She planted her elbow on the armrest attached to the door and stared out the window. “I know I’ve said it already, but I really do appreciate you helping me with all of this. I know I could do it alone, but it seems so much easier with you along.”
“It’s my honor. I mean that. I know grief is a private thing, so you letting me accompany you is not something I take lightly.”
She turned to give him a quick smile, then went back to looking out the window. “I called Buck this afternoon. It was nice to talk to him. He was very kind. And he made me feel better, which was unexpected. After I talked to him, I decided to go hang with Frankie, Willa, and Jack at the beach for a bit.”
“Good for you.”
“It was nice to be with them. I think I might have brought the fun level down a little, but they were sweet about it.”
“Harper, all everyone wants right now is to do what’s best for you. Whatever you need to get through this.”
She took her arm down and put her hands in her lap, worrying her cuticles. “I was sad when my dad died, sad when Arlington passed, but this is sadness is…different.”
“Because it’s your mom. A girl and her mom, that’s a special relationship that nothing else compares to. And this is just my guess, but in your case, your relationship was even more special because shechoseyou. I have a feeling, whether or not you realized it growing up, that that aspect influenced how you both felt about each other.”
She nodded, her chin wobbling. “She used to tell me all the time that I was the child of her heart.” She sniffed and laughed. “Okay, enough of that. I don’t want to be a sniffling mess at the airport. Let’s talk about something else, okay?”
“Sure. Anything you want.”
“You know I rereadThe Light Within? Took a lot of notes, too.”
He grimaced. “Is this the part where you tell me it’s not as good as you remember?”
“No, silly.” She gave his arm a poke. “It was better. It’s just…” She let out a little noise of frustration. “It’s so good I can’t put it into words. There are places where it literally reads like poetry.”
“Now you’re just blowing smoke up my skirt.”
She snorted. “No, I’m not.” She got a little more serious. “I really hope the director does justice to it.”
“Well, that’s why we’re getting involved. Why I fought for creative input.”
“I’m glad you did. That was really smart. By the way, do you have merchandising rights? I’m guessing not.”
“No, they belong to the product company. Why?” He smiled. “Do you think there’s going to be a great demand forThe Light Withinlunchboxes?”
“Maybe not lunchboxes, but I bet T-shirts. There are some quotable lines in that book. When the professor talks about the stars shining even if they have no witnesses? That’s a good one.”
They talked about that book, some of his other books, Kyle’s writing, Joyce and Beryl’s impending internet fame, and a whole host of other things. They kept talking all the way to the check-in counter, all through airport security, right up until the boarding announcement was made.
“That’s us,” Mitch said.
“No,” Harper said. “That was for First Class.”
He raised his brows. “Where do you think I usually sit when I travel?”
“Are we in First Class?Bothof us?”
“Harper.” He stood, gathering his things. “Would I put myself in First Class and you in Coach? Come on now.”
She got up, smiling. “You’re spoiling me.”
“I’m sorry, but if you have a complaint, it must be submitted in triplicate between the hours of nine and two on alternating Sundays. Also, the office is closed during months that have thirty-one days.”
She started laughing and shook her head at him. “I love you.” Her eyes widened. “I meant that like…you know.”
“I don’t care how you meant it, because I love you, too.” He smiled at her consternation and took her computer bag from her. “Let’s go before they think we’re not coming.”
They boarded and settled into their seats. To his eyes, Harper looked happy. As happy as could be expected, considering the circumstances. That made the First Class seats worth it. Which wasn’t why he’d chosen those seats. He really did prefer to fly First Class. Not only did it mean he usually got left alone, but there was better service and enough space for him to get writing done.
