“I think he might really want his wife back. He came in all moony and sad, and said how much he was missing his family. I don’t think he realizes that we get news up here.”
“What did you tell him?”
“That Harper took the kids up the bush for a few days and there’s no way to get a hold of her.”
“Good job,” I say, rubbing the stubble on my chin.
“Are you guys coming back tonight?” Evie asks.
That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? I stare out at Harper, wondering what to do. She has the right to know her husband is here looking for her. But I’m not sure seeing him is what’s best for her. Brett Kennedy is a lying, cheating sack of weeds who deserves to be dropped in the lake wearing a pair of cement shoes.
Plus, Harper didn’t exactly sound enthusiastic about going back to “the real world.” Maybe another couple of days of being completely disconnected is exactly what she needs right now. Yet, I have a feeling that, if given the choice, she’d insist on going back so her kids can see their dad.
“Boss? Should we cook extra food for supper or what?”
My heart pounds as I answer her, praying I’m making the right choice. “We’ll stay here for another night. Harper’s not ready to come back just yet. Neither are the kids.”
“Okay,” she answers. “Have fun. Don’t get eaten by any wild animals.”
“We’ll try not to. Good night, Evie.”
“Over and out.”
I put the receiver back and sit frozen in place with my hand still on it. Why am I involving myself in Harper’s life like this? All I know is that my gut is telling me that this is the right thing to do. The last thing she needs is to let her ex swoop in and confuse her.
She needs to get her head on straight first. She needs to figure out what the best thing is, not just for the kids, but for her too. If I take her back to him right now, I have a terrible feeling she’ll let him convince her to give him yet another chance.
Chapter19
Harper
Dear Readers,
I’m a nervous wreck as I wait for news of Harper’s safe return from whence she’s hiding. I’m barely sleeping because I can’t get that showWild Menout of my mind. Who knows what kind of ruffians our fair maiden may encounter while she’s off-grid? I tremble at the thought.
I’ve spent the night outdoors twice myself and both times I nearly met my end. The good news is that I got great seats for both concerts, so …
In other hot goss, Brett has evacuated from Hawaiiwithoutthe Nanny-goat in tow. Could he be on his way home to beg for forgiveness? Does he even know that his wife isn’t there anymore?
My world is shifting on its axis as I await closure. The good news is, I managed to keep down a short stack of pancakes this morning so I should be filling out my clothes again soon.
Dish,
Ferris Biltmore
* * *
This has been the most perfect day I can remember having, which is not something I ever thought I would say regarding a place where the only bathroom is an outhouse. When Digger comes back from the plane, he announces, “Looks like we’re up here for another night, at least.”
Relief washes over me as I stretch out my limbs. “So, who’s cooking supper tonight?”
“The boys finally caught some fish.” He points to a plastic bucket farther down the pier. “How about I do the grilling and you make the salad?”
I nod my head. “We still have cookies left over. We can have those for dessert.”
“Hey, Uncle Digger,” Wyatt calls out. “If we’re staying, we should go up to the falls tomorrow. I bet Liam and Lily have never seen anything like it!”
“What falls?” I ask.