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Digger
I hope Harper knows my apology was sincere. I couldn’t have acted more like a jerk this morning. Even though I wasn’t talking about her when I said those things about Hollywood, I should have kept my mouth shut. Clearly, I’m not over my mom’s desertion. I’m not sure I ever will be.
We fall into an easy rhythm today, creating fun for the kids and distraction for all. It’s such a hot day, we’ve basically spent it lounging on towels by the lake and playing around in the water. I do my best not to notice how Harper looks in that bikini of hers—it’s not super skimpy, but it still shows off enough to up the temperature an extra ten degrees.
I can’t be sure, but I may have caught her giving me the once over when she thought I wasn’t looking. Not to sound conceited, but the look on her face seemed to suggest she’s not oblivious to me, either.
Currently, she’s reading while I pretend to doze. The kids are playing cards on a picnic blanket in the shade. The whole scene feels very domestic, which makes it strange that I’m enjoying it so much. The sun goes behind a cloud and the air grows a little chillier, so I open my eyes and sit up. I grab a t-shirt and pull it over my head.
Harper yawns next to me. She looks incredibly relaxed. “What time do you think it is?”
“I’m guessing late afternoon. You hungry?”
“Not yet, but the kids probably are, so we might want to start dinner.” She adjusts the big, floppy hat she’s wearing.
“Good point. I’ll check in with the lodge to see if we’re in the clear to head back. If so, we could always eat there.” Having said that, I hope she’ll want to stay here a little while longer.
“Back to the real world,” she says with a sigh. “Yay.”
“We don’t have to go yet, you know, if being here is what you need.”
“Unfortunately, it’s just not about me. I need to check in with my publicist. Also, I’m sure Moira’s missing the boys by now.”
We look back at the kids, only to see the twins wrestling. After a second, I say, “I think Moira would be okay for another month or two.”
Harper and I share a laugh, then she shakes her head at them. “She’s got her hands full, for sure.”
“Tell you what, I’ll go call the lodge. If the reporters are gone, we’ll head back. If not, we can stay for another night.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
I slide on my flip-flops, then walk over to the plane and get in. Picking up the radio receiver, I push the button. “Whistler Eagle to Whistler Lodge. Come in, Lodge.”
“Lodge here,” Evie says. “How’s it going in the wilderness? Does it resembleLord of the Fliesyet?”
“Not yet, but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time,” I tell her. “What’s happening there? Any unfriendlies?”
“What is this? A war?” she asks.
“Sort of.”
“Well, there’s good news and weird news.”
“Okay …”
“The good news is the reporters are gone. Grandpa Jack managed to bore them into leaving town with all of his stories.” She adds, “Plus, he was all, ‘Harper who? Never heard of her. Is she some kind of astronaut?’ It was really funny.”
“Nice work.” And while I’m glad the reporters are gone, I still don’t want to go back yet. “What’s the weird news?” I look back at the beach and watch Harper stretch out on the blanket. Her hat is over her face now, which makes me smile. She looks like she’s exactly where she’s meant to be.
“Brett Kennedy showed up an hour ago, looking for his family.”
That’s not what I was expecting to hear. That news feels like a punch to the gut, even though I have no idea why it should. It takes me so long to think of a response, Evie says, “Are you still there?”
“Yup. Just … got a little distracted for a second. You didn’t give him a room, did you?”
“He’s rented out the McLoughlin’s cabin.” The only luxury Airbnb in town.
“Of course he did. What does he want?”
