“I wouldn’t change anything,” Benjamin assured his old friend. “I enjoyed every minute at the festival.”
Mabel kissed his cheek. “Take it easy tonight. Doing cartwheels down the hallway is banned.”
Benjamin sent his friends an affectionate smile. “I’ll do my best to stay out of trouble.”
As Mabel and Allan were leaving, Owen touched her arm. “Is there anything I can do?”
“I think we’re okay for now, but thank you,” she said, her gratitude genuine. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without your help.”
“You’re welcome. If anything happens during the night, I’m only a phone call away.” He looked around the room and picked up a pen and a notebook she’d left on the coffee table. “Here’s my number. I’ll drive back to the park and pick up your bicycle. Did you use a padlock?”
“I did, but don’t worry. It’ll be fine until the morning.”
Owen didn’t look so sure. “It’s no trouble.”
Harper smiled. “Sapphire Bay isn’t Detroit. Nothing usually goes missing. If it does, someone will know where it’s gone.”
“Well, if you’re sure.” Owen walked across to Harper’s granddad. “It was good seeing you again, Mr. Nelson. I’m glad you’re okay.”
“So am I, son. When you see your dad, tell him to call me. I miss our poker nights with the boys.”
Owen smiled. “I’ll do that. Have a good night’s sleep.”
Harper walked with him to the front door. “I appreciated you being here.”
Owen sent her a warm smile. “I wouldn’t have been much of a friend if I’d let you bike here. Are you sure I can’t help you get your granddad into bed? It’s a big job and you aren’t as big as I am.”
Flexing her arm, Harper grinned. “In this instance, size doesn’t matter. I might only be five-foot-four, but I’m strong.” She was grateful Owen didn’t flex his own muscles. His biceps would have made hers look like peanuts.
Reaching out, he touched her arm. “You’ve got my number. If you need help at any time, give me a call. I’m not far away.”
“I will.” Harper leaned against the doorframe, watching Owen as he made his way back to his truck. The more time she spent with him, the more she saw just what an amazing person he was. But while her granddad needed her, spending more time with Owen wasn’t high on her list of priorities.
“Is everything all right, Harper?”
She closed the front door and walked into the living room. “Everything’s fine, Granddad.” With a relieved smile, she sat on the sofa. “Have I told you how much I love you?”
Benjamin nodded. “You can tell me as many times as you like. I love you too, Harper. Can you do something for me?”
“Of course, I can. What would you like?”
“Don’t tell your mom about today. She’ll worry for no reason.”
Harper frowned. “But Mom will want to know what’s happened.”
“She wants me to move into an assisted living apartment in Polson,” Benjamin said with a tremor in his voice. “I don’t want to live there. This is my home.”
Harper squeezed her granddad’s hand. “That’s only because she worries about you. But, with the caregivers Zac organized, and your friends coming to visit, there aren’t many times when you’re on your own.” The gleam in her granddad’s eyes dimmed. He wasn’t comforted by what she’d said. “If it makes you feel better, I won’t say anything.”
Benjamin breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you. I’d be lost if I didn’t live in Sapphire Bay.”
“I know.” Harper was caught in the middle of an emotional tightrope. She understood her mom’s concern, but she could also see why it wouldn’t be good for her granddad. Regardless of the friends he could make in Polson, the activities he could be part of, he was set on not moving from his home. And, for as long as she could help him stay here, she would.
“Do you feel like watching a movie, Granddad?”
Benjamin nodded. “How about Casablanca? We’ve still got forty minutes to watch from the last time we played it.”
Harper smiled and picked up the remote. “That sounds perfect. I’ll get the popcorn while you organize the movie.” With her grandfather focused on the television, Harper walked into the kitchen. Thankfully, whatever had caused him to feel dizzy and sick had passed.
