Emmett shook his head.He didn't even know where to start.
Blane stepped forward."Don't give him any shit, Cash.He's working on it."
"Working at screwing it up?"Cash asked.
"No, trying to figure out how it can work," said Emmett."I know you always think you can come in and wave a magic wand, Cash.And believe me, right now, I wish you could.But it's not that simple."
Cash leaned back in the chair."I know.I'm not trying to give you a hard time, bud.It took me by surprise, that's all.I thought things were going well."
"They were.They are."Emmett let out a breath."At least they would be."
By the time he'd explained—with the occasional interruption from Blane—what was going on, he felt exhausted.He'd already lived through it and told Blane all about it.Going through it a third time only made the situation look bleaker from where he was sitting.
Cash met his gaze and held it."Don't look so defeated.I don't think it's as bad as it seems right now."
"You don't?"
"I don't.And I think Blane landed on the right answer.Let her take a step back.Let her go back to the cottage.And you guys take your time.Just because the other guys moved faster than the speed of light when they got together with their women, it doesn't mean that you have to do the same thing.None of them were coming from the same place that you are.None of them had to think about anyone but themselves."He frowned."I have to say though, from everything Alana's told me, I thought she enjoyed having Harper around."
"It's not that she doesn't enjoy it.It's just...Having Harper staying with us temporarily to help out is one thing.Making it more permanent… And putting her in the role of mom.Especially with Tanya calling her Mama Bear like that—that’s something else."
Cash pursed his lips."Yeah, but you might be making a bigger deal out of it than you think.There could be a way to turn the whole Mama Bear thing to your advantage."
"Then go ahead, tell me how, because I'm not seeing it."
Cash leaned forward, and Blane caught Emmett's eye.They both knew that Cash was having one of his ideas.Emmett could only hope that it might be a good one.Even if it wasn't a magic wand.
~ ~ ~
"He wants to be her boyfriend," said Tanya.
Harper nodded as she watched through the windshield.Alana was talking to Tucker as all the kids emerged from the back of the theater.
"You don't need to worry, though.He's a good guy.Everyone says so."
She turned to smile at Tanya."They do?"
"Yeah, his family has a ranch up on the way to Clyde Park.Not a big place or anything.They're not rich.But they're good people.And Tucker’s kind to the little kids.He has younger brothers and sisters, so he knows."
That made Harper smile.
"He gets in trouble sometimes."
"What for?"
"Oh, nothing bad.He gets in fights, but only with bullies.He won't let them pick on anyone."
"That's good to know."
"Alana's worried that Dad won't like it if she goes out with him.I keep telling her it'll be fine though, don't you think?"
Harper didn't know what to think, and at this point she certainly wasn't going to voice an opinion.It wasn't her place.
"I'm sure they'll figure it out."
Alana had spotted them now and said goodbye to Tucker before hurrying over to climb in the backseat."Hey, Harper, how was your day?"
"It was fine.Thanks.How about you?How was rehearsal?"
