“Hang on. I haven’t even told you what it is.”
“I don’t care. I’m desperate.”
“My suggestion is that we ask Mitch. He’s a writer. It’s what he does. I know he’ll help, because he helped me with my social media issues after I got here. But you have to be willing to share what’s going on.”
Jack didn’t hesitate. “Yeah, I’m cool with that. Mitch is good people. You know my dad loved him. Him and his wife. We all liked them. Shame about her, huh? Cancer, man. It sucks.”
“Yes, it does. How about I talk to him on your behalf and see what he thinks?”
“You have my go-ahead. I need to deal with Monica before she ruins me.”
Harper hurt for him. Yes, Jack was a serial dater, but he would never force a woman to do anything against her will. He didn’t need to. He had woman throwing themselves at him wherever he went. Harper had seen it with her own eyes. Besides, sexual assault was about power. It was a violent act. Jack wasnotthat guy.
She got up. “I’ll be in touch as soon as I talk to him. You need anything?”
He shook his head, still looking a little forlorn. “Nah, I’m good. Got a couple of great books, plenty of food. I’m all right. Might hit the beach tomorrow. I think it would do me some good.”
“All the beach stuff is still in the storage closet in the rec room. If you want any of that.”
His smile was quick, disappearing right after it appeared. “Thanks, Harper. For everything. I’d be a wreck if I was by myself.”
She took a breath. He hadn’t asked her for advice, but she was going to give him some anyway. “You ever think about settling down? Getting married? Committing yourself to one woman, having a family, all of that?”
He nodded, seemingly giving her words serious thought. “Yeah, I have. I’d love to. I haven’t found that woman yet. It’s hard, you know? People don’t see me for me. They see Jack Marsh, movie star, celebrity, personality. Makes it hard to get to know anyone as a real person.”
“I can imagine.”
He looked past her, out toward the water. “People think celebrities have the world on a string, but the truth is, the worldhas us on a string, man. I feel like I’m owned by my fame. Like everything I do is scrutinized and analyzed and dissected.”
“Not while you’re here. You just relax, take some time for yourself, and get your head together. We’ll work this out.”
He frowned. “Thanks, Harper. You need me, you know where I am.”
“Have a good night.”
“You, too.”
She went back to the main house, her heart aching for him. She would find a way to help him. Hopefully, with Mitch on board.
As she stepped inside, she pulled out her phone.
Chapter Eleven
Mitch had made a quick dinner for himself and Kyle. Cheeseburgers in the cast-iron skillet, along with a tray of frozen French fries in the oven. He was happy to see that Bunny was not a begger. That wasn’t to say she wasn’t interested in the aromas she was smelling. She took a few good sniffs, nose in the air, then went to settle down.
He’d already given her the okay to sleep on the couch. It didn’t seem right to take a dog into your house, only to put all sorts of restrictions on them. He wanted Bunny to feel comfortable, to know she was home, and for her to be a friend and protector for Ruthie.
If she could do that, she deserved a spot on the couch.
After Harper had left, Kyle had organized all the things Mitch had bought for Bunny. He’d set up an eating area for Bunny at the end of the kitchen counter, and put a bed for her in Mitch’s office and another in the living room. Mitch had gotten a few toys for her, along with a leash, collar, harness, food, treats, a brush, some chew toys, and a Bunny-sized life vest for trips on the boat.
Mitch plated up the burgers, putting them on buns. The cheese was melted and perfect. “Kyle? Dinner’s ready.”
Kyle was in his room, working, but the door was open. Ruthie was in her swing by the kitchen table where Mitch could keep an eye on her. He glanced over to check on her. Bunny was curled up next to the swing, head down but still very much awake. Guarding her charge.
Mitch smiled, and softly said, “Good girl, Bunny.”
She looked up at him, ears twitching at her name, tail thumping the floor a few times, then went back to rest mode.
