Jack set his knitting down and hopped up, taking her chair. “Here, let me get that for you.”
“Thanks.”
He opened it up and set it beside Frankie, then looked at Harper. “I’m glad you’re here, man. You okay?”
She nodded. “Getting there.”
Without another word, he hugged her. She let out a littleoofas he embraced her, almost knocking her hat off. “I’m so sorry about your mom.”
“Thanks.” She patted him on the back as he let her go.
He went back to his knitting, and Harper sat. Archie gave her a look. She nodded at him and unclipped his leash. “Go to Willa. But stay with her.”
Archie took off toward the water.
Frankie used the flap of the book’s jacket as a bookmark, then rested her hand on her sister’s arm. “I’m really glad you came.”
Upon seeing Archie, Willa looked at them, spotted Harper, and with a big grin on her face, waved.
Harper waved back. “I am, too.”
“What changed your mind?”
“Believe it or not, Buck.” Harper shrugged. “I’m not sure why, but I had this urge to call him, so I did. Talking to him made me feel better. I guess it made me realize that what I needed was not to be alone, but to be with family.”
Frankie squeezed Harper’s arm, then gave it a little pat. She loved her sister so much. Buck had done a good thing, whatever he’d said. “You want something to drink? We have plenty.”
“Water would be good.”
Frankie twisted to reach into the cooler behind her, dug out a bottle of water, and handed it over.
Harper took a sip, then looked at the canopy overhead. “Where did this come from?”
“Storage closet. Jack knew it was in there and he found it. He also set it up.”
Jack gave them a nod. “At your service.”
“It’s better than the umbrella,” Harper said.
“My thoughts exactly.” Frankie watched as Archie and Willa played in the surf. “Do you want to talk?”
“Nope. Just want to be.”
Frankie nodded. “You got it.” She went back to her book.
Harper got out a library book as well, pushed her sunglasses on top of her head, and started reading.
Through the reflection on Frankie’s sunglasses, which were resting on the arm of her chair, she could see Harper’s face. Her eyes were puffy. Frankie just wanted to hug her and love on her, but she knew that wasn’t what Harper needed right now.
Jack kept knitting. It was quiet and peaceable and when Willa returned with Archie, she went to Harper. “Can I have his leash so I can walk with him?”
“Sure.” Harper handed it over.
“Thanks.” Willa clipped the leash onto Archie’s collar.
Frankie looked up. “We’ll probably eat in a bit.”
“Okay,” Willa said. “I’m good with that. I’m hoping we’re both dry, or mostly dry, by the time we get back.”
