“Yeah, I am. It’s been a bit rough, and I’m all over the place, but things are looking better, crazy stalker aside.”
“You make sure you have one of Brad’s boys with youevery timeyou go somewhere,” he orders firmly. I can hear Melinda muttering, but I can’t quite make out the words. I want to speak to her one on one, but I have things I need to tell them both first.
“The horses were all delivered safely, and I saw Max,” I tell them.
“Of course they were. I never had any doubt,” Chuck replies, but then I hear a commotion. It sounds like they're fighting over the phone, but Melinda must have won, as per usual, since it’s her voice that speaks next.
“How was Max? Did she seem funny to you? I spoke to her last night, and she just seemed a little off.”
“She was fine when I saw her last. Making new friends.” I manage to keep my voice even because I don't want to tell them what kind of friends or who. That's none of my business, nor do I know for sure.
“Hmm.” Melinda doesn't sound too sure, but she doesn't push the point.Mental note: call Max once we get to Hawaii.
“Look, I just wanted to reassure you I’m okay. I really am sorry I didn't call you sooner. I promise I will do better.”
“We wanted to come out and visit, but we’re short staffed, and I can’t leave at the moment,” Chuck tells me, sounding disgruntled.
Short staffed? “What do you mean, short staffed? Didn't Luke come back?” Where could he have gotten to?
“No, he’s back, but the same day he came back, Peter quit. No reason given, just up and left. So with no you or Max and only Luke, who, let’s face it, isn't that much help, we’re flat out.” A small prick of guilt stabs at me, but I quickly shake it off. I know that's not why he’s telling me.
“Well, Josh is coming with all of the horses from here, and I’m sure he won't mind helping. In fact, I think he’ll get a kick out of it.”
“Yes, thank god for that,” Chuck replies, sounding really tired. They’ve always been hands on owners instead of hiring people to do everything. But it’s more than a one man job, and without Max and I there to pick up Luke’s slack, I guess it’s becoming too much.
We finish the phone call, Melinda and Chuck telling me they love me and me them. I hang up, not a hundred percent happy, but I wasn't willing to talk to Melinda about the guys with Chuck standing right there. With all the stalker business, I don’t think Chuck would’ve believed that I had “girl stuff” to talk to just Melinda about. Normally, he’s pretty easy going, but I can tell that he was super rattled.
Just as I’m hanging up, Dad appears from his office. The guys are nowhere to be seen, so I guess they must have finished talking to him about whatever.
“Hey, honey, do you mind if I come out to the barn with you to check over Prada and Coco? What kind of name is Coco for a colt? He should be called Givenchy or Saint Laurent if she wants to go with fashion names. Both of those arestrongnames. I mean, she could have called him Calvin. Anything would be better thanCoco.” His grumbling continues as we head out across the patio and past the pool toward the stables, but I just listen in with amusement. Poor Dad, he's had a trying day already on top of all the other stress.
He falls silent, but then another heavy sigh leaves his mouth before he pulls me to a stop. “I cannot believe I am about to have this conversation with you, and forgive me if I am overstepping any boundaries....” He chews on his lip again, and my pulse speeds up.Is this where he’s going to tell me that he’d like me to leave?
“Mom and Dad raised me to be very open about sex and relationships; nothing was ever hidden in this house,” he starts, screwing up his nose in long-remembered disgust. After a pause, he mutters, “Unfortunately.” I don’t hide my snort in response, and he only starts to look more pained.
“And I passed that on to my children. You know about Oliver and Holden now, but I want to assure you none of us made them give that up; that was a decision Holden made, and only he could come to the realization that it didn't matter to us. It’s such a shame that it took so long, but I'm happy they’re working on it now. Unluckily for me, that wasn’t the only thing they wanted to talk to me about. Apparently, my sons are really putting this old man to the test today.”
He runs a hand through his hair, his eyes searching the landscape behind me. “They all seem to be interested in you too and have informed me that they intend to pursue you. I want you to know that they have my blessing, but that’s only if it’s what you want.” He grabs both my hands, his eyes imploring me to understand. “If you don’t, I can tell them to leave you alone, that a friendship is all they will ever have with you. You are my priority at the moment, and they can just get over it. My sons are great men when they don’t sabotage themselves, but I don’t think I could ever deny that you’d have your hands full. They might not be easy men to love, but they’re worth the effort. You are too, no matter who you are and aren’t interested in dating.”
Holy shit, this man! A sob leaves my mouth, and I throw myself into his arms, ignoring the embarrassment I should be feeling at talking about a multi-partner relationship with my dad.
“Harlow, are you okay? Did I mess something up?” He hugs me, but it’s like he’s at a loss for words. “Does this mean I need to kill them already?” My body is shaking with emotion, and I pull away, wiping my hands over my face and shaking my head.
“No, Dad. This is about the fact that I love you and wish I had grown up with you because you are everything a girl could want in a father.”
He looks stunned for a moment, then a grin splits his face before he pulls me back in for another hug. “God, I wish the same thing.”
“As for your sons....” I can’t look him in the eye, so I focus on a spot on his chest. “I’m okay with whatever they’re planning, but I will let you know if I change my mind. Are you sure you’re okay with it?” This time, my eyes do meet his. I want to see for sure that he is. While I’m his priority at the moment, he’s also mine. I want a real relationship with my dad, and if the cost of having that chance is to look at the Summers men as only my brothers, I’ll do it. I might need to buy stock in Energizer, but I’ll do it if that’s what he needs.
“Harlow, I always knew that you guys weren’t going to be brothers and sister, and if they decide to go the route of dating one woman, which is something I still need to wrap my head around, then I am thrilled that they picked you.”
I can’t see any insincerity in his expression, so I accept it at face value.
“Hey, what's taking so long?” Jacinta calls, and when we turn, she’s waving her hand out of the stables. “Come on, you need to leave shortly. Kai will freak out if you’re not ready. The dude’s usually pretty laid back, but he’sreallyexcited about this trip.”
She disappears, and Dad and I exchange an amused glance as he continues on to the stables.
“I didn't get a chance to tell you how impressed I was last night with your quick thinking. Without you, Coco wouldn't have made it.” He grumbles the word Coco again, and I snort.
