Chapter 54
Chapter Fifty-Four
H arper finished the Zoom call with her client, then finalized the list of available dogs for adoption at the local rescues and sent it to Mitch. She’d been meaning to do that, but reading Kyle’s book had taken priority.
With the list sent, she went out to get a drink. All that talking had made her mouth dry. She should have taken a drink in with her. Archie trotted along with her, probably hoping it was time for dinner. “Not quite yet, buddy.”
Willa was sitting at the kitchen counter looking very mopey. Harper tried to make eye contact, but Willa was staring at her phone. Harper took a glass down from the cabinet. “What’s wrong? You look miserable.”
“I’m just…I don’t know.” Willa’s sigh was full of angst. “Would you be okay with me staying here?”
Harper filled the glass with ice, then water from the fridge. “I don’t understand the question. You’re staying here now and obviously I’m okay with it.”
“I meant in a more permanent way.”
Harper leaned against the counter and studied her niece. What was going on? Archie lay down in front of her. “You want to explain a little more?”
“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. And I’ve made some decisions. I’m going to leave school and get a job now. I’ll still finish my doctorate, but I’m done with being a full-time student.”
“That is quite the decision. What brought all this on?”
“You and Mom are making big changes in your lives. And I talked to Kyle a lot last night. He said some things that really made sense to me. About taking chances and not being afraid to live your life.”
Harper tried to tamp down her amusement at the profound statements of youth. “He’s also raising a child on his own and living in his father’s house.”
“But that was his decision. And look how well it’s turned out.”
“Actually, his girlfriend kicked him out and it was Mitch’s decision to let him stay.” Not that Mitch would have turned his son away, but the truth mattered.
“Yeah, but still. Kyle made the decision to come home.”
Harper set her glass on the counter next to her. She’d had a feeling something was going on with those two last night. Apparently, she’d been right. “What’s really going on? What have you done?”
Willa picked at her cuticle, then lifted her chin and looked at Harper again. “I accepted a teaching job at a local middle school. I start at the beginning of the new school year. Actually, teacher orientation is in two weeks. Obviously, I’d really like to be able to stay here. Please. I was sort of depending on it.”
Harper’s brows rose, but she said nothing. Now she knew where Willa had gone on her errand. The interview. It had to be. Archie let out a little sigh and laid his head down on his paws, watching them.
Willa swallowed, apparently taking Harper’s silence as disapproval. “I’ll pay my share of things. I’m not asking to stay for free. But wouldn’t it be great? All three of us here together, I mean? All that family time. We’ll be able to get to know Buck. I should be able to get to know my grandfather.”
Harper nodded, still thinking. “How much of this has to do with Kyle?”
Willa seemed surprised by that. “Nothing. This is all me. He gave me a lot to think about, that’s all. He didn’t encourage me to do anything.”
“You’re still going to finish your doctorate?”
“I swear I am. I can do it online, no problem.”
Easier said than done, Harper imagined. “It’s going to be a lot of work when you’re also teaching.”
“I know, but I can do it.”
“What does your mom think of all of this? I’m assuming you’ve told her?”
“I did.” Willa glanced at her fingernails again. “I don’t think she’s very happy about it.”
“I bet she isn’t.”
“Well, I don’t know why. I thought she loved me.”
Harper rolled her eyes. “If you’re going to make adult decisions, you have to act like an adult and not resort to childish accusations. Saying that is petty and unfair. You know your mother loves you. But you also need to realize she’s about to start a new chapter in her life. In a new place, with a new career opportunity, with a new guy.”
“And what? There’s no room for me?”
“There will always be room for you and your brother in her life. Again, that’s a silly thing to say. Can’t you see how she was thinking about going in this new direction as a woman and not necessarily as a mom? She’s an amazing mother. You know that. But having you here means she’ll be worrying about you more than she normally would be. Especially with you making all these changes.”
Willa lifted her thumb to her mouth and chewed on the edge.
Harper exhaled. “I guess what I’m saying is your mom was about to be a little selfish, in a good way, and having you here makes that less possible. She loves you. So do I. But you get what I’m saying, don’t you? Your mom has spent most of her adult life caring for you and your brother and your dad. She’s always shouldered incredible burdens. Financial and otherwise. And now…” Harper shrugged. “Things were going to be different.”
“They still will be,” Willa argued.
“Yes. But not quite as different. She’s never going to stop being your mom. She’s never going to stop worrying about you.”
Willa slumped in her chair. “And that’s what she’s going to do with me here.”
“To some extent, yes. It’s built into her. Do you get that?”
“Yeah.” Willa nodded, looking dejected. “I already took the job and told my school I wouldn’t be coming back. I can’t undo that. I’m kind of stuck.”
“You can stay, don’t worry about that. And trust me, your mom will love having you here. But she has to come to terms with it and figure out how that will impact her new choices.”
“It won’t.”
“Tell her that. And you need to acknowledge that you made some hasty decisions without talking to her first. That’s probably bothering her, too.”
“I know it is. I talked to her earlier.”
Harper made a face. “I thought she was at Lucas’s.”
“She came back to get a swimsuit.” Willa stared at the ceiling for a second. “I messed up. I’m sorry.”
“It’s not me you need to apologize to.”
“I know. But you’re cool with me staying?”
Harper nodded. “Yep. But you will be paying your share.”
“I know. I’m good with that. I don’t expect to live here for free.”
Harper sipped her water, then set the glass down again. “What’s the deal with you and Kyle? Just friends?”
Willa nodded quickly. “Just friends. He just got out of a relationship, and he’s got Ruthie to worry about.” She held her hands up. “I swear.”
“I’m not telling you what to do or who to do it with, but if things between you become more than just friends, it could get weird. Fast. Especially living next door to him. You know that, right?”
A little smirk crossed Willa’s face. “You mean because you’re dating his dad?”
Harper stared back, unamused, and crossed her arms. “Mitch and I aren’t dating. In fact, we aren’t anything but really good friends who are mutually attracted to one another and who also happen to work together. We’re taking things very slowly. Nothing about our relationship is casual. His main goals are dealing with the loss of his wife and helping Kyle get back on his feet. Not me. And I’m good with that.”
Willa seemed suitably chastised, which had been Harper’s purpose. She did not need Mitch being hurt by something Willa or Kyle might drop into conversation, even in a kidding manner. For all his progress, Mitch still carried a lot of grief.
She needed Willa to be mindful of that, but Willa was picking at her nails again.
Willa nodded. “I get it. I’m sorry.”
“I don’t mean to come down hard on you, I really don’t. But Mitch isn’t over his wife’s death. Kissing me was a huge move. Huge. I worry that one wrong step and he’ll lose all the progress he’s made. I’d much rather him be a functioning human being than my boyfriend. I’m fine with us just having a professional relationship.” That wasn’t entirely true, but it was for the sake of this conversation. “Do you know what I mean?”
“Yeah,” Willa said. “I didn’t mean to make a joke of it, but I think it’s sweet that you two have connected on this deeper level. You don’t have to worry about me and Kyle. I like him, but just as a friend. He’s a nice guy, but he really is focused on Ruthie. As he should be.”
“Agreed,” Harper said.
Willa shot Harper a quick smile. “I didn’t mean to make such a hasty decision about school, either. I know it was kind of dumb, but I haven’t loved school in a while. I guess I just got caught up in what you and Mom were doing and…” She shook her head. “I owe Mom an apology. I’ll talk to her when she gets back from Lucas’s.”
“Or you could just text her you’re sorry and that you’ll talk later. That would probably go a long way.”
“You’re right. Again.” Willa pulled her phone out. “Thanks for being understanding and letting me stay here.”
“You’re welcome. Your mom’s most likely moving into the guest house anyway, so it’ll be just you, me, and Archie in the main house.”
“I’ll help with him. I love Archie. In fact, I’ll take him out right now if you want me to.”
Archie stood up and wagged his tail.
Harper smiled. “You said his name and the word out loud so you pretty much have to now. You know where the leash is.”
Willa got off her seat and gave Harper a big hug. “Thank you. I love you. You’re the best aunt ever.”
Harper hugged Willa back. “I’ll remind you of that when we need groceries.”
Laughing, Willa grabbed Archie’s leash and took him outside.
Harper carried her water into the bedroom. She was due at Mitch’s shortly and she had yet to shower. The man was paying her good money. And he might want to kiss her again.
Showering seemed like the least she could do.