She picked up the other box and they went back to Stan’s office. The door was open, and he was behind his desk. They paused in front of it.
Stan looked up. “All done?”
“We are,” Harper said. “The bag of clothes left on the table can be donated. The rest we’re going to take.”
“Very good,” Stan said. “You need anything else, don’t hesitate to call me. It was our honor to take care of your mother. She was a wonderful lady.”
“Thank you. Goodbye.” Harper headed straight for the exit with long strides, like she was eager to get out of the place.
Mitch didn’t blame her. The memories had to be overwhelming. How she was keeping it together, he had no idea. Except that she was strong. That much he knew.
When they reached the car, he balanced the box on his hip and pushed the button to lift the tailgate. He let Harper put her box in first, then he added the books.
He closed the gate and checked the time. It was nearly five. A little early for dinner, maybe, but this wasn’t their time zone, either. “What do you want to do? Are you hungry? Or do you want to go to the hotel and get checked in?”
They’d already discussed staying in Laughlin rather than driving back to Vegas after their meeting. “Let’s go to the hotel, check in, then…” She bit her lip. “Could we just order pizza, lay on the bed, and watch a movie? I don’t want to go anywhere. I’m not in the mood to be around people. I just want to stay in with you.”
He smiled. “Great plan. I’m in.”
She hugged him, holding on tight. He embraced her, giving her whatever time she needed. “This is hard,” she whispered. “But you’ve made it easier.”
“I’m so glad.” He kissed her temple.
She leaned back. “You know what I said over breakfast, about not being able to answer you about the trip? It wasn’t because I don’t want to do that with you. I do. It just felt like, I don’t know, I shouldn’t be making plans to have fun when my mom had just passed.”
He nodded. “I know. I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m the first person who should have realized the timing was wrong. It’s not a big deal.”
“Thanks for understanding.”
He pushed a loose strand of hair off her cheek. “I’m thinking pepperoni and extra cheese.”
Harper smiled. “Definitely extra cheese. And maybe some garlic knots. And something chocolate.”
Mitch would have found her caviar and champagne if that’s what she wanted. “We will make that happen.”
Chapter Fifty-Three
Once again, Mitch had gotten them adjoining rooms at the hotel. Harper hadn’t thought he’d do anything else, but it was nice how he always lived up to her expectations.
When they’d checked in, he’d asked for the number to the best local pizza place that delivered. He’d called on the way up to their rooms and ordered a large pepperoni with extra cheese, an order of garlic knots, and two pieces of what was promised to be homemade chocolate cake.
While they waited for it to arrive, they changed into lounging clothes and hit their laptops, taking care of emails and other odds and ends. Mitch looked for the next available flight home, while Harper checked social media, texted her sister that everything was taken care of, and let her know they’d be home soon.
It had been a whirlwind trip, but she’d accomplished what she’d set out to do. She was ready to be home. Well, almost ready. She was looking forward to this night in, as it were. It wasn’t something she and Mitch had ever done.
In all fairness, it wasn’t something she’d done withanyman since Ford. Unless she counted Archie, which…she didn’t. Cute as he was.
Mitch came in from his room. “Next available flight is tomorrow at six twenty-five p.m., which means we’ll get in around ten the next morning.”
“I’m all right with that.”
He nodded. “I’ll make the reservation.”
The pizza arrived. Mitch paid the guy and brought all the food to her room. “Have you picked out a movie yet?”
She had the remote aimed at the television and was scrolling through the On Demand options. “What are you in the mood for?”
“I really don’t care. It’s been so long since I’ve seen a new movie that I can pretty much guarantee I won’t have seen whatever you pick.”
