He laughed. “Right.” She thought he might leave then, but he stayed where he was. “I like you, Harper.”
“I should hope so, considering what we were just doing.”
He grinned. “I never thought someone like you would come into my life. That I would get a second chance at…this sounds like I’m about to propose. I don’t mean to put pressure on you, I just want you to know that I think you’re special and I’m really grateful that you’re in my life.”
“You can thank Arlington for that.”
Mitch nodded. “Good point. If he hadn’t sent you over with that letter…” Mitch shook his head. Then he chuckled softly. “You know what he told me in that letter? Herequestedthat I engage your services.”
Her mouth came open. “He did?”
“Yep. He also told me that you were the one who talked him into taking the role of the Doomsday Oracle.”
She shook her head. “I can’t believe he shared that.”
“He knew what he was doing by telling me that. It made me see you differently.” Mitch’s gaze took on a faraway look. “He even told me that I should let you show me how to find happiness again. I thought he’d lost it, honestly.”
She chuckled. “In his letter to me, he told me to befriend you, and to listen to you, if I could get you to talk. He also said I shouldn’t be put off by your crankiness.”
“I’m glad you weren’t.” Mitch took her hand. “I miss him terribly.”
“Me, too. But it’s kind of sweet knowing he was thinking about both of us in his final days.”
“Yeah, it is.” He met her eyes again. “We should do our best not to disappoint him.”
“I agree.” She already owed Arlington for the house. Now she owed him for Mitch, too. “Do you want me to come over later and talk about the book?”
“Sure. That would be great. Although I didn’t write that much today.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Ruthie?”
“Mostly Kyle. But if I’m being honest, it was also you.” He blew out a breath. “I really thought I’d screwed things up.”
“Well, you didn’t. I’ll see you in a few hours. Okay?”
“Okay.” He leaned in, gave her a quick kiss, then headed out, smiling.
She watched him for a moment, then closed the door, smiling pretty hard herself.
“Did Mitch just kiss you?” Willa stood in the rec room, just past the entrance.
“How long have you been standing there? It’s not cool to eavesdrop.”
Willa swallowed. “I didn’t mean to. I thought you heard me come in.”
“Well, we didn’t.” Harper wasn’t really mad, but she didnotwant Willa sharing anything she’d just seen or heard. “You aren’t to mention this to anyone. I mean it. Not even your mother. This is private, personal business.”
“Not even Mom?”
“No one.” Harper frowned. “I’ll tell her when it’s time. Just like I imagine you’ll tell us where you were all day when you’re ready.”
Willa made a face. “I won’t say anything. I swear.”
“I’m holding you to that.” But Harper had a feeling their secret wasn’t going to stay that way for long.
Chapter Fifty-Three
Lucas greeted Frankie with a hug as Scout danced around them. “Hey, you,” he whispered into her ear. “I’ve missed you.”
