Harper nodded. “It was. I’m hoping he’ll realize Mom doesn’t have a choice. Two realtors are coming to look at his house next week. After that, we’ll put it on the market.”
Owen’s heart pounded. “What about New York?”
Harper’s gaze locked with his. “I went to New York because I thought it was better than Montana. But living here with Granddad taught me something important. I don’t need to work in a big city to be happy. The love and respect everyone has for each other in Sapphire Bay is more important than any career advancements or experience I could get somewhere else.” She touched the side of Owen’s face. “I spoke to Ellie and told her I’m not going back to New York.”
Owen pulled her closer, enveloping her in a hug that was meant to be as much of a comfort to him as it was to her. “I’m glad you’re staying.”
Harper lifted her head from his chest and grinned. “So am I. But don’t be surprised if I drag you around to look at rental accommodation. I might soon be homeless.”
“You’ll never be homeless while I’m here. There’s a pull-out sofa bed in the living room that’d be perfect for you.”
Harper relaxed against his chest. “That’s the best offer I’ve had all week.”
Chapter23
Three weeks later, Harper sat beside her granddad on a park bench, feeding the ducks. Rex, Steve’s little dog, was sitting on her granddad’s knees, enjoying the spectacle in front of them.
If it weren’t for Steve needing to find someone to look after Rex for an entire day, Harper would never have brought him to Polson. Their excursion to her granddad’s rehabilitation center was a resounding success, and she’d repeated it twice a week for the last few weeks.
“It’s just as well we tied Rex’s leash to your wheelchair, Granddad. Otherwise, he’d be scaring all the ducks away.”
Benjamin’s hand lifted awkwardly as he patted Rex’s back. “Good dog,” he managed to say with a twinkle in his eyes.
Harper laughed. “Rex loves coming to visit you. He thinks he’s the king of the world when he’s sitting on your lap.”
As if he understood what she was saying, Rex leaned against her granddad’s chest. When his little mouth turned into what looked like a smile, she laughed. “He won’t want to go home.”
Her granddad wiped the dribble off the side of his mouth. “Stay with me.”
Harper shook her head. “You’ll get me into trouble. Steve won’t be impressed if we kidnap Rex, but I know what you mean. He’s adorable.”
Breaking a piece of bread into little pieces, she threw it at the ducks. Harper was still surprised by the difference Rex had made in her granddad’s recovery. As far as Benjamin and his little buddy were concerned, it was love at first sight. Rex always sat quietly when he was with her granddad, and the closer the better.
Rex didn’t mind Granddad’s careful attempts to pat him, or the way he’d occasionally knock him if his muscles weren’t doing what they were supposed to do. Since she’d started bringing Rex to Polson, the physical therapist had noticed a big improvement in her granddad’s motivation, and even the speech therapist saw how much impact Rex was having—especially when her granddad introduced him to the other residents at the center.
For Harper and her mom, that was the biggest reward. Benjamin was making friends, forming his own support network with people who understood what he was going through.
The visits with Rex were so successful that the rehabilitation center was putting a program together that included regular visits from small dogs like Rex.
Her granddad touched her arm. “Read the letter,” he said as his eyes flicked toward the pocket where she’d left it.
Harper didn’t know what it contained, but her granddad made sure the nurse gave it to her before they’d left the center. After she opened the envelope, Harper’s eyes widened. “This is a long letter. It must have taken ages to tell the nurse what to write.”
Benjamin looked solemnly at her and nodded.
“Okay, Granddad. Here goes.” Harper cleared her throat.
“My dearest Harper,
As I dictate this letter to you through the kind help of a nurse, my heart is both heavy and light. Heavy, because time is slipping away from me, but lightened by the love and pride I feel when I think of you.”
Harper’s eyes filled with tears. “That’s so sweet. I love you, too, Granddad.”
With his eyes full of emotion, Benjamin pointed to the letter.
She smiled at his determination. After wiping her eyes, she read the next paragraph.
“You’ve grown into a remarkable woman, Harper. You are strong and compassionate, living your life with the very best qualities we could hope for. As I’ve watched you overcome the challenges life has thrown your way, my pride in you has only deepened.”
