He surprised the hell out of Harper when he dropped his head and toed at the gravel, looking for all the world like a big kid.
"But yeah.I didn't know what to make of you at first.And I guess, like the girls, I didn't know how to let someone new in.Didn't want it for myself, and didn't want to see Mitty in that place — with someone at his side who isn't Em.But that was in the beginning.I've had some time to get used to the idea.And..."He smiled."And you make him happy, Harper.You're good for the girls.And that's what it's all about."He smiled."And you're a piece of work and I like that about you."
She laughed out loud at that."Oh, thank you.That might be my favorite compliment ever."
He chuckled."Good.Because it's the only kind you'll ever get from me."
"Thanks, Blane, I figured as much.Do you want to come in?I have groceries I need to put away.They're in cooler bags, but they've been sitting out a few hours now."
"Sure."He followed her to the back of her truck and grabbed most of the bags for her.When she started to protest, he cocked an eyebrow, and she laughed.
"Okay, you win this one.I'll just say thanks, then."
"It'd make life easier for both of us."
"Then, thank you."
Once they were inside, he leaned back against the counter while she put things away."The reason I was waiting here when you got back is that I knew you'd be staying here again tonight.Emmett said you'd already decided.And then we ran into Cash later, and he said he'd seen you back here with your bags."
She rolled her eyes."Jim did warn me that gossip spreads like wildfire around here."
Blane scowled."He's not wrong, but in this case it's not gossip."
She raised her eyebrows."Oh, I'm sorry, are you telling me that you big tough Navy SEAL guys are above gossip?"
"Far from it.The guys are way worse than the women a lot of the time.But in this particular case it's about concern, not gossip.You're important to Emmett.So, you're important to me now."
She stared at him for a moment, not knowing how she felt about that.
"I know that sounds like a shitty thing to say.But it's the truth so don’t take offense.It seems to me that at some point down the road, probably not so far, you'll be important to me for who you are as well.But this is how it begins," he said with a shrug.
"Fair enough.And I'm not offended.It might not be the warm and fuzzy welcome that I'd like to hear.But I know how meaningless those are.I prefer the truth.At least that way I know where I stand."
"You were a foster kid, right?"
She nodded.
He held her gaze for a long moment."I know the women already see you as one of their own.And now that Emmett does, the guys will draw you in, too.And there's one thing about this family of ours.Once you're in it, you're in for life.Nobody's going to pull this rug out from under you, Harper."
She inhaled sharply.
"Shit, yeah, he told me about that.I shouldn't have used his words and given him away, should I?"
She had to laugh."No, it's okay.I'm glad that he has you to talk to."
"He does.And you do now, too.Anything you need me for, I'm here."
"Thank you, Blane.So I can come at you with all my chit-chat, can I?"
He smiled through pursed lips."I'm not going to bother to answer that with anything buttry itand see.Are you all set up with everything you need back here?"He looked around the cottage."I knew you had to be good people since Jim let you live here."
"He's a good man.I adore him."
"He is.And a good judge of character, too.Can I do anything for you before I get out of your hair?"
"I'm good, thanks."
"I'll go then.You have my number.Use it if you ever need it.I'm no shrink, but I know Emmett better than most people."
