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According to Mrs. Baker, Harper has been named one of the world’s most beautiful women byHollywood Stylemagazine every year for the last six years. Shereally issomething. She’s got the physique of a dancer—long, lean limbs, perfect posture, and a sense of grace that any guy would find alluring. Add to that, she’s got a smile that can light up a room—not that I’ve been trying too hard to make her smile.
Based on her children’s tow-headedness, that blonde hair of hers must be natural. Although, I wouldn’t put it past some phony in La La Land to dye their babies’ hair just so they can keep up the illusion.
Having said that, she looks pretty natural. Hardly any makeup that I can see. She’s pointing to a yacht on the ocean below and telling her kids that “Uncle Steven has one like that.”
I force my eyes not to roll as I pretend not to listen.
“Can we go for a ride on it sometime?” Lily asks her.
“Maybe,” Harper tells her. There’s something sad in her tone.
“He’sdad’sfriend,” Liam says. “So,he’dhave to take us.”
“But Mom could come too,” the little girl protests.
“She might not want to,” Liam says.
“But you would, right, Mom?”
“Umm … well … I’m not sure,” she answers, her smile faltering just the tiniest bit.
“When couples get divorced, they don’t go on trips together anymore,” Liam announces. “They don’t do anything together anymore because they hate each other.”
I glance back in time to see Lily’s eyes fill with tears. “Is that true?” she asks, her little voice nearly a whisper.
“No, baby.” Harper pulls her in for a hug. “Your dad and I don’t hate each other. In fact, we’ll always love each other because we love you so much.” She drops a kiss on her daughter’s head, then gives her son a little glare that saysthat’s enough, mister.
“If you’ll always love each other, why don’t you stay married?” Lily gives her a hopeful look that could break even the most hardened of hearts.
“The thing is … sometimes people can love each other but they can’t make each other happy anymore. That’s what happened with Daddy and me. But we’ll always want the best for each other, and we’ll always be good friends.”
I’m not buying it. According to Mrs. Baker’sPeoplemagazine,her husband has already moved on. I’m guessing that’s the reason she filed for divorce.
The kids clearly aren’t buying it either because her son just rolled his eyes so hard, they could’ve gotten stuck back there. When I glance back, I see Harper is looking out the window, blinking back tears. The sight tugs at my heart a little. But just as quickly as the tears come, she manages to shake them off. She forces a bright smile as she looks down at her daughter and points in the direction of town. “Is that Gamble, Digger?” she asks.
“Yes, it is,” I answer, doing my best to sound friendly. “See that big lake behind town, kids?”
They answer in the affirmative.
“That’s where the lodge is—it’s the long building with the red roof. We’re going to land at the dock next to it. Your cabin is the one farthest down the shore.”
“The one with the green roof?” Lily asks.
“No, that’s my place. Next to it is my grandpa Jack’s house, but if you look to the other side of the lodge, you’ll see three cabins—all with red roofs. Yours is the last one. It has the biggest bedrooms and the prettiest view of the lake.”
“Can we swim in the lake?” Lily asks.
“Sure can. It’s cold, so you may not last too long in the water, but it’s safe and clean.”
I look back again to see Harper offering me a grateful smile. If I had to guess, I’d say she’s pleased that I’m distracting her kids. I give her a little nod in return.
She may be entitled, but she’s also a woman in pain who's trying her level best to appear happy for her children. I’ve spent enough time around my sister to know what that looks like when I see it.
Chapter9
Harper
Dearest Readers,
