was willing.
He might not be. He might shut her down immediately when it came to the subject of dealing with his pain. But Harper would approach slowly and with compassion. She’d come at it from the point of view that dealing with his grief would give his mind and soul relief, which would pay off in the writing.
That might make it more acceptable for him.
She texted Joyce. I need Mitch’s email address and I don’t want to bother him. Do you have it?
Joyce replied right away with the email then followed it with a note. I’m well pleased you’re going to be around more. You’re good for him. Just don’t tell Himself I said that. She included a smiley face and another face laughing so hard tears came from the eyes.
Harper chuckled. Joyce was really something.
She set the phone aside and finished sending Mitch the email, then added his address to her contacts. She picked up her phone again, opened the calculator app, and did some fast math. If Mitch wanted her five hours a week minimum, that was going to be a pretty tidy sum. Enough that she could easily live on it. At least here, where there was no mortgage or rent, and Arlington had provided her with an account to cover the basic expenses for several years.
Of course, she wasn’t going to live here. Her life was in California. Her clients, except for Mitch, were there, too.
But it was fun to think about. This place was great. It was so peaceful. And that backyard was perfect for Archie. He’d even made a friend.
She leaned back on the pillows and sighed. Hopefully, Mitch would be okay continuing things via video conferencing when she went back.
Her phone buzzed. She checked the screen. Prisha was calling. Harper answered. “Hi, there. How are you?”
“I am fine. But I am a little worried.”
Harper’s forehead wrinkled. “Why? What’s going on?”
“I was talking to Suzanne at Pilates class this morning and she asked if I’d been spending time with you. I told her I hadn’t seen you since the day at the beach, not that it’s any of her business. She told me that was good, because…” Prisha exhaled an unhappy sigh.
“Because why?” Harper was genuinely curious.
“She said you weren’t what you seemed, and I should steer clear. Listen, I don’t know what Suzanne means exactly, but I don’t think that of you at all. I think you’re lovely. But Suzanne likes to stir the pot, if you know what I mean. Anything that puts her at the center of attention.”
A chill went through Harper, making her shudder. But she didn’t let on that Suzanne’s words meant anything. “I got that about her. She struck me as that kind of person when I met her at your house. Sad, really.”
“I agree. But that’s who she is.”
Harper swallowed. “Did she say anything else?”
“Just that sooner or later, all would be revealed.”
Harper barely stifled a gasp. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“I don’t know, but I told her not to say such things to me anymore. I don’t like gossip and idle chatter. Especially not about one of my friends.”
There had been gossip aplenty at the book club, but Harper appreciated Prisha standing up for her. And for considering her a friend. “Thank you. Neither do I. I’m sure she’s just trying to make herself sound important.” Harper wasn’t sure of that at all, but she didn’t want Prisha to know how upset she was. That would only require more explanation.
“Yes, that’s probably it. Suzanne likes to be the center of attention. I just thought I should tell you all the same.”
“That was kind of you for thinking of me. Maybe I should come to the next Pilates class and have a chat with Suzanne myself.”
“You’re welcome to come, you and your sister both, but please don’t tell her I said anything.”
“You have my word. Not a peep. Thanks for calling. Have a good afternoon.”
“You, too, Harper. See you on the beach.”
“You bet. Bye.” Harper hung up but held onto her phone as the fear of being outed returned. The chill she’d felt earlier had settled into her stomach, turning it sour. What was Suzanne up to? Was it really nothing?
Harper had a sinking feeling it wasn’t nothing. That it might very well be something. Something big. And awful. After all, Suzanne’s husband was the president of the American Broadcasting Network. There was no way she wasn’t connected.
The sick feeling got worse.
Harper looked at the notifications bar at the top of her phone screen. There were quite a few there, waiting for her inspection. Did any of them have to do with her? Had social media picked up the story of Ford Keating’s mysterious girlfriend again?
Had they ever dropped it?
She’d been purposefully avoiding being online because not knowing was almost as good as everything being all right. For all she knew, her world was crashing down around her, and she had no idea.
But hiding her head in the sand and ignoring what might be happening was easier. She closed her eyes and put her hand flat on her stomach, willing the awfulness to go away. She couldn’t just sit here. She had to do something. Had to occupy herself. If Archie was here, she’d have taken him for a walk.
Maybe she’d go for a swim. No, scratch that. She’d swim laps until she wore herself out. That should do it. Exercise released endorphins and that was what she needed. A boost of positivity. It was silly, really, that she had that whole, big, beautiful pool and she hadn’t been in it once. She dug out her other bikini, the one she hadn’t worn yet, a simple cobalt blue number with a racerback top and boy-short bottoms. Perfect for working out.
She changed fast, the need to get into the pool as quickly as possible burning through her. Like something might happen to stop her.
Then the doorbell rang. She rolled her eyes. Now? Seriously? Maybe it was just Frankie. Harper might have locked the door behind her when she’d come in. She couldn’t remember. She put on some flipflops and went downstairs to answer the door.
“Frankie, didn’t you take—You’re not Frankie.” She stared at the young man in front of her. He held a wicker basket full of what looked like cookies, except some were bone-shaped. The whole thing was wrapped in cellophane and tied with blue ribbon printed with paws.
“No, ma’am,” the young man said. “I’m Zane. I’m from The Barkery and this is for you.” He handed the basket over. A small envelope with her name on it was taped to the back. “Have a nice day.”
He turned to go. “Thanks,” Harper called after him. Should she have given him a tip? He didn’t wait for one.
She closed the door, making sure to leave it unlocked for Frankie, and took the basket into the rec room so she could set it on the bar counter in there. She pulled off the envelope and opened it. Inside was a note.
Thank you for the help with the book. Means a lot. All the best, Mitch
She smiled and looked into the basket. The cookies were all dog treats. Mitch’s way of making up for yelling about Archie? Maybe. Either way, it was a lovely gesture. She took the basket upstairs. Archie had a big surprise waiting for him whenever he got home.
She took her phone and a towel to the pool, checking one more time before she got in the water to see if Frankie was on her way back. Nothing yet.
Harper tested the water with her foot. It felt nice. She stood at the edge, took a breath, and dove in.