“I could say the same for you and Lucas.” Harper got to her feet. “Unless things have changed while I was gone.”
Frankie smiled. “No, nothing’s changed. We went out last night. Dinner and a visit to an art gallery.”
“Nice,” Harper said. “So does that mean you’re getting married then?”
Frankie rolled her eyes. “Very funny.”
Harper snorted. “Fair is fair.”
Frankie headed for the steps. “I have painting to do. Glad you’re home.”
She was, too. Just like she was glad that Harper seemed to be in such good spirits. No doubt Mitch had a lot to do with that.
She went downstairs and back to her chair. She added paint to her palette and picked up her brush. Her music still played on her laptop. She glanced toward the river, the view from the rec room just as nice as anywhere else in the house.
Would she marry Lucas if he asked? She smiled. She absolutely would.
Chapter Fifty-Six
Mitch was glad to be home, but he’d loved having so much time with Harper. Unfortunate circumstances had put them together, but they’d still enjoyed each other’s company. He’d even go so far as to say they’d had some fun.
The look on her face when she’d tried on that engagement ring still had him grinning. Someday, if everything went right, he’d be buying her a ring just like that. He’d actually thought about buying that exact one and putting it away until they were ready, but he wasn’t confident she’d liked it enough. Although she had smiled the whole time it had been on her finger.
However long it took for them to get to that point in their relationship, if that was next week or next year, he didn’t care, so long as she was in his life.
Everything about his life had improved since she’d entered it.
He stepped out of the elevator and rolled his suitcase behind him. Bunny came running over, tail wagging. “Hi, Bunny. Miss me?”
“We all did.” Joyce was in the kitchen. Beryl was sitting in the living room with Ruthie on her lap, reading a book about bears. Joyce smiled. “Welcome home.”
“Thanks.” He looked at Beryl. “How’s my girl been?”
“She’s the best baby ever,” Beryl said. “That hasn’t changed.”
He set his computer bag down and went to Ruthie, picking her up and giving her a kiss. “Grandpa missed you, Ruthie bean. I brought you a T-shirt, too.”
Kyle came out of his room. “Hey, Dad. How was the trip?”
“Short but also long.” He laughed and handed Ruthie back to Beryl. “I’m a little worn out.”
“I bet,” Kyle said. “You need help with anything?”
“No, I’ve got it. Thanks. You writing?”
Kyle nodded. “I am. Getting a good handle on this new book, I think. Might want to get Harper to read the first chapter when it’s done, see what her reactions are. I want to make sure I’m on the right track, you know?”
“Definitely. Good idea.” Mitch picked up his computer bag, hitching the strap onto his shoulder. “I’m going to unpack, then I’ll be in my office. Probably going to have an early night tonight.”
“Pot roast for dinner,” Joyce said. “I can put it in a little sooner if you want to eat earlier.”
Mitch nodded. “Yeah, that would be good. I’m not sure I’ll be able to stay awake past nine.”
“I’ll see to it,” she said. “Your office is clean and ready for you.”
“Thanks.” He had no doubt she’d cleaned it to within an inch of perfection. She’d been itching to get in there for ages. He took his suitcase into the bedroom, putting both it and his computer bag on the bed.
Unpacking didn’t take long. He had a little laundry, the rest just got put away. He rolled the empty suitcase into the closet and lifted it to store it on the shelf with his other luggage. Then he took his computer bag into his office.
