Harper sat back on the couch, smiling so much her mouth almost hurt. This was going to be great. Not only had she fulfilled her obligation to the planning committee in record time, but she’d also have a chance to do something she loved—giving makeovers. She’d already made over Riley for her first date with Hayden, and Anita when she helped cater her party. Now she would make Rusty look so good every woman in the room would bid on him... with the exception of her. No time and no money. And the idea of bidding on Rusty was absurd. She didn’t date her clients, not even for charity.
“Harper? You still there?”
“Yes.”
“I hope I’m doin’ the right thing.”
She smiled again. “You are, Rusty. I promise, you are.”
***
Madge sat on her couch and stared at her phone, willing Harper to call her. It had been three hours since she’d talked to her, and she should have known better than to expect her to follow through. She got the message loud and clear: she was no longer part of her daughter’s life.
She looked around the pristine living room at the cold white-and-gray décor. Don was a minimalist, and therefore Madge had been, too, with the exception of their vacation house on Lake Hamilton. Don had been so busy with work—andotherthings, she now knew—that he hadn’t been available to give his input on the interior design. She didn’t go wild with color, but she’d made sure that home was cozy and inviting, with a mix of textures, warm colors, and plenty of natural materials like wood and granite. After the house was finished, she’d always felt more at home there than here. But Don’s work always took precedence before any leisure, and she hadn’t wanted to spend weekends alone at what was supposed to be a family getaway.
Her heart squeezed in her chest, but she ignored the pain and reached for her phone. Just as she was about to set the device to Do Not Disturb, her landline rang. She jumped, the ring unfamiliar to her. Years ago Don had insisted on keeping the landline in case of emergency, and she rarely received calls from that number. She should ignore it, figuring the call was spam. But for some reason she answered. Out of boredom, or loneliness? Probably both.
“Hello?” she said.
“Is this Madge Wilson?”
She paused at the slick-sounding male voice speaking in her ear. Likely an insurance or warranty salesman, even though it was past nine on a Saturday night. Those cold callers didn’t respect boundaries.
“If it is, I’m looking for Harper,” he said, the words coming out in a rush.
She stilled. “Who is this?”
“My name is Jack Bell. I’m a . . . friend of Harper’s.”
Madge didn’t recognize his name right away. Then again, other than Riley, Anita, and Olivia, she didn’t know Harper’s friends. Wait. Jack Bell... “Did you and Harper used to date?”
“Yes,” he said, sounding relieved. “She, um, told you about me, then?”
“Once,” Madge said, realizing that she hadn’t heard Harper mention him after that initial time. Was that two years ago? Three? She couldn’t remember. Not only had Harper mentioned Jack that day, but Don had called Madge right before lunch and said he’d be gone for an extra five days after being gone for two weeks already. She’d been so angry with him for not coming home she was surprised she remembered anything Harper had said.
“I’ve been trying to reach her, but she’s not returning my calls.”
“How did you find me?” she said.
“Harper talked about you when we were dating. Madge isn’t all that common a name.” He paused. “You’re listed in the white pages on the internet.”
She sat up straight. “If my daughter isn’t returning your calls, I’m sure there’s good reason. And I don’t appreciate you looking up my information and calling me late on a Saturday night.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, his tone urgent. “I wouldn’t do this if it wasn’t important. Very important. I tried calling her office, but I didn’t get through. I don’t want to show up there unannounced. She’d probably throw me out. She’d have good reason to.”
Madge frowned. What had gone on between these two? Her protective instincts kicked in. “Don’t call this number again.” She unplugged the phone, then grabbed her cell and quickly dialed Harper’s number. It went straight to voice mail. No surprise there. “Harper, call me as soon as you get this message.” She clicked off the phone. Then her finger hovered over the screen. Should she call Don? She shook her head and shut down the cell in case Jack had somehow found this number too. She was used to handling things alone. As soon as she spoke with Harper, she’d tell her about Jack. But Don didn’t need to know. He didn’tdeserveto know.
She stared at the phone again, second-guessing herself. But it didn’t last long. She tossed her cell on the acrylic table. Don had never been interested in being a husband, or a parent, before. It was too late for him to start now.
Chapter9
“Well, lookee there, if it ain’t the bachelor of the year!”
Rusty rolled his eyes at Senior, then poured himself a bowl of cornflakes. He’d known he would regret telling his grandfather about agreeing to the ALS bachelor auction, and sure enough, he did. When Senior had arrived home Saturday night, it was past eleven, and he’d been so tired he’d gone straight to bed. On Sunday they had gone to church, and Rusty was a little disappointed not to see Harper there. She always sat on the opposite side of the sanctuary with her friends and their spouses. Funny how everyone at church had their unofficial official seats. Even Senior sat in the same spot he always had, in the back next to Jasper, while Rusty sat in his usual spot on the left side, sixth pew back next to Percy and Hank.
On the way home, Senior had asked about the house hunting. Rusty had filled him in, then let it slip about Harper’s request. Big mistake.
“For the last time, it’s just an auction. No ‘bachelor ofthe year’ stuff.” He added skim milk to the bowl, said a quick prayer of thanks for his breakfast, then proceeded to eat.
