“Okay,” Harper said. “I’ll ask her.”
“I’ll give you my number,” Prisha said. “Then you can text me what you decide.”
They exchanged numbers.
“Thanks for the invite,” Harper said. “It was nice meeting you. I better get him walked so I can get home and have some coffee.”
“Enjoy your day. I hope to see you tomorrow night.”
“I hope to be there. Bye.”
“Bye.” Prisha put her sunglasses on and returned to her book.
Harper walked Archie for quite a while. Almost to the end of what constituted Hideaway Bay. Amazing how easy it was to go such a distance on the beach. The breeze off the water felt so good. She turned them around and they headed back. Prisha had gone.
They walked back on the boardwalk then straight to the house. Harper felt energized, but a little sweaty. Even with the breeze it was still warm. Time for a quick shower and something to eat. Archie had done his business twice, so she had two bags to throw away.
She wasn’t sure where the trash cans were yet, so she took them inside with her. She washed Archie’s feet off in the first-floor bathroom shower, then they went up in the elevator. She got a pot of coffee started before going in to shower. As she was about to step in, Frankie’s text came through.
Leaving now. So excited! See you soon!
Harper answered quickly.Drive safe! See you soon! Can’t wait!
Her sister’s pending arrival got her motivated. She showered, then got dressed and downed a cup of coffee along with one of Joyce’s delicious oatmeal bars. The woman could bake.
She rummaged around a bit as she ate, remembering something she’d seen yesterday while looking through the kitchen.
She found it in the catchall drawer next to the one that held the utensils. The Hideaway Bay directory.
There was a number for the main office, so Harper called that.
“Good morning. Hideaway Bay assistance. How can I help?”
“Good morning. I’m new here and I have a few questions…”
After the brief call, Harper had given them her sister’s name so she’d be let through the gates, gotten a recommendation for a good veterinarian (just in case), and had been assured the trashcans were most likely in one of the garages.
Which reminded her about putting her car in one of them, but how would she get the door up when she was in the car? She had a whole packet of stuff from the attorney’s office, paperwork concerning the house. She hadn’t really looked at any of it except to get the alarm codes. Maybe there was something in there about the garages.
She got the packet out, sat at the breakfast bar, and emptied it out onto the counter to sort through while she had a second cup of coffee.
There were fobs to open the garage doors, keys to the guest house, and a few pages of handwritten notes about the house from Arlington himself.
The sight of his handwriting brought an ache to Harper’s heart.
On top of everything was a smaller envelope with her name on it. She opened it and pulled out a letter from him.
Dear Harper,
If you’re reading this, I have shuffled off this mortal coil. I know you think the house is too much. It’s not. It’s a perfect way to say thank you for all you’ve done for me and my family. I hope you’re able to continue helping Teddy. He’s a new man because of you, and no, he didn’t tell me that. I just surmised it. I know how you work.
She smiled and sniffed.
There are a lot of wonderful memories in this house. Many good times. Loads of laughter. Some tears shed, too. That’s the way of things with families. But it’s always been a sanctuary for us. Me, especially. A quiet place to come when the world got to be too much. I hope it becomes a sanctuary for you, too.
Of course, if it really is too much, or you don’t care for it, or whatever the reason, you’re welcome to sell it. It’s yours now. Do with it what you will. All I ask is that you give it one year after you take ownership before you make a decision of that nature.
She nodded. “I can do that.”
