Chapter 38
Chapter Thirty-Eight
H arper walked Archie in the backyard, even though she knew Lucas would have taken him out numerous times. She just wanted to hang out with her dog. She’d missed him, which was silly. They’d only been gone for the day.
But Archie was a big part of her life.
So was her sister. Could Harper really walk away from this opportunity to share a house with Frankie?
It seemed like the perfect antidote to the separation life had dealt them. And now, with Buck being so close, they really could make him a part of their lives. If they lived here.
So what was holding her back? It wasn’t really her clients. Those that remained had all pretty much said they were fine with Zoom calls. And if they really needed her, she could always fly out.
Archie sniffed at a spot in the grass and sneezed, making her smile. “Silly boy, don’t sniff it if it makes you sneeze.”
Was there something about living in California that she’d miss? Not her housing situation, that was for sure. Her small apartment, which was part of a larger house, didn’t hold a candle to the gorgeous, spacious domicile behind her.
For Archie, moving here would be a huge win. Not just because of this space and this yard, but because Hideaway Bay had its own dog park. And he now had a buddy, Scout. He might have another one soon, if Mitch really adopted a dog. So Archie went in the pro column of her decision-making.
In the con column was the fact that moving here would probably be the end of signing new clients. Her people were stars and celebrities. Granted, she’d found Mitch, but he was a special case. She couldn’t see anyone else in the neighborhood hiring her.
Then again, Mitch really belonged in the pro column. Not only had he offered her more work than most of her clients, he’d offered her a job as part of his creative team. If this new movie happened. Big if. She knew that.
But the fact that he was interested in keeping her around for other projects was something. He valued her input. She loved that. Loved working with him. It felt bigger than the work she did with most of her clients.
A lot of that was just hand-holding and ego-stroking.
With Mitch, she was actually participating in the creative process. She wasn’t doing the writing, obviously, but she was contributing to the storylines. She’d made suggestions that he’d used. At least he said he had.
She squinted out at the water. He wouldn’t have just said that, would he? Mitch wasn’t the kind of guy to lie about a thing like that. More than once she’d given him an idea for the story and he’d shaken his head and said it wasn’t for him. He wasn’t shy about expressing his thoughts on what worked for him and what didn’t. She valued his ability to be so honest. She respected it. And him.
So why not stay? Why not?
She swallowed, knowing it was time to face the truth. Which brought her back to Mitch. She liked him. As more than just a client. She liked him as a person. As a handsome, genuine, eligible man.
She shouldn’t have those kinds of feelings about a client. It wasn’t ethical. Not only that, but Mitch was very clearly still in love with his late wife.
Harper walked closer to Archie, who was snuffling his way toward the property line between her house and Mitch’s.
She’d kept her feelings shoved down. It was the only way to handle them. Eventually, she figured they’d peter out. She hoped. There was no way she’d act on them.
But she’d had California to fall back on. The safety of her impending return meant she could mostly ignore her burgeoning feelings, because what was the point if she was leaving? That knowledge had made it easier, somehow.
Staying here would mean dealing with her emotions. That did not mean telling Mitch about them. That would ruin everything. But it did mean she’d have to figure out how to keep them bottled up.
She had no doubts that moving here would eventually result in him being her only client. The rest of them, without personal attention, would sooner or later drift away. Then what would she do? She’d be solely reliant on a man she harbored feelings for, a man who obviously was not available.
What if she slipped up and said something? What if, in a moment of weakness, she kissed him? She closed her eyes at the thought, both wonderful and horrible.
“Harper?”
She sucked in a breath and jumped like she’d been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. “What?”
Mitch laughed. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“I was just, um, hi.” She exhaled and smiled. Mitch had Ruthie over his shoulder. “You two getting some fresh air?”
He nodded. “That and I was curious to see what she’d think about Archie.”
“In case you get a dog?”
“You got it.”
Why did he have to be so handsome? And this new Mitch, the one who smiled and laughed and held babies? That wasn’t helping. “Good timing. Archie’s been at Lucas’s all day, so he’s pretty worn out from playing with Scout.”
“I totally forgot. You went to meet your biological dad today, didn’t you? How did that go?”
“It went pretty well, actually.”
“Excellent,” Mitch said. “Well enough to see him again?”
“Yeah, for sure. He’s a good man. Sincere. Warm. Well-meaning. The kind of guy you’d want as a friend. I like him a lot.”
“That’s good. I’m glad today went that way for you and your family.”
“Thanks.” She gently tugged the leash to get Archie’s attention. “Come here, baby dog. Come meet your newest neighbor, little baby Ruthie.”
Mitch turned Ruthie around, using his body to stabilize her as he crouched down “Look at the doggy, Ruthie. What do you think, huh?”
Ever curious, Archie came to investigate this strange, hairless creature. Harper kept a close eye on him, only because she thought he might lick Ruthie, and Ruthie might not like that too much.
Ruthie reached for Archie, wiggling her little fingers. Archie, who was up for pets from anyone, went closer. Ruthie managed to grab one of his ears. Archie licked her on the chin and she laughed and attempted to grab more of him.
“Careful, sweetheart,” Mitch said, holding her back “Easy with the doggy. Be gentle with him.”
“Don’t worry, Archie wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
“I’m more worried about Ruthie hurting him. She doesn’t have the best coordination yet.”
Archie licked Ruthie again, this time on the cheek, making her squeal with amusement.
Harper smiled. “I think she’s doing all right. Might need to wash her face after this.”
“It’s good for her. Builds antibodies.” After a few more seconds, he straightened up, ending Ruthie’s ability to make contact with Archie. Didn’t stop her from trying, though.
“She seems to like dogs. This one anyway.”
Mitch nodded. “Time to get her one of her own then.”
“I’ll email you some info tomorrow.”
“Sounds good. I take it you’re all coming over for the big Sunday roast?”
“We are. Nice of Joyce to put that on.”
He bounced Ruthie. “She and Beryl have been talking about nothing but.” He kissed Ruthie’s cheek. The one Archie hadn’t licked. “It’s nice to have all that going on in the house. I can’t believe I’m saying that, because avoiding people and life has been something of a part-time job these last few years, but it really is good.”
“I’m sure having Kyle back has been amazing.”
“It has.” He let out a contented sigh. “He’s written a book. He was always interested in writing. Wanted to be like his old man, once upon a time. I figured that was over with, but no. He actually wrote a book. I’m going to start reading it when I get back inside.”
“You think it’s any good?”
“No idea. He was a decent writer when he was in school. Essays and such. But writing a book is a different animal.”
“I can imagine.”
“Regardless of what I think of it, good or bad, I’d like you to read it, too. You’ll have a much purer take on it as a reader. And as someone who isn’t related to the author.”
“Sure. I’d be happy to.”
“Great. Well, I’d better get her in. Bedtime. For her.”
Harper smiled. “I figured. See you tomorrow.”
Mitch caught her gaze and held it, something seemingly unspoken in his eyes. He gave her a quick nod. “Tomorrow.” Then he carried Ruthie back to the house.
Harper stared after him. Had they just had a moment? No, it wasn’t a moment. After meeting her dad, Harper’s emotions were on the surface. Nothing out of the ordinary had just happened between her and Mitch.
She needed to chill out. This was a one-sided thing. All on her side.
She walked Archie back to the house. Living next to that man would be a real test of her fortitude. It would be great. But it also would be incredibly hard, unless she could get over this…crush, or whatever it was she was feeling.
Could she do it? She glanced back at his house. She honestly had no idea.