“Have fun,” Frankie said.
They took off.
Harper glanced over. “I’m surprised you didn’t invite Lucas and Angelo.”
“I did, actually, but he and his brother were going out fishing today so they couldn’t make it. It’s all right.” Frankie shrugged. “This way it’s just family.”
Jack cleared his throat, then made a funny face when they looked at him, making them laugh.
“You’re kind of like family now,” Frankie said.
Jack smiled, clearly pleased with that answer.
Harper shook her head. “Who knew all you had to do to evade the paparazzi was hit the beach?”
“Man, I wish I’d figured that out sooner,” he said. “Although it’s probably only a matter of time before they find me.”
“Have you thought any more about what you’re going to do about Monica?” Harper asked.
“I talked to Teddy—he says hi, by the way—and he doesn’t think I should pay her, either. In fact, he thinks I should turn her in to the cops. Angie said she had a couple of warrants. She gets picked up and chances are good she’ll be too busy to think about me.”
“Hmm.” Frankie shook her head. “I hate to play devil’s advocate, but what if you do that and she thinks you’re her ticket out? That if she tells the cops she was assaulted by someone famous, they’ll go after you because you’re a bigger fish.”
His eyes narrowed. “I hadn’t thought about that, man.” He sighed and stopped knitting.
“You need to talk to your attorney,” Harper said. “I think it’s time to bring in the big guns. I know you have one.”
“Clancey Withers. Used to be my dad’s guy,” Jack said. “Good dude. A little sharky for my taste, but you sort of want that in a lawyer, you dig?”
Frankie and Harper both nodded.
He tucked the knitting away into the bag from the art supply store that he’d been keeping it in and got a can of sparkling water from the cooler. “I wish people could just be chill with each other, you know? Let each other live.”
“I understand what you’re saying,” Harper said. “But if no one was interested in you, no one would come to see your movies, and then where would you be?”
“Probably surfing in Costa Rica, living in a little shack by the beach, and dreaming about being in the movies someday.” He grinned. “I get what you’re saying, man, and it’s a valid point. Gotta take the bad with the good, eh?”
Harper’s chest rose and fell with a deep breath. “That’s for sure.” She went back to staring out at the water.
Frankie knew Harper needed time. And maybe just to know that her family was there for her. She went back to reading,content to be near her sister, hoping Harper would ask if there was anything else she could do.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Mitch pulled down Harper’s drive promptly at six thirty. It was odd to be driving his SUV to her house when she was just a short walk away from where he lived, but he wasn’t about to make her drag her luggage through the path.
She came out of the house as he was parking. He pressed the button to lift the tailgate of the SUV and hopped out to help her. She had one suitcase, a computer bag, and a large purse. Or maybe it was a tote. Jeanie had always carried a big bag like that when they’d traveled, too. It probably contained everything they’d need to survive in case of an emergency or the end of the world. Women were remarkable like that.
“How are you doing?” he asked as she walked over.
“I’m all right.” She parked her big rolling suitcase by the fender, then put her computer bag next to it. Her purse stayed on her shoulder. “Not looking forward to this but at the same time, I’m glad she’s not suffering anymore.”
“Yeah,” he said quietly, understanding exactly how she was feeling. “I had those same thoughts about Jeanie. There was relief when she passed, but the fact that I felt that left me with guilt. More than I had already been carrying around with me.”
She blew out a long breath. “That pretty much sums it up.”
He put her bags in the back, closed the liftgate, and went around to her door, opening it for her. She got in without a word and put her seatbelt on. He closed the door, then got behind the wheel. They drove for a while in silence. It didn’t bother him. Silence had never made him uncomfortable, and for a long time, he’d preferred it.
Now he was content to let Harper decide when to make conversation.
