I smile at her. “Dad always did say you were the one great love of his life.”
Mom’s brown eyes grow wet again. “I miss that man every day.”
“I know. It’s how I felt about Harper. Missing her.”
Pressing onto her toes, Mom kisses my cheek. “Then don’t let her go. Don’t let anyone get in the way between the two of you. Not even your egos.”
“I won’t, trust me. I’m not letting Harper go for anything.”
“Good. Maybe once the girls get home from visiting Dan’s parents, we can all get together?”
“I’m sure she’d like that,” I tell her.
“I can get to know her again. Hear what’s been going on in her life the last few years.”
It’s the best I could have hoped for today.
“Can we come out yet?” Sam calls from upstairs.
“Come on down.”
Their feet thunder down the stairs.
“Did Harper leave?” Sadie asks. “I wanted to see her again.”
“She’ll be back tomorrow, okay?” I tell her.
“She’s not in trouble?” Sam asks.
“No,” Mom answers. “Harper isn’t in trouble. No one is in trouble.”
“You sounded mad,” Sam states, Sadie nodding along with her.
“No one is mad,” I tell them. “We’re all fine.”
Mom looks at me in agreement.
Yeah, everything is going to be just fine.
Chapter Thirty-Four
HARPER
“I’m nervous.” I shake out my hands, not for the first time tonight.
“Why?” Marcus steps behind me, tugging me into his arms.
“Because, I want your mom to like me.”
It’s the first time we’re all getting together since Marcus confessed the truth to her. They spent the holidays together before the girls went to visit their grandparents in Washington. She volunteered to travel with them, so she’s bringing them home tonight.
I’m hoping the small present I have for Jane will help smooth the bumpy road we have ahead of us.
“I think I might need to get in her good graces more than you.”
I laugh. “You’re her son. She’ll eventually get over it.”
“The woman can hold a grudge. I hope it’s not a trait the girls get.”
