“Nice of Jack to offer to help her with classroom supplies.” Frankie smiled. “He really is a good guy. Maybe not the best decision-maker, but his heart is in the right place.”
That got Harper thinking, so while Frankie drove, she did a quick search on her phone just to see if anything new had been posted about Jack. In other words, if Monica had gone to the press.
She sighed at the search results, her frustration at a new high. “You’re not going to believe this. I did a search on Jack, and they have pictures of him from last night.”
“It was dark when he left the house.”
Harper nodded. “I know, but they must have night-vision cameras. The pictures have that weird green glow. I wonder if he’s seen these. These sites are relentless.”
“They really are.”
Harper turned her screen off and stared out the window. “I wish I had an answer to this. A way to deal with those leeches that would get them to back off. But if I knew how to do that, I’d have done it for myself.”
“It’s probably why Jack came out here. Not just to get away, but because he knew you’d understand.”
Harper frowned. “I haven’t really done much for him.”
“You’ve given him someone to talk to. A metaphorical shoulder to cry on. And he’s been able to spend time in a place that holds a lot of memories for him.”
“Okay, true, but meanwhile, the press is still out there, waiting to pounce on anything they can.” Harper exhaled, the need to help burning in her. “I pray Angelo comes up with something. Not just for Jack, but for Mitch, too.”
Frankie followed the navigation instructions and turned into the library’s parking lot. There weren’t many cars. She turned the engine off. “Doesn’t look very busy.”
“No. But it’s early still.” Harper opened her door. “Come on. Let’s find some books.”
They headed in. The library was cool and quiet and smelled like books. They went straight to the main desk and got to work applying for library cards. Harper couldn’t help but notice the posters announcing the library’s upcoming fundraiser next month.
Photocopies of their IDs were taken, then they had to sign a form, and the cards were issued.
Harper smiled as she held hers. “Meet you back here? Then we’ll hit the grocery store and head home?”
Frankie nodded. “Yep.”
They parted ways. Harper went straight to thrillers and mysteries. She wanted to see how many of Mitch’s books theyhad. Quite a few. Did they know he was local? Had he done any events here?
She glanced back toward the desk, thinking about the poster announcing the upcoming fundraiser.
Her brain started working. Maybe there was a way to help Jack after all. If she could get Mitch on board, too.
Of course, all of that hinged on what the library wanted or needed for the fundraiser. She went back to the desk to ask questions and get some details. No point in getting ahead of herself.
Chapter Twenty-Five
After his run with Bunny, a shower, some breakfast, and a good dose of Ruthie time to give Kyle a chance to sleep in, Mitch took a cup of coffee into his office, ready to start his day. Later than usual, but this was his new normal and he wasn’t going to give up time with his granddaughter just to sit at his desk earlier.
The house was quiet. Beryl was looking after Ruthie, Joyce was taking care of the household, and Kyle was sleeping, but would eventually be writing. Which was exactly what Mitch needed to do. Write.
Instead of going to his desk, however, he took his journal out of the top drawer, grabbed a pen, then took them and his coffee to the couch. He didn’t want to get out of the habit of his daily journaling. He looked forward to it.
He hadn’t at first. It had been an odd and uncomfortable behavior for him. Now, he understood that it was helping him learn to express himself without the fear of repercussions. He actually liked doing it now.
As was usual, he wrote the date on the top of the next blank page, his mind instantly going to Jeanie. Journaling had also become his way of talking to his late wife.
I haven’t stopped missing you, Jeanie. But the intensity of my grief has lessened. There’s a big part of me that feels guilty about that, but another part of me knows it needs to happen. I’m glad it’s happening, that I’m experiencing happiness again. Even though it gives me some guilt, I also know it’s what you’d want for me.
Kyle and Ruthie have been instrumental in that happiness. Especially Ruthie. It's hard to look at her and not see traces of you, Jeanie.
You would love this child so much. I know that for a fact. Sometimes, I catch glimpses of you in her little expressions. I do mourn that she will never get to know you, but as much as I am able, I will tell her all about you. I will show her pictures, I will show her videos, I will tell her stories about you. My promise to you is that you will very much be alive to her. You will be more than a name to her.
