Page 76 of The Pilot

Harper was speechless for a moment—then she laughed. She couldn’t help it. Before Linc could get offended, she rushed to explain what was so funny. “Linc, there’s no way in hell my father could ever do or say anything that would turn either of us against you.”

“He’s your father,” Linc said softly. “I don’t want to come between the two of you.”

“We’ve always had a complicated relationship,” Harper explained. “He’s overly judgmental, wants things done his way. He’s competitive and grouchy and isn’t afraid to say what’s on his mind, no matter who he hurts in the process. But he’s still my dad. The only one I have. He might not understand me or agree with the decisions I’ve made, but when push comes to shove, I have no doubt he’d bend over backward to help me. Regardless . . . he’s not going to turn us against you, because both Kash and I love you. We see the man you are, and nothing my dad can say or do will change that.”

“I don’t want you to lose him because of me.”

“If he decides to continue to hold this grudge, he’ll lose us because he’s being a stubborn, stupid asshole. Not because of you,” Harper said firmly. “It’s going to take time, Linc. He’s got to come to terms with our relationship, because I’m not giving you up. If he makes me choose? It won’t be a hard choice. I’d choose you every time. And I know Kash feels the same.”

She watched as Linc swallowed several times, trying to control his emotions.

“Just don’t give up on him,” she said quietly. “I know he’s not the most pleasant person to hang out with, but I think if we give him time, maybe lots and lots of time, eventually he’ll come around. He’ll see the kind of man you are, just as I have.”

“For the record, I don’t want his land. I’ve got my hands full with my own house and land. I love where we live, and as much as I adore my mom, I don’t want to move in next door.”

Harper smiled at that. “I know,” she reassured him. “But thank you for telling me.”

“Needed to give you a heads-up. The texts from him to Kash might stop for a while. And he’s probably going to give you the silent treatment too.”

“I can handle him, and I’ll talk to Kash. He’s old enough to understand how his grandfather is. He lived with him for a while too.”

“I don’t want to come between him and his grandfather either,” Linc said with a small frown.

“You won’t. You know how protective Kash is. Of me, and of you too. And he inherited the stubborn gene from both my dad and me. Once he hears that my dad wasn’t very nice to you, he’ll refuse to talk to him until he apologizes. That’s just how he is.”

“He’s amazing,” Linc said softly.

“Yeah.”

“Harper?”

“Hmmm?”

“This weekend, when Kash is at his robotics thing . . .”

“What about it?” Harper asked, when Linc didn’t finish his sentence.

“I’m gonna show you exactly how much I love you. In our room, your old room, the living room, on the kitchen table, the kitchen counter . . . I want you to remember me saying ‘I love you,’ and showing you how much, everywhere you look in our house.”

Harper’s nipples immediately tightened, and she squirmed in her seat. “I can’t wait,” she said, with a small smile.

She loved her son with everything she was, but she couldn’t deny she was looking forward to a couple of days in the house alone with Linc. They wouldn’t have to hold back because Kash might see or hear them. Even though the kid didn’t mind them being together, was thrilled actually, that didn’t necessarily mean he enjoyed seeing them being all lovey-dovey and kissing and stuff. So him being gone would give both her and Linc a chance to express themselves fully.

Linc held out his hand, and Harper took it without hesitation. They held hands the rest of the way back to the house.

Chapter Sixteen

“Text your mom when you get to Portland,” Linc told Kash before he left for school the next morning.

“I will.”

“And if you aren’t too engrossed, let us know how things are going too,” Harper said.

“Moooooom. I’m gonna be busy. We have to strategize and make adjustments after each fight,” Kash complained.

Linc smiled at that. Kash might be protective of his mom, but he was also nearly a teenager. Other things in his life were becoming more important, which he approved of. A twelve-year-old shouldn’t be worried about their mom every second of the day. If she was working too hard or getting enough to eat. He was finally relaxing enough to be a kid. Which Linc thought was healthy.

“I know. Just try to answer when I text, okay?”