I grab two bottles of Stella from the bar fridge and crack them open. Handing them each one, I say, “I’ll show you the way.”
Once we’re outside, Ethan looks around and inhales deeply while Prisha takes a long pull on her bottle. “The air up here is wonderful,” he tells me. “It’s so fresh.” Then he turns to his traveling companion and asks, “It’s nice, isn’t it, Prish?”
“Meh, it’s air,” she answers as we start down the path.
There’s something about her I instinctively like. I’m pretty sure it’s her no-nonsense grumpiness. Glancing over at me, she asks, “How’s Marge doing anyway?”
“I … um …” I’m not sure how to answer this.
“She told me that you’ve been a life saver and a confidant.”
Nodding my head, I answer, “She’s a strong woman in a tough situation.”
“Good answer,” Ethan says. “Positive but vague. You could work in the biz.”
“I’d rather be waterboarded for a month of Sundays,” I tell him.
Prisha laughs. “I think I’m going to like you, Digger. But seriously, how is our friend? Has she slept at all since Super Douche showed up?”
I can’t help but laugh at her very accurate description of Brett. “She had a hard night last night,” I tell them. “But with any luck, she’s sleeping right now.”
“Hard night?” She eyes me with a gleam in her eye.
“She was over at my sister’s place last night. They had a few too many.”
“Sounds like our girl is making herself right at home.”
“My sister’s a single mom too. Not that Marge is single yet, but …” I trail off, my gut aching at the thought of her going back to that asshat.
We’re just about to round the last corner where the cabin will become visible to us, when I stop. “Look, it’s none of my business, but I’ve spent enough time with Harper and her kids to care about how this all shakes out. If you two are really her friends, and not just more people out to manipulate her, you need to make sure she doesn’t go back to Brett.”
Narrowing his eyes, Ethan says, “Digger, is it?” He shoots me a look meant to put me in my place. “We’ve been part of Harper’s life for over ten years. You’ve haven’t known her for ten days. If anyone should be questioning anyone, it should bemeaskingyouwhy it matters to you what she does.”
Puffing out my chest like a frigate bird, I tell him, “It matters because she’s a good person who deserves a hell of a lot better than that bastard.”
“Clearly, you’ve met him,” Prisha says wryly.
“Unfortunately, yes.”
She nods, then puts her hand on my forearm. “Trust me, we’re all on the same team here. No one hates Brett more than we do.Noone. If I could go all Texas Chainsaw on him, I’d do it in a second.”
I offer her a smile. “I was thinking cement boots and a deep lake.”
Prisha nods. “Yup. I’m gonna like you.”
Glancing at Ethan, and back to her, I say, “The feeling’s mutual.”
When the cabin comes into view, we see Harper sitting on one of the Adirondack chairs on the covered porch. Her feet are propped up on the railing, and she’s got a book on her chest. Her eyes are closed, which makes me wish we could let her be for a while. While I know Prisha and Ethan are her friends, they’re here to help her strategize how to handle her divorce. It would be nice if she had a bit more time to just relax.
Harper’s eyes open when she hears us. She quickly stands and waves. After sliding into her flip-flops, she hurries down the steps, and calls out, “You made it!”
She hugs Prisha first, then Ethan, who, after pulling back, rubs her upper arms. He asks, “You okay, tiger?”
My jaw tightens at the sight of him touching her like that.What the hell is wrong with me?
Harper tips her head from side to side in an undecided gesture. “You know … not great. This is day two without the kids.” Her voice breaks and Prisha takes her into her arms again.
“I know, sweetie, I know.”