Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
H arper woke up in a dark living room, covered with the throw from the back of the couch. Archie snored softly from his spot a few cushions away. She sat up a little, blinking as she tried to remember how she’d gotten here.
She and Willa had been watching an old movie.
She must have fallen asleep, and Willa had covered her with the throw, then gone to bed. Harper sat up all the way, rolling her head from side to side, trying to work out the crick from sleeping on the firm throw pillow.
“Archie,” she whispered as she rubbed the back of her neck. She wasn’t sure why she was whispering. Wasn’t like Frankie or Willa could hear her upstairs.
Archie’s ears twitched. He raised his head ever so slightly, looked at her, then dropped his head back down and returned to snoring.
Okay, good. He didn’t have to go out, otherwise, he’d have gotten up. Maybe Willa had taken him before she’d gone upstairs. That was something Willa would have done. She was so good to Archie.
Harper yawned and tossed the throw onto the back of the couch. She needed her bed. Archie could stay here if he wanted, although she figured he’d migrate to his own spot and Mr. Brown as soon as he realized she was gone.
She stood and stretched. The time on the microwave showed nearly two a.m. Maybe she’d sleep in tomorrow. She padded toward the bedroom, only to hear Archie stir, then the click of his nails behind her.
She stopped at the door, smiling at him. “Come on, baby dog. Mr. Brown probably can’t sleep without you.”
He went right in, curling up on his soft bed with a big sigh.
She knew the feeling. She went into the bathroom to pee and brush her teeth. She changed into a night shirt and was about to get into bed when she realized she’d left her phone on the coffee table. Not a big deal, except it needed to charge. She went back out, grabbed it, then returned, plugging it in and leaving it on the nightstand.
She got under the covers, sinking into the comfortable mattress with a deep exhale. She lay there, tired, but also a little awake from being up. Sleep would come eventually, but her mind wandered.
Frankie was the first thing she thought about. Harper ached for her sister and her financial situation. Frankie was one of the best people she knew. Frankie deserved good things in her life. Great things. She deserved Lucas.
Her ex, Tom, had been a bad thing. Outside of Jason and Willa, he’d given Frankie nothing but heartache and trouble. And bills.
How much did Frankie owe, Harper wondered. Would Frankie let Harper help pay it off? Probably not. Frankie was stubborn about things like that. She wanted to take care of herself, which Harper understood.
But if she couldn’t help her sister, what was the point of even being related? It was silly for Frankie not to let Harper help. She didn’t have tons of money saved up, but she had some. Enough to spare for family. She’d happily give Frankie the money if it meant less stress and worry for her sister.
Harper let out a frustrated breath and tried to go back to sleep, but it didn’t feel like it was coming anytime soon. Maybe she’d read.
She picked up her phone instead, deciding to check her email. A couple from clients, which she’d deal with in the morning, since none of them seemed urgent.
More importantly, there was a response from Buck. She smiled as she opened it up and read.
Dear Harper and Frankie,
I’m so sorry about the late response. I was out on a charter and lost my phone overboard. It happens more than you’d think, sadly. Although not usually to me. I’m answering this from my computer, which is old and slow and not something I use very often.
I was so glad to hear back from the two of you. I keep pinching myself to make sure this is real. Glenda and I would love to meet you both someday. If that’s something you’d be interested in. Glenda understands if you don’t want her to come. She won’t be hurt if you don’t want her there.
We’re happy to do things in whatever way works for you two.
I’m off for the next two days so I’ll be able to answer quicker. Going to get a new phone tomorrow first thing. I don’t look forward to that. Phones are so complicated these days. I guess that makes me sound like an old man. But then, that’s what I am.
I have some regrets in life, but I’ve come to terms with most of them. If there’s anything life has taught me it’s that you have to take responsibility for your actions. Not sure where I was going with that but meeting you two girls would mean so very much. I can’t really explain the emptiness I’ve had inside since you left my life. Sometimes, I feel real pain at the loss of you two dear souls. For all the years I missed out on. Those I regret.
I suppose that’s time creeping up on me. Don’t mind my words. The decision about whether or not to meet is all yours. As it should be.
With great affection,
Buck
Harper wanted to meet him more than she’d ever wanted to do anything. She checked the timestamp on the email. It had come in around eleven. Frankie probably hadn’t read it yet. Once she had, they could craft an answer together.
Harper set her phone aside. She had to talk Frankie into meeting Buck. She wanted them to go together. But if she couldn’t, she’d go by herself. She knew that wasn’t what they’d agreed on, but she was putting her foot down.
She wasn’t going to pass up this opportunity to find out the truth about their past. And to meet their biological father.
She closed her eyes and did her best to go back to sleep. Until she felt the familiar weight of Archie’s head on the mattress next to her.
She opened her eyes and looked at him. “ Now you have to go out?”
At the word “out,” his tail started wagging and he whimpered softly.
“Your timing needs some work, my furry friend.” With a sigh, she got up, stuck her feet in flipflops, and went to the kitchen to get his leash.
He followed her. She clipped it on and down the steps they went, then out through the rec room and into the backyard.
Thankfully, Archie didn’t do much sniffing, just found a spot and did what he needed to do.
She squinted at Mitch’s house. Unlike previous nights, the house was completely dark. She hoped that meant he was sleeping. One of them ought to be.
Clouds covered the moon, making it harder to see. Archie kicked his back feet through the grass, an indication that he was done.
“Come on. Back to bed.” As they headed into the house, distant thunder rumbled.
Were they in for rain? Wasn’t uncommon during the summer but there hadn’t been a rainy day since she’d arrived. They were probably due. No worries. A little summer shower was no big deal.
It would be a good day for Frankie to get work done and for Harper to give her clients some extra attention. Willa would find something to do.
Mitch probably wouldn’t mind one bit, either. Rainy days and writers seemed to go together.
She locked the door behind Archie. “Do you need your feet wiped?”
Archie just stared at her. She grabbed some paper towels and wiped his paws, just in case. They might be stuck in the house tomorrow, but she didn’t want to spend the day cleaning.