Page 88 of Capture The Moment

Chapter 20

Finn. Loved. Her. Those were the first words that sprang to mind when Harper woke up the following morning, still naked under the sheet. And then, patting the space beside her, she discovered that he wasn’t there. Peering at the clock on her bedside table, she saw that it was already seven thirty, and she realized he’d probably left for work a long time ago.

Suddenly, she bolted upright. Work! She had an appointment at nine o’clock in downtown Clarkston! Throwing off the sheet, she padded naked into the bathroom and flicked on the light. There, propped up amongst her massive array of hair products, was a note from Finn, written in his large, bold scrawl.

Fed Petunia. Loved waking up next to you. Love, Finn.

Straight to the point as always. Staring at the words “Love, Finn” reminded her of when he’d said them to her last night. They were words that she’d never expected to hear from him, or anybody else for a long time, if ever. The words rolled around in her head as she took a fast shower, dressed, and went downstairs.

Daisy was in the kitchen looking well fed and content, and Harper scooped her up and squeezed her tight. “Did Finn take care of you? Huh, girl?”

Do dogs smile? Because Harper swore that Daisy did. Setting her back down, Harper quickly made herself a bowl of oatmeal and slurped down a glass of milk. And then she picked up her cell phone from the kitchen counter where she’d left it the night before.

She smiled when she saw that Finn had sent her several text messages between five and seven that morning, in the following order:

Kissed you goodbye, but you didn’t budge.

Thought about waking you for a quickie.

Might have taken a peek or two under the sheet.

Would love to see you tonight if you’re free.

I love you.

She didn’t notice she had one hand over her heart until the phone rang and she had to remove it to answer.

“Why didn’t you?” she said in lieu of hello.

“Why didn’t I what?”

“Wake me up for a quickie.”

Finn laughed. “Believe me, it was a tough call, but you looked so peaceful lying there that I hated to disturb you.”

“I never even heard you leave.”

“Tell me about it. I knocked over your impressive supply of beauty products on the bathroom counter, and you didn’t even budge.”

“So, I like to collect beauty products. It’s a girl thing.”

“You’re beautiful without all that stuff.”

She almost said, “How do you know?” but then she remembered that he’d seen her without makeup plenty of times, and now he’d even seen her with morning bedhead.

“Thank you,” she said.

“Be right there!” Finn yelled to someone in the background. “Sorry. I need to get back to work. Just wanted to say good morning.”

“Good morning.”

“Can I see you tonight?”

“Love to.”

“Love you,” he said and then disconnected before she could say another word.

She pulled into the parking lot of A New Chapter at five minutes before nine, grabbed her Vera Bradley tote bag off the passenger seat, and hurried to the front door. The store didn’t open until ten, but Kelly and Emma had asked her to meet them there beforehand so they could talk business.