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“I was only eighteen,” she said, cutting him off. “Do you think Morgan will want someone who might not be permanent?”
“Ciara is starting in a school here in a couple days and he has business responsibilities, so he needs someone ASAP. Eight months gives him plenty of time to find someone else.”
“You are such a problem solver, Harper.”
“Are you being sarcastic? Don’t tell me you’re annoyed again.”
“No, I mean it,” Blake said. “I think you make a lot of sense. In fact, I have a confession to make. I came back to a flood in the cottage that ruined some of my shoes and books and is still running. I had a dispute with Elena over it and told her I’m leaving. I was just scrolling for a bed and breakfast because I’m moving out of here tonight.”
“You are not going to a bed and breakfast when your brother has a spare bedroom,” he said in a tone that told her he would not take no for an answer. “I’m coming over right now to help lug your things out.”
“You don’t need to. I don’t have that much.”
“I can also shut the water off in the bathroom when I get there.”
“That would be a nice thing to do, since I refused to hire a plumber and pay for it myself as Elena suggested. But it’s already after eight. Marni won’t like it if—”
“Marni likes that I’m a good brother to you. She might even reward me with—”
“Stop! TMI, Harper.”
He laughed. “Just pushing your buttons.”
“Right. Well, thank you. And I’m sorry if I was difficult today.”
“Hey, you wouldn’t be the sister I know if you were too easy to order around. And Marni told me I went about it all wrong.”
Blake bit her lip. “Are you sure Morgan didn’t go ahead and hire someone else after my little performance?”
“Yeah, I’m sure. He has already interviewed a lot of people and did not like any of them. But he called me tonight asking if we could try again with you.”
“He did?” Blake tried not to acknowledge the part of her that would not at all mind seeing him again.
“He did. When I first told him about you, he said you sounded perfect for his daughter. Morgan is a super devoted dad.”
“Is he a widow?” she asked.
“No. Divorced. And that is a story I will let him tell you.”
“If we meet again.”
“You will,” Harper said. “See you in twenty.”
As Blake packed up her things, she realized how grateful she was to have a brother who cared so much. Yes, he was a little pushy, but sometimes she needed it.
Her mind strayed to Morgan and she wondered if he dated and if it would be uncomfortable to witness him bringing other women home. But if he was the kind of father Harper said, then he would either not do that or be discreet about it.
Why was she even thinking about that anyway? Her main relationship would be with his daughter. Sexy thoughts about him and his love life would have to be off limits.
Just as she thought that, a text came in from…Morgan Raines.
Knowing Harper, he’d probably contacted him immediately after their talk.
Blake opened it and read: “Can you come to our house tomorrow morning at 10? Ciara says she can’t wait to meet you!”
There was a photo of a skinny little girl with messy blond hair and a wide goofy smile.
Blake waited for the familiar old pain to hit her, but it didn’t. She could not say why. Maybe it was because she had cried her fill this afternoon. Instead, she was touched by the girl’s sweet and silly expression.
