“Is she going to meet our birth mother, too?”
Frankie’s mouth opened but nothing came out for a second. “I…I didn’t think about that. I don’t think that’s a good idea. Not until you and I have met her and figured out what the next step is.”
“If there is a next step,” Harper added. She had serious reservations about this meeting. “How’s that going, by the way?”
“I need to find a neutral place for us to meet, but Shar’s very interested.”
Harper pulled her hair back and twisted it up, securing it with the elastic around her wrist. “I’m sure she is.”
“Listen, I’m not going to say anything to her about this place. It’s none of her business. I understand that we need to protect ourselves until we know her story and what kind of person she is.”
Harper nodded. “Good. That’s smart. I don’t want her knowing too much about me until I know who she is.” Her phone vibrated, still on that setting from last night.
She flipped it over and took a look. A message had come in from Joyce.
Can you come up with an excuse to come over here? Mitch is in a bad way. Nightmare about Jeanie and he’s in a funk again. I’m worried about him. I think talking to you would help. If you could. I’ll bake you some more muffins.
Harper smiled at the last sentence, but then her empathy kicked in and she felt for Mitch. She thought a moment, then responded.As it happens, I’m all out of coffee. Maybe I could come over and borrow some?
Don’t ring the bell. I’ll be waiting at the front door.
Give me 10 mins.
Thank you.
Harper grabbed her phone and hopped out of the seat. “I have to go.”
“No beach?”
“Not today. Mitch needs me. Not sure when I’ll be back. You okay by yourself?”
“I have a ton of work to do,” Frankie answered. “I’ll be fine. Want me to walk Archie later?”
“If you feel like it, that would be great. Thanks.” Harper ran to the bathroom. She took a super quick shower, barely letting the water heat up. She dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, brushed her hair into a high ponytail, dabbed on a tiny bit of concealer to make herself look more awake, flicked on some mascara and tinted gloss, then stepped back.
Ten minutes wasn’t a lot of time to get ready. She dabbed on the tiniest bit of perfume. As much as she wanted coffee, she could have some at Mitch’s.
If he let her stay. If he was back to his old self, he might not. He might tell her to leave. She prepared herself for that.
Archie had come into the bedroom to see what she was doing. She bent and kissed his fluffy head. “Be a good boy for Aunt Frankie, okay, baby dog? Mama will be back.”
Frankie was working on the couch, a cup of coffee nearby. “See you when you get back. Text me if you need me for anything.”
“Thanks,” Harper said. She went downstairs and outside into the sun. It was another beautiful day. A few puffy clouds dotted the blue sky, but it was still picture-perfect to her. She took the path to Mitch’s.
True to her word, Joyce was at the front door. She shook her head as Harper approached. “He’s in his office. Didn’t want to eat breakfast or anything. I’m worried about him. I thought he’d turned a corner, bless his heart.”
Harper glanced toward the upstairs. “Do you think I should invent a reason to talk to him? How else will I get to see him?”
“I don’t know. Maybe that would be the thing to do.” She looked so worried. “I’ll leave it with you, shall I?”
“Yes,” Harper said. “I only have one request.”
“Anything, pet.”
“Could I get a cup of coffee? I haven’t had one yet.”
“You come right upstairs this instant and I’ll fix you one. Do you want me to tell him you’re here?”
