"Neither can I.And maybe I'll find an excuse to come over before then.Or maybe you'll find that you need something, or the girls do.And Emmett, you must promise you'll call me if you need anything at all, anything that I can do."
He reached up to trail his fingers down her cheek.
"Don't look at me like that," she said as she covered his hand with her own."You'll make me cry.You're still allowed to need me, you know, even though I'm not here."
He rested his forehead against hers and looked down into her eyes."It's not about need, Harper.I need to get that through to you.Yeah, I've needed you.I don't know what we would have done without you.But like you said this morning, the needs have fallen away now.What's left is want.And I do want you; I need you to be clear about that."
He hadn't meant it that way.But when her pupils dilated and a hint of pink touched her cheeks, he shifted in his seat.He had to laugh when she waggled her eyebrows and said, "I'm glad to hear it.I'm looking forward to you being healed enough for that part."
He chuckled and pressed another kiss to her lips."I am, too."
~ ~ ~
As she drove back to the cottage, Harper stared out through the windshield at the mountains.She was...happy.Coming back here to the cottage was the right move, even if it did feel like a loss of sorts right now.When she stopped to think about it, this was a very sensible move.And she wasn't just telling herself that as some kind of consolation, that she wouldn't be sleeping under the same roof as Emmett and the girls anymore.It was true.
Things had moved so fast.Because of the circumstances, they'd behaved like a family.She was right there, and Emmett couldn't do for himself.Of course she'd stepped into the role, but in the grand scheme of things, it made more sense for her to grow into the role, naturally.
Tanya would be fine, no matter what happened.But Alana had been far more open than Harper had believed.And Emmett...she knew she was wearing a big, goofy smile, but she didn't care.Emmett loved her — and she loved him.
She looked up at the sky.It wasn't dark yet.The sunset was still fading, but the first few stars were starting to appear.She gave a little wave through the windshield."Don't worry, Emily.I'll do my best to take care of him and your girls."
She doubted anyone would believe her.But that one big star seemed to twinkle brightly back at her.
She didn't need anyone to believe her.It wasn't as though she'd ever tell anyone.
She smiled.Although, maybe one day she would.Maybe she'd tell Emmett.And maybe she'd tell the girls.And then again, maybe not.
Everything seemed quiet up at Jim's house when she passed.But when she turned into the small driveway of the cottage, she was surprised to see a truck parked there — Blane.
Her heart sank.She wanted to believe what Emmett had said — that if Blane wasn't happy with her, she'd know about it.But perhaps that's why he was here; perhaps he'd come to tell her.
She sat up a little straighter.She had to stop doing that.Had to stop waiting for the other shoe to drop.Okay, it had been her reality throughout her time in foster care as a kid.And life had come back to kick her ass regularly ever since.But at some point, she needed to start trusting people.Believing in them.And as she parked her truck next to Blane's, she could only hope that Blane would prove her wrong to doubt.
Blane got out of his truck and came around to stand by the hood of hers.
"Hi, Blane."
"Hi, Harper."
"What can I do for you?"she asked with a wary smile.
"I said I'd call you about tickets for Friday night.But I was passing, and I thought this might be a good time to talk to you."
"What?You thought it’d be a good time because I wasn't here, so you decided to sit and wait?"
He barked out a laugh."Okay, so I'll give it to you straight.I figured you'd be back here tonight, and I wanted to make sure that you're all right."
She had to swallow a couple of times.
Blane frowned."Hey, if I'm overstepping, you can say so.I can leave.I only meant—"
She held her hand up."No, please don't take it back now.My reaction isn't because I don't want you here.It's because..."Her lip trembled."Oh, screw it.I'm just going to say it.You took me by surprise in the best way.Thank you, Blane.It means the world to me that you'd come by like this.Emmett said that he'd … talked to you."
She couldn't bring herself to say that Emmett had told him he loved her.But Blane's small nod acknowledged that he knew exactly what she meant.
"I'll be honest.I didn't know how you'd feel about it."
"I'll be honest back.I didn't know how I wanted to feel about it--about you in the beginning.I don't beat around the bush.And I won't about this — Emily and I were close."He frowned."Shit, that sounds wrong.I don't mean anything like that.I mean...we're the ones who know Emmett the best."He sighed."I mean, knew.Emily knew him.I know him."
