Page 46 of Seeing Harper

Harper nodded, opened her door and got out of her car. “I’ll talk to you later then.”

“Yeah. You will,” he said as he got out and walked around to her side of the car.

“Thanks for lunch, and for… everything.”

Clay pulled her in to his arms, hugging her and sending waves of comfort to her. “No, thank you. Absolutely perfect couple of days with one of my very favorite people. I needed this.”

Harper hugged him closer for a few seconds then stepped back.

“Was pretty great,” she said, but she didn’t sound happy.

“Look, I can’t explain how at the moment, but I know everything is going to be okay. Don’t let your dad get inside your head. Just focus on what you want for your future, and don’t waiver from it. It’ll all work out. Believe me when I say it. Just don’t lose sight of what it is you want. It’ll happen.”

Harper nodded, then hugged him again quickly before she started walking toward the house. She nodded as she smiled at him, but he could tell it wasn’t real, it was just for his benefit. “So, I’ll hear from you when you decide what you’re doing?”

“Yes, you will.”

“Drive safe whenever you go, okay? I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“I will. And you take care of you no matter what you’re doing. I’ll be back in a few weeks after finals. I’ll keep in touch, though, when I can.”

“I will. And I’d wish you good luck on your tests, but you don’t need it. You never did,” she said, rolling her eyes to make him laugh before she went inside.

Chapter 9

Libby closed their front door and narrowed her eyes as she sized up her husband leaning against the wall beside the door. “What are you doing?”

“Eavesdropping,” he said shamelessly.

“What is wrong with you?”

“Can’t you hear her? She’s out there acting like I’m ruining her life because I’m trying to set her up for life.”

“No, I can’t — human, remember? And set her up for life?”

“Yes. She’s going to inherit this place, and she’s acting like it’s such a burden. And Clay’s out there just feeding into her ‘poor me’ act. He’s not helping, Libs. He’s telling her not to lose sight of what she wants in life, and basically to tune me out because it can’t be easy having to deal with me. All he’s doing is making it worse. He’s trying to help her sound justified in complaining because how dare we want to give her a guaranteed income.”

“Let me ask you something.”

“Shoot,” he said haughtily as he moved from the wall to lean against the door itself again and pressed his ear against it to better hear.

“How did you feel when you your father told you you’d be inheriting this place?”

“It was never a question, I always knew I would take over. And I was thankful.”

“Thankful, is that why you decided to join the military and travel halfway around the world?” she asked, clearly calling him out on his bullshit.

His head whipped in her direction and he stared into her eyes.

“Yeah, I was here, remember? I know how you felt.”

“It’s a gift, damn it, Libs. If I’d just have listened to my father, I might still have my leg.”

“Your leg has nothing to do with her life. Leave her alone, Travis. Leave Clay alone. Mind your business.”

“She is my business. This place is my business, our business. I thought this thing with Clay would keep her at home and make her see what it is that she has, but I’m not so sure anymore. He’s not encouraging her to accept her future.” He pressed his ear against the door again even closer.

“I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what he’s doing, but it’s her future he’s concerned about, not yours through her,” Libby snapped as she walked away from him.