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I look up at her.
We’d hoped he hadn’t asked you yet so that we could get to you first. She looks at my dad again.
What did you hear?
Mom sips her coffee then sets it down. Hudson was spotted with Harper at a jewelry store in Anchorage a few days ago. The person thought Hudson was with Harper, but I knew that wasn’t true.
Harper, of all people, knows how I feel about marriage. Why didn’t she clue him in? Or me for that matter?
Which is what has spurred our surprise visit. We wanted to see where your head was, Dad signs.
I messed up big time when he asked me. I’m sorry that I’m such a basket case.
You know that’s not it, Palmer. We take responsibility for you and your trust issues. We’re trying to guide you in the right direction, my mom signs.
Hudson is a good man. He loves you?—
I put up my hand to cut off my dad. I don’t need a lecture or a talking-to. I told him no, but I’m going to rectify that as soon as he gets home. I have a plan, and it entails us coming out.
“But, honey—” My dad thinks I’m still that pissed-off fourteen-year-old who googled his name and found out the truth. And maybe I was her for way too long. But not anymore.
No, Dad. I’m over it. You’re right. Hudson is a great man, and I love him. And wearing his ring and holding his name isn’t so we can prove it to other people. It’s about belonging to someone. I see now that’s why he asked me. I was just a little late on the uptick as usual.
My parents laugh, and my mom’s head falls back, a deep relieved breath flowing out of her.
That’s good to hear. But are you sure he’ll take you back? My mom looks concerned.
My dad chuckles harder, grabbing her hand. “He’ll take her back. That’s love, forgiving one another. Right, lass?”
My mom gets all googly-eyed at my dad and nods. “That’s right.”
Now we can have the danishes. My dad opens the bag they brought.
“I’ll grab a plate.” Mom gets up from the table and heads to the cupboard.
Movement outside draws my attention, and I see Harper’s car pull up in the driveway.
“Perfect timing, here’s Adley.” I go to the back door and step out, but only Harper gets out of the vehicle. Her gaze goes to my left hand, and her shoulders sink. I have so much to tell her when Adley goes down for her nap. “Where is she?”
“I dropped her at my parents’. I tried to go to yours, but they’re here, I see.”
Something about her tone and the way she’s dodging eye contact sets me on edge. “Harper, what’s going on?”
“Let’s go inside.” She walks by me and opens the back door.
“Harp?”
She disappears inside. I follow her, wondering why my daughter isn’t here and what the hell is going on. By the time I reach the dining room, Harper is whispering to my dad in the dining room. His face falls, and he grabs his keys off the table.
“Sedona!” he calls.
Mom comes running into the room.
“What’s going on?” I ask, looking between them all.
Harper looks at my dad, and he looks at my mom.
“What is it, Jamison?” my mom asks, grabbing my hand. She must have the same gut feeling I do that something horrible has happened.
