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Was she not used to compliments or my teasing? Maybe I reserved it for Gia, not wanting to get involved with Harper in any way. Now, I wondered why that was.
“She’s so social. She’ll talk to our neighbors for the longest time. It’s like she’s this old soul in a tiny body. They love her.”
“She’s adorable.” Every time she was in my parents’ house, I took the opportunity to hold her. I loved spending time with her, playing and listening to her jabber on about her dolls. She was the cutest thing, and she made me want to start a family sooner rather than later. I couldn’t help but wonder if my kids would be like her.
Harper’s shoulders relaxed. “I’m so grateful that your mother watches her. I don’t know what I’d do without your family.”
Harper was a gorgeous, independent woman, who worked hard and took care of that girl on her own. She was just as strong as my sister. “You’d be okay.”
“I don’t know. Daycare is so expensive, and with my hours, I’m not sure I could work for Gia and manage.”
“Thank God you’ll never have to find out.” If my mom couldn’t watch Evie, one of my aunts would. It was just the way it was. We watched out for our own, and Harper and Evie were part of that.
“What did I miss?” Gia asked as she sat down in the chair on the other side of Harper.
The waitstaff was setting the salads down on the table in front of us.
“Just the cocktail hour,” Harper said, turning her attention to her.
Reluctantly, I removed my arm from Harper’s chair and set my elbows on the table. “You get any good intel?”
Gia flashed me an irritated look. “I took a walk to see the grounds. The property is gorgeous.”
“You’ve never been here?” I asked, a little surprised. She said she was here to check out the resort, but I guess I thought she’d been here before. Stayed for another wedding or a girls’ night out or something.
Gia rolled her eyes. “If it wasn’t obvious, Silas doesn’t want me here.”
I shifted in my chair, the idea making me uncomfortable. “He’ll come around. You’re my sister.”
“And his number-one enemy,” Gia muttered as she picked up her fork to pick at her salad.
I wondered if that was accurate. I didn’t want something happening between them that would affect my friendship with Silas or my relationship with Gia.
“From what I can tell, he runs a beautiful resort. The accommodations are luxurious, and the waitstaff is professional and accommodating.” Gia’s eyes were round, her expression soft.
“Are you staying overnight?” I asked her.
Gia nodded. “I want to get a better feel for the hotel.”
“I want to get back to Evie,” Harper said uneasily.
“I’ll take you,” I offered easily.
Harper frowned at me. “Don’t you need to spend time with Silas?”
“I can grab a drink with him anytime, and if you need to be home, I’ll get you there.”
Harper’s expression softened. “Thank you.”
“Anytime.” I popped a cucumber into my mouth, knowing it was true. I took care of people; it’s what I did. And I didn’t mind, but I wondered if I’d have a marriage and a child in my immediate future. There was something about being here today, witnessing Chris and Naomi with Paisley, that had me thinking more about Harper and her situation.
Would she meet a good man who would treat Evie and Harper like they deserved? With her luck in men, I wasn’t so sure. Not that I knew what happened in her life, but Manny wasn’t there for Evie, and Harper’s dad was never in the picture.
I heard Gia and my mom talking about it on occasion. Manny didn’t pay child support as ordered. As soon as child support services found out where he worked, they’d garnish his wages, and then he’d quit his job. The search would start all over again. I hated the guy on principle, and no one would ever be good enough for Evie.
I liked things how they were now. Harper and Evie were close. My family could help them. I didn’t like the idea of another man coming into Harper’s life and offering her security. It didn’t sit right with me.
“Their wedding planner is organized and well-prepared. The ceremony went smoothly,” Gia continued, as if she was having a business meeting with Harper.
