"Exactly," said Libby."As much as we'd love to see you here, you have more important things to spend your time on."
Frankie grinned at her."I know I'm not supposed to ask about you and Emmett, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you guys."
"Thanks.That's all I'm going to say."Harper checked her watch.
"Are you picking the girls up today?"Libby asked.
"No, Cash is going for them.I said I would, but this was one of the few chances when he knew he'd be able to go.Apparently, they have a tradition of going to the diner in town for milkshakes when they can."
Libby smiled."Yeah, that's a longstanding tradition.I know the girls miss you when they don't see you, but Cash isn't a bad consolation prize."
"Does this mean you're coming to the bakery with us?"Frankie asked."It is Friday afternoon, after all."
"I think so," said Harper."I'm going to stop and check in with Jim first, see if he wants to come."
"Well, bring him if he does," said Libby."But get yourself down there, even if he doesn't.You miss too many of the Friday gatherings because you're usually with Alana and Tanya.You should make the most of not having them this week."
"I'll see," Harper told her.
Once she was back on the road, she only hesitated for a few moments before telling her phone to call Emmett.There was no reason that she shouldn't call the man.Although, as she waited for him to pick up, she drummed her fingers on the steering wheel.
He'd probably be busy with work.She could leave him a message, tell him that she just wanted to say hi—that'd be okay, wouldn't it?
All the tension left her shoulders when he answered, "Hey, Harper, this is a nice surprise.You made my day.What's going on?"
"Aww, that's a lovely thing to say."
He chuckled."Glad to hear it.I'll make a note and be sure to say it again.It just came out because it's true."
She laughed."There's no need to make a note.It felt good to hear because it was spontaneous.I don't want you starting to build yourself a checklist of things you're supposed to say and do."
He chuckled."Yeah, sorry, I didn't mean that how it sounded.But anyway, what's going on?"
"Not much.I just finished my riding lesson with Frankie.I'm on my way back to Jim's place and..."She glanced at the clock."And I wondered if you were busy.I'm going to be passing the clinic here shortly.I could stop in and say hi if you have a few minutes."
She could hear the smile in his voice when he said, "Yeah, I have a few minutes.It'd be good to see you.I'd like that."
"Awesome.It won't take me long."She glanced over at her purse on the passenger seat."Oh, and I can drop off the makeup I picked up in town for Alana."She chuckled."If you didn't sound happy to hear from me, I was going to use that as my excuse for calling."
"You don't need an excuse to call me, Harper.And hey, if it feels that way, I'm sorry I don't call you more.It's just that with work..."
"No, no, I didn't mean it like that.I just—I didn't want to embarrass myself or make either of us feel like I'm asking for too much of your time."
"You're not.I wish we could find more time.Time for us, you know.The girls get to hang out with you so much, and I feel like I'm missing out."
"Aww, another sweet thing to say.But I get it, it's because you're working.Although, just so we're clear, I feel like I'm missing out on time with you, too.But you have work and the girls.You're a busy Papa Bear," she added with a laugh.
When he didn't laugh with her, she bit down on her bottom lip.She hadn't called him that in a while.In fact, not since that night, when she'd gone and messed things up.Now, she'd gone and relaxed too much and forgotten.
"Hey, Emmett—"
"Listen, Harper, can I call you back later?I...I just—I need to check on something."
"But… I'll be there in a few minutes."
"No, don't come.I'll call you later."
She leaned back in her seat when the call ended abruptly.Shoot.She blew out a sigh, surprised that she'd offended him so easily.She thought things had gotten more relaxed between the two of them, but apparently not.She gripped the steering wheel tight as she approached the turnoff for the clinic.
