More importantly, the sales made her reconsider what she’d been thinking about.
Could she truly make her side business a full-time endeavor? It felt like much more of a possibility now. She’d need to do some projections, figure out what living here would cost, calculate how much work she’d have to bring in to make ends meet but then there was the biggest factor of them all: Seeing where Harper stood.
If Harper wasn’t staying, none of this mattered.
Frankie couldn’t live here on her own.
Or could she?
Chapter Twenty-Three
Harper woke up in a dark living room, covered with the throw from the back of the couch. Archie snored softly from his spot a few cushions away. She sat up a little, blinking as she tried to remember how she’d gotten here.
She and Willa had been watching an old movie.
She must have fallen asleep, and Willa had covered her with the throw, then gone to bed. Harper sat up all the way, rolling her head from side to side, trying to work out the crick from sleeping on the firm throw pillow.
“Archie,” she whispered as she rubbed the back of her neck. She wasn’t sure why she was whispering. Wasn’t like Frankie or Willa could hear her upstairs.
Archie’s ears twitched. He raised his head ever so slightly, looked at her, then dropped his head back down and returned to snoring.
Okay, good. He didn’t have to go out, otherwise, he’d have gotten up. Maybe Willa had taken him before she’d gone upstairs. That was something Willa would have done. She was so good to Archie.
Harper yawned and tossed the throw onto the back of the couch. She needed her bed. Archie could stay here if he wanted,although she figured he’d migrate to his own spot and Mr. Brown as soon as he realized she was gone.
She stood and stretched. The time on the microwave showed nearly two a.m. Maybe she’d sleep in tomorrow. She padded toward the bedroom, only to hear Archie stir, then the click of his nails behind her.
She stopped at the door, smiling at him. “Come on, baby dog. Mr. Brown probably can’t sleep without you.”
He went right in, curling up on his soft bed with a big sigh.
She knew the feeling. She went into the bathroom to pee and brush her teeth. She changed into a night shirt and was about to get into bed when she realized she’d left her phone on the coffee table. Not a big deal, except it needed to charge. She went back out, grabbed it, then returned, plugging it in and leaving it on the nightstand.
She got under the covers, sinking into the comfortable mattress with a deep exhale. She lay there, tired, but also a little awake from being up. Sleep would come eventually, but her mind wandered.
Frankie was the first thing she thought about. Harper ached for her sister and her financial situation. Frankie was one of the best people she knew. Frankie deserved good things in her life. Great things. She deserved Lucas.
Her ex, Tom, had been a bad thing. Outside of Jason and Willa, he’d given Frankie nothing but heartache and trouble. And bills.
How much did Frankie owe, Harper wondered. Would Frankie let Harper help pay it off? Probably not. Frankie was stubborn about things like that. She wanted to take care of herself, which Harper understood.
But if she couldn’t help her sister, what was the point of even being related? It was silly for Frankie not to let Harper help. She didn’t have tons of money saved up, but she had some. Enoughto spare for family. She’d happily give Frankie the money if it meant less stress and worry for her sister.
Harper let out a frustrated breath and tried to go back to sleep, but it didn’t feel like it was coming anytime soon. Maybe she’d read.
She picked up her phone instead, deciding to check her email. A couple from clients, which she’d deal with in the morning, since none of them seemed urgent.
More importantly, there was a response from Buck. She smiled as she opened it up and read.
Dear Harper and Frankie,
I’m so sorry about the late response. I was out on a charter and lost my phone overboard. It happens more than you’d think, sadly. Although not usually to me. I’m answering this from my computer, which is old and slow and not something I use very often.
I was so glad to hear back from the two of you. I keep pinching myself to make sure this is real. Glenda and I would love to meet you both someday. If that’s something you’d be interested in. Glenda understands if you don’t want her to come. She won’t be hurt if you don’t want her there.
We’re happy to do things in whatever way works for you two.
I’m off for the next two days so I’ll be able to answer quicker. Going to get a new phone tomorrow first thing. I don’t look forward to that. Phones are so complicated these days. I guess that makes me sound like an old man. But then, that’s what I am.
