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Chapter14
HARPER
“Me? You think I’m to blame for Aria going missing?” She could barely believe her ears.
It was a wholly inadequate response. She understood how the news of Landon marrying some random chick in Vegas could set the kid off. But she couldn’t understand why Tomás seemed good with the situation. Before she could press the man, the crunch of feet hitting gravel caught her attention.
“I’m sorry we have to meet on such a chaotic day, Harper,” Bess sputtered, coming toward her. “And aren’t you sweet? Look, Tomás, our daughter-in-law brought treats.”
Daughter-in-law?
Her brain came back online and re-sent the “yes,you’re their daughter-in-law because you married their foster son”memo.
She studied her in-laws. Landon wasn’t kidding about his foster parents being open-minded. They didn’t seem upset about Landon’s change in marital status. They were downright welcoming. She glanced at the stolen bonbons. “I grabbed what was available. What can I do to help? Tomás tells me Aria is still missing.”
“Our sweet, spirited girl,” Bess replied and pressed her hand to her chest. “Change is hard, and she’s endured more than her share. But it’ll be dark soon, and we can’t have her out alone.”
“Let’s spread out and recheck Aria’s favorite spots,” Landon offered, peering down a path that led into a swath of dense foliage.
“Harper, could you wait on the porch while we walk the property?” Tomás asked. “We’d be so grateful if you could keep an eye out for her. You can’t miss her. She looks like she’s been living in a foxhole, and she may growl at you.”
Now that was a description.
After seeing the child on the video call, she couldn’t disagree with the characterization.
Bess rested her hand on Landon’s arm. “Honey, can you check the trail that runs along the stream?”
“I was planning on it,” he answered, worry creasing his brow.
“Tomás, you and I…”
“Can walk the ridge,” the man supplied, taking his wife’s hand.
“Are you sure you don’t mind waiting here on your own?” Landon asked. Pain welled in his eyes.
Her heart ached for him. “I don’t mind at all. Go do what you need to do.”
“Thank you,” he said on a relieved exhale, then cupped her cheek in his hand and pressed a kiss to her lips as if that was how they said goodbye.
Like they hada goodbyeroutine—or any routine, for that matter. But even more surprising than the quick peck was how natural it felt. It wasn’t forced or awkward. She relaxed into it, pushing up on her toes to meet him halfway. Still, she was lucky she didn’t drop the tray. The instant their lips met, the breath caught in her throat as a breezy, buzzy warmth spread through her.
And then he was gone.
His form disappeared as he sprinted down the trail.
With her lips tingling, a question formed in her mind.
Why had he kissed her goodbye?
Was it for show—a gesture for his parents to make them think they were happily married?
The kiss didn’t feel artificial. Quite the opposite. It felt like…like home.
She peered down the trail.
That kiss really happened, right? It wasn’t in her head.
She released a slow breath when her brain engaged, and she remembered she wasn’t alone. Bess and Tomás watched her as one might observe an abstract art installation.
