Then she reminded herself that Willa was an adult and capable of making her own decisions. Just like she’d have totake responsibility for whatever consequences came from those decisions.
Frankie couldn’t see Harper turning down Willa’s request to stay, but she wasn’t completely sure Harper would be pleased about it. Then again, Willa seemed awfully sure Harper would say yes.
Because of course she would. But Frankie had a feeling Harper wasn’t going to be thrilled when she found out Willa’s decision had something to do with Kyle. Harper was pretty protective of Mitch, of all her clients, really, and anything that might cause him issues would bother her.
This wasn’t going to be solved in a day. And honestly, it was Willa’s issue to deal with. Frankie threw her hands up and went to her bedroom. She grabbed her suit, a coverup, and a towel and stuffed them in her beach bag.
She was going back to Lucas’s. Staying here wasn’t going to change anything. Willa had made her mind up.
Fighting with her wouldn’t accomplish anything except make her already stubborn daughter dig in deeper. Maybe Harper could talk some sense into her.
And maybe she couldn’t.
Frankie headed down the steps, listening for any sounds of conversation, but the house was quiet. So far.
Going to Lucas’s definitely seemed like the right decision.
Chapter Fifty-Four
Harper finished the Zoom call with her client, then finalized the list of available dogs for adoption at the local rescues and sent it to Mitch. She’d been meaning to do that, but reading Kyle’s book had taken priority.
With the list sent, she went out to get a drink. All that talking had made her mouth dry. She should have taken a drink in with her. Archie trotted along with her, probably hoping it was time for dinner. “Not quite yet, buddy.”
Willa was sitting at the kitchen counter looking very mopey. Harper tried to make eye contact, but Willa was staring at her phone. Harper took a glass down from the cabinet. “What’s wrong? You look miserable.”
“I’m just…I don’t know.” Willa’s sigh was full of angst. “Would you be okay with me staying here?”
Harper filled the glass with ice, then water from the fridge. “I don’t understand the question. You’re staying here now and obviously I’m okay with it.”
“I meant in a more permanent way.”
Harper leaned against the counter and studied her niece. What was going on? Archie lay down in front of her. “You want to explain a little more?”
“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. And I’ve made some decisions. I’m going to leave school and get a job now. I’ll still finish my doctorate, but I’m done with being a full-time student.”
“That is quite the decision. What brought all this on?”
“You and Mom are making big changes in your lives. And I talked to Kyle a lot last night. He said some things that really made sense to me. About taking chances and not being afraid to live your life.”
Harper tried to tamp down her amusement at the profound statements of youth. “He’s also raising a child on his own and living in his father’s house.”
“But that was his decision. And look how well it’s turned out.”
“Actually, his girlfriend kicked him out and it was Mitch’s decision to let him stay.” Not that Mitch would have turned his son away, but the truth mattered.
“Yeah, but still. Kyle made the decision to come home.”
Harper set her glass on the counter next to her. She’d had a feeling something was going on with those two last night. Apparently, she’d been right. “What’s really going on? What have you done?”
Willa picked at her cuticle, then lifted her chin and looked at Harper again. “I accepted a teaching job at a local middle school. I start at the beginning of the new school year. Actually, teacher orientation is in two weeks. Obviously, I’d really like to be able to stay here. Please. I was sort of depending on it.”
Harper’s brows rose, but she said nothing. Now she knew where Willa had gone on her errand. The interview. It had to be. Archie let out a little sigh and laid his head down on his paws, watching them.
Willa swallowed, apparently taking Harper’s silence as disapproval. “I’ll pay my share of things. I’m not asking to stay for free. But wouldn’t it be great? All three of us here together, Imean? All that family time. We’ll be able to get to know Buck. I should be able to get to know my grandfather.”
Harper nodded, still thinking. “How much of this has to do with Kyle?”
Willa seemed surprised by that. “Nothing. This is all me. He gave me a lot to think about, that’s all. He didn’t encourage me to do anything.”
