"You'll figure it out," said Shelley."But I think that just strengthens my case—that maybe you'll want the girls to come and stay with us one weekend."
Harper nodded."Maybe I will.But the last thing I want to do is oust them from their lives to give me more time with their dad."
"Oh, but it wouldn't be like that."
"I know.But I wouldn't even think about doing it until it stops feeling that way to me, because if it feels like that to me, it probably will to them as well."
"You're so good with them," said Shelley."You understand how they think."
"I don't know about that.But I can put myself in their shoes and imagine how I would feel.If I'd had my dad around after my mom was gone, I don't know that I would have been too happy to share him with someone new."
Shelley reached out to touch her arm, but Harper gave her a bright smile."I'm not dwelling on my situation.Just using the little knowledge I have about families."
She felt bad when Shelley simply nodded—there was nothing she could say.
"Sorry, I wasn't going for the sympathy vote."
"And you wouldn't get it.I know better than that, you'd hate it.So, what else is going on with you?How's work?"
"It really isn't at the moment."
"Oh, no.Do you think you're going to be able to make it work from here?"
"I don't know.I've talked with some of my authors and they'll be coming to me when they're ready to publish again.But who knows when that will be?"
"Is it a problem?Do you think you'll have to go back to New York?"
"I would if I wanted the full-time work."Harper took a sip of her coffee."But I'm not sure that I do."
"What else would you do then?"Shelley asked.
"That's the whole point.It's only dawned on me recently that I could keep on doing what I'm doing—just having a good time and enjoying myself.I don't need to work anymore.Not if I don't want to.I've invested well over the years."She smiled at her friend."Thanks to your good advice.And if I were to sell my apartment in New York…"
Shelley's eyes grew wide."You'd do that?"
"If I want to stay here, I'd be crazy not to.I could buy a whole ranch and still have enough left over to live on with what I'd get for that apartment."
"That's true.New York real estate's crazy, isn't it?"
"Crazy good in my case," said Harper.
"Well, whatever you decide to do about your apartment will come later.For right now I want to know when you and Emmett are going to see each other again."
"I don't know yet.I might run into him if he's home in the evening, after I drop the girls off.But other than that, it sounds like his schedule's crazy busy this week.We said we'll talk, but I don't know."
They both looked up when Rocket loomed over their table and set a plate full of pastries in front of them.He gave Harper a knowing smile."You could do me a favor if you like."
It wasn't like him to interrupt like that, but Harper thought the world of him."Of course, what do you need?I'll be happy to help."
He chuckled."You could make a delivery for me if you wouldn't mind."
She exchanged a puzzled look with Shelley."Sure, I mean...Did you just hear me say that I'm not working much these days?Are you trying to keep me out of mischief?"
"No.What I overheard—and you can kick my ass for me if you like, I shouldn't be interfering, but I can't help it.What I overheard was that you don't know when you'll get to see Emmett again."He pointed at the plate of pastries in the middle of the table."Those are for you, ladies.But my Janey was feeling a bit down when she went out to work this morning, and I thought a delivery of some cookies would be just the thing to cheer her up."
"Aww.You might look like a big tough guy, but you're the sweetest, aren't you?"
He scowled at her and he probably looked formidable, even scary, to most people, but Harper could see the twinkle in his eye.
