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“I was wondering when you would call.” Strange how a voice could make your body shiver like crazy. Even thousands of miles away, Martha Hayes had that affect on her.
“Hello, Grandmother. How are you?”
“As well as can be expected.” Her voice was terse. “I received your letter. I expect you want me to congratulate you.”
Harper licked her dry lips. “I don’t have any expectations.”
“Well that’s good. I’ve learned over the years they’re rarely met. Especially when it comes to family.” Her grandmother clicked her tongue. “What is it you want, Harper? Money?”
“No. I don’t need money. I just thought you should know. This baby’s your great grandchild, after all. Your flesh and blood.”
“From the way she was conceived I’d say she takes more after your mother’s side.”
Yeah, Harper had been expecting that. Even still, it stung.
“Are you planning on getting married?” her grandmother asked.
“No. The father and I are just friends.”
A long sigh. “I thought nobody could top your mother, but you’ve managed to. At least she married my son before you were born, even if it was a close run thing.”
“Have you heard from Mom?” Harper asked, ignoring the tightness in her chest. “I’ve tried contacting her but I think she’s out of the country.”
“I spoke to her last week. She asked for money, of course. And I told her about the baby.”
“You did?”
“Yes. But then she started telling me about her latest boyfriend and we got off track.” Another sigh. “I need to go now. My bridge club starts at three. Was there anything else you wanted?”
Harper pulled her lip between her teeth, wincing as they dug into the soft flesh. She wasn’t going to invite her to the shower. She wasn’t sure she could endure another rejection. “Um, no.”
“Very well then. Thank you for calling.” It was a dismissal. Harper’d had enough of those over her life to recognize it.
“Shall I call you when the baby’s born?” Harper asked her. “So you know?”
“If you want. It’s completely up to you. Goodbye, Harper. And good luck. I have a feeling you might need it.”
Harper put her phone down and took a deep breath, but it did nothing to stem the flow of tears.
She shouldn’t have called. It only hurt her when she did. There were some things that could never be mended, no matter how hard you tried.
At least she had the baby. That was something. And she had Caitie and Ember and all their friends, too.
And then there was James. She wasn’t sure what was going to ha
ppen with him, but she knew he’d always be in their baby’s life, supporting her the way Harper had never been supported.
For that she was truly thankful.
20
“Can you believe it?” Caitie asked, squeezing Harper’s hand. “It feels like only yesterday we were at Ember’s baby shower, and now we’re doing it all over again for you.” They walked into the elegant lobby of the Silver Sands Resort Hotel, where they’d hired an event room for the party. It had been a toss up between the hotel and the Beach Club, but in the end Harper had chosen the hotel. It seemed right, since that was where this baby had begun.
Harper grinned when she saw the sign on the front desk. Baby Hayes-Tanner’s Shower – Main Ballroom. “I can’t believe it’s only ten weeks until this little lady arrives,” she admitted. “The past couple of months have flown by. I’ve been so busy trying to get everything done I don’t feel like I’ve had time to breathe.”
She’d moved most of her things into the new apartment, though her sewing machines and dresses were still in James’s basement. She’d agreed to keep working there until the baby arrived. That way she could decorate the apartment without worrying about ruining her work. And then there was James. When she wasn’t working or decorating, she was spending time with him.
She smiled as she remembered how he’d come straight to Caitie’s apartment after she’d spoken to her grandmother. He’d gathered Harper in his arms and held her tightly, wiping her tears away with soft fingers. His tender kisses and sweet words had almost made up for the hurt that telephone call had inflicted.
