“You didn’t wake me. I was up.”
“Oh. Well, like I said, I’m just next door.” She slid off the stool, then pushed it back under the counter. “I can see myself out. I hope you write all the words.”
He breathed out some words, probably intending them to be too quiet for her to hear, but she did. “So do I.”
Just then the front door opened.
They both glanced toward the steps.
“Joyce,” Mitch said. “I’m going to my office.”
“I’ll say hi on my way out,” Harper said. Then she headed for the steps.
Joyce was still in the foyer, bags in her arms. Her eyes rounded in surprise as Harper came toward her. “What are you doing here?”
Harper smiled, taking a few bags from her. “Returning the oatmeal bar container. And chatting.”
“Chatting?” The word came out in a loud whisper, dripping with disbelief.
Harper shrugged. “Yep. Come on, I’ll help you carry these up.”
“Bless you.” Joyce trudged up the steps behind her.
Harper put the bags on the counter. Her coffee cup was still there. Mitch was not. She took the cup to the sink and emptied it.
Joyce looked around. “Where is he?”
“Office. He said he was writing.”
“About time.” Joyce rolled her lips in like she’d let something slip. “Good for him.”
“Any more bags to bring in?”
“Just a few. I can manage. Thank you.”
“Thank you for the oatmeal bars. They were great.”
“You’re welcome. Wait a moment now. How would you feel about some apple cinnamon muffins?”
“Did you make them?”
Joyce put her hands on her hips. “Well, sure.”
“In that case, I’d feel pretty good about them.”
Joyce smiled. “Let me get you a couple.”
A couple was actually four. Joyce put them in a different container and handed them over. “There you go.” She leaned in, voice low. “Did you really chat with him? Civilly?”
“We did and it was very civil.”
“Will wonders never cease. Well done, you.”
Harper just smiled. “Thanks again for the muffins. I’d better get going or my sister will think I’ve abandoned her. Come over anytime, if you just want to visit. We’re almost always home.”
“What a kind offer. I might just do that. Take care now.”
“You, too.” Harper let herself out and took the overgrown path home.
