He’d never lie to her, so he said, “I was thinking about how we can make this work.”
She sighed as she curled her arm around his waist. “It’s so damn frustrating. I want to be with you. You know that, but—”
“You need a purpose, and a way to take care of yourself. I know.”
It would be easy if Harper was like one of the many women he’d dated over the years, content to live off his millions. But if she was like that… she wouldn’t be Harper. Strong, independent and the kind of woman he’d be proud to call his wife and the mother of his children.
“Let me ask you something,” he said, linking his hand with hers. “If we got married, everything I have would be ours, not just mine. Would you be okay with us paying off your student loans then?”
She shook her head. “No, no way. You earned that money and—”
“Dammit, Harper.”
He was trying to rein in his frustration, but she wasn’t making it easy. Money meant so little to him now that he had plenty, and he refused to allow that to be the thing that came between them. He understood her need for a career, but it was stupid for her to work her sweet ass off paying back her student loans when she didn’t have to.
She raised her head, looking him in the eye. “You really don’t get it, do you? Why this is so important to me?”
He wanted to, but he couldn’t understand how she could claim to love him so much and not let him do this for her. “Honestly? No, I don’t. If you let me pay off your student loans, that would be one less thing for you to worry about. You could move in with me, so you wouldn’t have to worry about living expenses, and you could take your time finding a job.”
Even as he suggested it, he knew that plan would never fly. Harper wasn’t looking for a knight in shining armour to rescue her. She wanted an equal partner, and that meant she had to feel she was contributing as much to their relationship as he was. Little did she know she’d already given him so much more than she realized. She’d made him happy again, and that was priceless.
“I can’t.” She closed her eyes as she fell back against her pillow. “I know you think I’m being difficult, but put yourself in my position. How would you feel about yourself if I was the one making all the money, offering to…” She cleared her throat before wincing, “Ugh, rescue you?” Her hand flew up before he could respond. “You don’t even have to say it. I already know. You’d hate it.”
When she put it like that, of course he would. But he didn’t see their situation the way she did. He’d grown up dirt poor and his real estate business gave him financial security, plain and simple. His tattoo shop satisfied his creative spirit. But Harper, she soothed his soul. She made all of the pieces in his life fit together, where before they’d just been a bunch of jagged edges, some too big, others too small. But she served as the anchor that all other pieces slid into effortlessly. He only wished he fit into her life as easily.
She rolled on to her side, facing him. “Deke, when I’m in the classroom, with those kids, I feel alive.” She smiled. “Seeing their little faces in the morning brightens my day. Their questions, their curiosity and excitement about learning…” Her smile spread, making her eyes sparkle. “It’s what I was born to do. Even the bad days are better than the best days at any other job I’ve ever had. Can you understand that?”
“Of course.” He felt the same way about his work. Seeing his work of art decorating someone’s skin, knowing it would be with them every day for the rest of their lives, gave him a sense of satisfaction that no other job ever could. Real estate made him rich, but being a tattoo artist made him who he was.
He linked his hand through hers. “I love that you’re so passionate about what you do, baby.” He leaned in, kissing her. “Seeing you with my nephew, it’s obvious that you’re amazing with kids. And I am sure that your students are crazy about you, year after year. But I’m crazy about you too.” It had been years since he’d laid it on the line with anyone, not since his last go ‘round with Harper. And it was scary as hell. “But they don’t need you. I do.”
“I need you too.” She curled her hand around his jaw, rubbing her thumb over his stubble. She sighed. “But I checked my phone when you were in the washroom just now and the interview requests have started rolling in.”
That was the last thing he wanted to hear. “Oh yeah? Don’t suppose there’s anything nearby?” Stupid question. Her eyes wouldn’t be filling with tears if she planned to stay in Carlton. “Guess not.”
“I hate to do this,” she said, swiping at the tears sliding down her cheeks. “But, um, do you think Mrs. Reynolds could watch Drew for a few days so I could go to these interviews? I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important, but I really do need a job come fall.”
He couldn’t hold her in Carlton against her will, as much as he might want to. “Yeah sure, don’t worry about us. I’ve got it covered.”
***
Six interviews in three days and Harper was still reeling. They’d gone well. Really well. She had no doubt she’d be getting call backs. More interviews. Probably a job offer in a few short weeks. A job offer that would take her hundreds of miles away from the man she loved. Her best friend. And the life she could have if she had the courage to stay. But what kind of life would it be if she was penniless, drowning in debt, and totally dependent on Deke for everything?
She was meeting Jude for coffee after an early morning text from her best friend demanding they meet as soon as Harper got back to town. She felt bad for not going to relieve Mrs. Reynolds right away, but after texting Deke she learned Drew was having a play date with friends.
“Thank God you’re back,” Jude said, looking stressed as she sat down across from Harper at a booth in the back of the town’s one and only diner. “I didn’t want to talk to you about this over the phone, but I have the best news!” She paused. “Well, I think it’s good news. I hope you’ll think so too. I know it’s not—”
“Would you spit it out already?” Harper didn’t mean to snap, but she was tired and confused, and already missing Deke like crazy. They hadn’t spoken since she left and she didn’t know what kind of reception to expect when he got home from work.
“Sorry.” Jude took a deep breath. “So I have a client who runs a day care centre in Lamar. It’s more of a pre-school, really. Kids aged 3-5, I think she said.”
“Go on.” Harper was trying not to get too excited, but she knew Jude would never set her up for disappointment.
“She’s a bit older. Close to retirement age, and she’s had the centre for, like, twenty years.”
“Uh huh.”
“She’s looking for someone to manage it, maybe take it over in a year or two.” Jude squeezed her hand. “Can you believe that? I told her all about you and she said you sound perfect! So, the job’s yours, if you want it?”
