Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
“ I understand,” Harper said. She really did. Frankie had been burned by Sharlene. Her hopes and expectations for that meeting had not been realized. “But I’m going to meet him. I know we said we wouldn’t meet him alone, but I need to do this. I can’t fully explain that, but I do.”
“I get it,” Frankie said. “I felt that way about Shar. Like I owed it to my kids.” She gave Willa a quick smile. “I know he’s not Sharlene, but even so.” She sighed. “I’ll read the email, okay?”
“That’s all I ask,” Harper said. “You go do that while I take Archie out and then we can make breakfast.”
Willa got out of her seat and picked up her coffee. She didn’t look totally awake. “I’m going to shower, but I’ll be back to help with breakfast.”
Harper took a few more gulps of her coffee, emptying the cup to the halfway point, then she grabbed Archie’s leash. She didn’t have shoes on, though. She left the leash on the counter and went to the bedroom, sticking her bare feet into a pair of sneakers.
It wasn’t a day for flipflops, not with that rain. And Archie would need a good wipe down when he came in. As a matter of fact, he could probably use a bath. He’d been in river water yesterday and, frankly, he was a little stinky. Being stuck in the house with a smelly dog was no one’s idea of a good way to spend the day.
The bathroom downstairs would be the perfect way to take care of that.
She gave Archie a look, unable to hide her smile. “You have no idea what you’re in for, baby dog. Come on. Let’s get this done.”
She attached his leash and took him downstairs, going out the back. She did her best to stay under the covered area and out of the rain. Archie had no choice but to get wet.
And, naturally, today he found three million things that needed sniffing. He stood there, inhaling whatever delicious scents the backyard had to offer, acting like he didn’t even notice the rain.
He was getting a bath, so it didn’t really matter, but still. She had to laugh. Dogs were so funny.
He tracked in some grass with his wet footprints, adding to her list of things to do for the day. Mopping the floor hadn’t been one of them, but it was now. She’d have to figure out that steam mop.
She got him into the downstairs bathroom with her, then looked around for towels and shampoo. There was a small container of baby shampoo. That would work. And the towels looked fairly nice, but they were all she had.
They were hers now, inherited with the house, so if she wanted to use nice towels to dry her dog off after a bath, no one could say a thing.
She unbuckled his collar and got him into the tub. He was pretty good about baths, but even so, she knew she’d end up getting wet, too.
“Guess I’ll be showering after this, huh?” She took the showerhead down, thankful it was the handheld, detachable kind, and started the water, making sure it wasn’t too hot.
She sprayed him down, then drizzled a little shampoo onto him, and gave him a good scrubbing. He was covered in foam and apparently thought it was a party, because he kept trying to lick her.
She snorted. “Archie, quit it! You’re getting us both all soapy.”
He responded to that by shaking and covering the entire bathroom with flecks of foam.
By the time she rinsed him off, she was as wet as he was. “You’re a stinker. But at least you’re a clean stinker.”
She toweled him as dry as possible, then opened the bathroom door to set him free. She heard him head upstairs, his nails clicking on the steps. She used the damp towels to wipe up the mess he’d left behind as much as possible.
She’d be cleaning the bathroom, too.
Finally, she gathered up the towels, Archie’s leash and collar, and went upstairs.
Archie was sprawled on the couch on his blanket, snuffling around like he always did after a bath.
Willa was laughing at him. “Your dog is so silly.”
“He is silly, but he also smells a lot better, too.”
“That he does,” Willa said. “I wasn’t going to say anything but he was getting a little ripe.”
“I’m aware. River water and labradoodle is not a great aromatic combination, apparently.”
Frankie came out of the office. “I read Buck’s letter. Twice. I’ll go meet him with you.”
“You will? That’s great,” Harper said. “Thank you.”
Willa looked at them both. “Can I go? Please. I really want to meet him. I found him, you know. If not for me, you wouldn’t even know he was alive.”
Frankie paused as if considering it. “You’re an adult. If you want to meet him, you can go.”
“Yes!” Willa pumped her fist in the air. “I can’t wait. When is it going to happen?"
“No idea, yet. I’m sure we’ll figure it out soon, though.” Frankie’s curious gaze swept Harper from head to toe. “What happened to you?”
“I gave Archie a bath. And now I need one.”
Frankie laughed. “Go shower. Willa and I can make breakfast.”
“Thanks. I’m good with anything.”
“I’ll remind you that you said that.”
“When I come back out, I’ll bring my laptop and we’ll respond to Buck, okay?”
Frankie nodded, turning to the fridge. “Sounds good.”
With a smile, Harper went to shower. She was thrilled that Frankie had agreed to meet Buck. She showered quickly, washing her hair, then dressing in clothes befitting the day. Leggings and a tank top with a thin wrap sweater she left untied. Comfy clothes perfect for working and lounging.
Laptop in her hands, she went out to find Willa setting the table and Frankie plating food. She put her laptop on the counter. “Wow, you two work fast. What’s for breakfast?”
“Scrambled eggs with goat cheese, fresh fruit, and turkey sausage.”
“That sounds amazing,” Harper said. “I should let you two make breakfast all the time.”
Willa laughed. “Mom did most of the work. I cut up the fruit.”
Harper went to refill her coffee cup. “Hey, you could have fed me cereal, and I wouldn’t have complained.”
“Now you tell us,” Frankie said. She carried the pan of scrambled eggs to the table.
Harper grabbed the bowl of fruit, along with her coffee, and followed Frankie. The dish of sausages was already there. They all sat and tucked in.
The food was great. Harper took a second helping of fruit. “How soon are you willing to go meet Buck? He’s off today and tomorrow.”
Frankie glanced at her, brow furrowed. “You want to go that soon?”
Harper shrugged. “The timing works, since he’s off. And the sooner we meet him, the sooner we know if there’s a relationship there worth pursuing.”
Willa swallowed her last strawberry half. “Why not go today? He’s only two hours away, right?”
Frankie shook her head. “I have too much work to do today. Emails to answer. Pricing stuff. Plus, we haven’t talked to him about it.”
“I guarantee he’ll be okay with us coming whenever. Let’s do it tomorrow, then,” Harper countered.
“I’m in,” Willa said. “Come on, Mom. Please.”
Frankie looked like she knew when she was beat. “Okay, fine. Tomorrow. If Buck agrees.”
Harper smiled. “I’ll write the email as soon as we’re finished here.”