Page 45 of Seeing Harper

“Yeah, we did,” Harper said through her rolled down windows.

“Must be nice,” Travis said as he walked between the front of Harper’s car and the house, having just checked the gates on the fields of growing trees to be sure they were all secure, before returning inside.

“Dad…” Harper said warningly, shaking her head.

“What? I’m just saying it’s late. You worked for old man Bigsby all day long. Must be nice having someone devoted to your business other than yourself. I’m sure it’s a good feeling,” Travis said, glaring at Harper over his shoulder before he stepped through the front door and closed it behind himself. He didn’t slam it, but it wasn’t closed quietly either.

Harper sighed again, but this time it wasn’t due to physical fatigue, it was more emotional exhaustion.

“I’m sorry he doesn’t get it,” Clay said.

“It’s okay. I resigned myself to the fact that I’ll never have his support on anything that isn’t his idea a long time ago.”

“Doesn’t mean it makes it any easier to deal with, I’m sure,” Clay said.

“He doesn’t care. All he wants is me to take over this damn tree farm. Doesn’t matter what I want, what I feel, what I need. ‘Just keep the trees going! You can’t let all I’ve worked for, all our family worked for disappear. And what about the community? The town? They depend on us. Make sure you keep the community happy — they’re depending on you during the holidays, Harper!’ I’m so tired of having to be him. He chose this life, not me. It’s like I don’t matter. I feel like the only reason they had me is to become his replica when he can’t do it anymore.” Tears started to sting her eyes and she turned away from Clay while she blinked them quickly away.

Clay pulled her in to his arms, hugging her and sending waves of comfort to her. “It’s going to be okay. I promise.”

“Yeah, I know,” she said, but she didn’t sound convinced.

“Look, I can’t explain how at the moment, but I know it’s going to be okay. Just focus on that. Believe me when I say it. Just don’t lose sight of what it is you want. It’ll happen.”

Harper nodded, then squeezed him a little tighter before she pulled away from him. She gave him a half-hearted smiled, but he could tell it wasn’t real, it was just for his benefit. She pulled herself together enough to redirect their conversation. “So, maybe you’ll remember to let me know if you decide to go home tonight or tomorrow?”

“You want to know when I’m leaving?” he asked with a smirk.

“Yes. And I’d like to know when you get there, too. So I won’t worry.”

“I can do that,” he said.

They sat quietly for a few seconds, then Clay turned just enough in his seat to look directly at her. “Do you forgive me?”

“Oh, I can find my way to forgiving you, especially since you said it was because you cared about me. But I’m not so sure Summer will feel the same way. I mean, she was punished just because she’s my friend.”

“Do you really have to tell her? She’s kind of mean. It could be our little secret. Something we worked out between the two of us,” he suggested half playfully.

“See, that’s the thing about me. I’m all loyal if you’re my friend. I don’t lie, not even by omission, because that’s how I want them to be with me. I have no choice but to tell her.”

“Yeah, I figured. And that’s actually one of the things I always admired about you.”

She smiled at him. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

The front door opened again and Libby stepped out. “Harper, Summer is still waiting. I can tell her you’ll call her back.”

“No, thanks. I’m coming right now, Mom.”

Libby went back inside, and Clay reached for Harper’s hand. “I want you to know that you mean so much to me.”

“Me, too. And I want you to know that I know you didn’t plan or mean for anything…”

Clay’s hand shot out and he pressed a finger to her lips, then shot a warning look toward the house to remind her that her father was probably listening. He leaned forward and whispered in her ear. “He’s probably listening to every word. We’ll talk more about it later when there’s no chance of anybody overhearing us.”

Harper nodded. “I’m going to go inside. Summer’s probably pacing a hole in her living room carpet waiting for me to answer her call.”

“Okay. Take care of you, Harper. I’ll let you know when I’m leaving.”