“I’m working on it. I’ll get it done soon. I promise.”
“Good.”
He’d already done a lot for her. Giving her the logo job. Making her feel like a desirable woman again. She wanted to do something for him in return. An idea popped into her head.
She stepped back and pulled her phone out, then snapped a couple pictures of Scout. “You’re such a pretty girl, Scout.”
“She is,” Lucas said. “And by the looks of it, she needs to go out.” He shook his head at the dog. “You’re not going to like it out there. It’s wet.”
“Harper ended up giving Archie a bath this morning. He was a little stinky anyway after being in the river.”
Lucas nodded. “So is she. I was going to take her to the groomer’s today, but this weather makes me not want to leave the house.” He shrugged. “Perfect excuse to test out a few recipes and catch up on emails.”
“I’ve been working on emails and my website all morning. When I get back, I’m putting my head down and making progress on the illustrations for the children’s book I’ve contracted. Those have to get done.”
“And?”
She thought a moment. “Sending you an invoice?”
“Yes.” He smiled. “Maybe we can get together tomorrow? Have some dinner or something?”
“Maybe.” She tucked her phone away. “Harper, Willa, and I might be meeting Buck McCandless tomorrow. He’s Harper’s and my biological father.”
Lucas blinked. “Wow. That’s huge. You don’t seem super excited.”
“I have mixed feelings. Meeting our biological mother didn’t go well. After that, it’s hard to get my hopes up, you know?”
“Sure. I get it. Is he coming here?”
“No, we’re going to him. He’s about two hours away on Jekyll Island.”
Lucas’s brows lifted. “If things go well, that could be one more reason to make Hideaway Bay your home. You and Harper both.”
It was a good point. And one she hadn’t thought of. In fact, Buck might be just the person who could help change Harper’s mind.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Once Mitch had finished bringing everything in from Kyle’s car, he took stock of what there was. Not much, frankly.
Joyce had fed and changed Ruthie, rocked her for a bit, then put her in the Pack ’n Play to sleep. The baby had drifted right off, no doubt happy to be in a calm environment.
“How’s she doing?” Mitch asked.
“She needs clothes and diapers and formula and all kinds of things, the little mite.”
Mitch nodded. “And a crib. There’s room in that other guest bedroom. We can turn that into a nursery and it can be her room when she’s old enough.”
Joyce’s smile went ear to ear. “Planning for the future, eh?”
“Doesn’t hurt.” Would Kyle be here that long? Mitch had no idea. But now that Kyle and Ruthie had arrived, Mitch never wanted them to leave. “Can you help me get a list together? Then I’ll go see what I can find. Walmart should have everything, right?”
Joyce nodded. “They should, yes. Would you rather I go?”
“No. I want to do this.”
“I understand.” Her brows knit. “Do you even know where the Walmart is?”
“Yes.” He gave her a look.
