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“There are lots of people with cameras hanging around our house,” Lily interjects. “We don’t like them very much.”
“They’re called paparazzi,” Liam says authoritatively. “I mooned one of them.”
“Nice!” Digger says with a little nod. “What did your mom think of that?”
“She went after him and deleted all of his pictures.” Then my son asks, “Did you ever get to LA when you were little?”
Digger shakes his head.
“Why not?” Lily wants to know.
“It’s kind of hard to pick up and leave the lodge. There’s always a lot going on.”
“Surely your parents could have taken you at some point?” My son is like a dog to a bone.
“My mom is the reason I wanted to go.”
He doesn’t elaborate, but it would be clear to a blind person there’s a story there. Before Liam can press the issue, I hurry up the steps to the lodge in front of them and open the door.
“After you,” I tell them with a flourish.
Digger narrows his eyes a little, looking confused. If I had to guess, I’d say he’s surprised that I know how to be thoughtful. Taking Lily off his shoulders, he offers me a small smile while at the same time reaching up above me to push the door open a little wider. “Thank you, but that’s my job.”
I can’t help but notice how big he is when he’s up this close. I’m a little taken aback by it. It occurs to me that I haven’t stood this close to a man in a very long time—even Brett. I don’t know if it’s the fresh air or this gruff guy in front of me, but I’m suddenly reminded of what it feels like to be a woman. Not a mom. Not a friend. Not a daughter. A woman. A single one.
Because that’s exactly what I am now.
Chapter10
Digger
A quick glance into the dining room tells me the Bakers must have finished supper already. They’re probably back at their room, packing for their early flight in the morning. I breathe a little sigh of relief that they’re gone so I don’t have to run interference between Harper and her biggest fan/most upset person on the planet about Harper’s divorce.
Grandpa Jack comes out from the kitchen to greet us. He clearly has no idea who Harper is. Looking over at me, he says, “We were just about to send out a search party.”
“No need. We’re here,” I tell him, avoiding beating a dead horse by bringing up the reason we were late. “This is Harper, Liam, and Lily.” Turning to the kids, I say, “This is Grandpa Jack. Be sweet to him because he’s the guy who does all the baking around here.”
Evie walks in from the patio carrying some dirty dishes. She’s got her usual bored look on her face until she sees Harper. Her mouth drops open and she loses her grip on the plates, causing several pieces of silverware to crash loudly to the floor. “You’re … you’re …”
“Marge Simpson,” I tell her.
Harper smiles at Evie and says, “I’m Harper, but I don’t want anyone to know that.” She gestures toward her children. “These are my kiddos, Lily and Liam.”
Evie seems to recover herself a little and smiles up at the kids as she picks up the silverware. “Hey, I’m Evie.”
“You’re pretty,” Lily announces.
Evie rolls her eyes but also blushes a little. “It’s the make-up.”
“I love it,” Lily tells her. “Mom, you should do your make-up like hers.”
Harper grins down at her daughter. “Do you think so?”
“Yup!”
“Well maybe while we’re here, I can get Evie to show me how she does it.”
“I’d be happy to,” Evie says, looking far more enthusiastic than I’ve ever seen her. She glances at me excitedly, then seems to remember she doesn’t like anything. She shrugs. “Or, you know, whatever.”
