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“Three returns!” Harper screeched at her computer screen. She pushed her hands through her hair, tugging at the roots. “That can’t be right!” Frantically, she searched for the receipts to the paintings the invoice referred to. While every artist got the occasional return, three at once was unheard of.
Harper’s stomach was churning as she looked into the original purchases. Sure enough, she found they had all been bought by the same customer. Harper remembered the woman. She had looked a little fancy in her heels and jewelry as she walked around the outdoor market, but who cared when she bought three of Harper’s largest canvases, claiming they would be perfect for her office.
“It sounds like perfect was a bit of a stretch,” Harper murmured. She bit her lip, which was beginning to tremble. This was going to put a big dent in her bank account, which was already dangerously low as it was.
Try as she might, Harper hadn’t had any luck trying to build her business by using online advertising. Instead, she’d been spending money she didn’t have and with her mother’s ultimatum hanging over her head, it was money that wouldn’t be replaced.
So her bills had been higher, her income the same and now she had to refund three large pictures. It wasn’t fair.
She closed her eyes and hung her head. This was why she was supposed to be focusing on her career. She had been so...distracted lately. Her painting was due soon for the competition and wasn’t even close to being done, her mother had been calling every single day, nagging about giving up and changing careers, and between her newest discovery and Mason leaving the party last night because he got a call from his brother...Harper felt as if her world was starting to get claustrophobic.
But your time with Mason and Layla has been the happiest time of your life.
Happy. It was such a dangerous word. Logically, Harper knew her happiness didn’t rely on anyone but herself, but it was so hard to remember that when Mason came into the room. Her smiles stretched automatically across her face and when Layla hugged her neck, Harper felt herself melt into an ooey puddle of emotions.
No...Mason and Layla might not be responsible for Harper’s happiness, but they sure added to it. And that was why it was so hard to stay away.
Today, however, Harper had put her foot down, which had turned out perfectly since Mason said he needed time with his brother anyway. She had all day to paint, to catch up on inventory and make sure her invoices were all sent. She could rework her ads and look into other ways of expanding. Perhaps there was even another art exhibit or two she could send her portfolio to.
Instead...she was sitting at her computer, crying at a stupid email.
She didn’t want to work. Painting had lost its luster and Harper wasn’t sure how to get it back. She squeezed her eyes shut, forcing the tears to shut down. There had to be something she could do. She had never been confrontational, but she also wasn’t one to give up without a fight.
She wanted this. She had always wanted this. She hadn’t spent her entire life going against her mother’s edicts just to lose now. Right? She had a full twenty-four hours to herself. Her distractions were otherwise occupied.
Harper sucked in a tremulous breath and stood, locking her shaking knees. It was time to paint. It was time to take back what was hers. Women had families and careers all the time and even though all her evidence pointed otherwise, Harper just wasn’t quite ready to give up Mason and Layla yet. She could find a way. She had to.
An hour later, her brush lay dormant next to the piles of paint. Harper sat back in her chair, feeling like a failure. When her doorbell rang, her heart jumped, thinking it might be Mason, and Harper forced herself to sit back down.
It doesn’t matter if it’s Mason, she scolded herself. You’re working today. You can see him tomorrow.
Her hands twitched and her heart sped up. She wanted...she wanted... She jumped to her feet and raced for the door. She didn’t know what she wanted, but Harper knew for sure what she didn’t want.
Jerking open the door, she rushed onto the deck.
“Oh! You are home!”
Harper’s shoulders deflated. “Oh, hey Maeve.”
“Hey.” Maeve’s smile turned concerned when she grew closer. “Are you okay? Did I wake you from a nap?”
Harper shook her head. “Nope. Uh...come on in.” Harper tried to straighten her back and pretend she hadn’t been looking for Mason, but it was more difficult than she wanted to admit. How ridiculous was she? She was everything her mother taught her not to be. Relying on a man was breaking her!
The front door closed. “Okay, I came over to demand answers about you and Mason, but something else is going on,” Maeve said. She folded her arms over her chest. “Why don’t you have a seat and we’ll talk about it.”
Harper sighed and flopped onto the couch. She loved Maeve, she really did. But Harper wasn’t sure she wanted to spill everything.
“Harp,” Maeve said softly. “I know I’m not Aspen, but while she’s at work, I’m here and I’m ready to listen.”
Harper cracked an eye open. “It’s not that,” she said, her voice breaking. “I just... I don’t know.” Harper sat up. “I’m just such a mess right now. I’m torn between two directions and I don’t know which one is better.”
“I’m guessing this really does have to do with Mason,” Maeve said thoughtfully. She pushed her fake glasses up onto her head. “Is it Layla? Are you afraid if you and Mason get serious, you aren’t ready to be a mother?”
“Oh, heavens, no!” Harper immediately cried out. She snapped her mouth shut when she realized how loud she was. “I mean...I hadn’t planned on taking on someone else’s child, but Layla isn’t a problem.”
“Then what is it?” Maeve tilted her head. Her brown eyes were deeply curious. “You and Mason seemed so content the other night. You looked so happy.”
“We are...were...oh, I don’t know.” Harper shook her head, tears threatening once more. “How does Aspen do it all?” she finally asked.
“Uh...”
“I mean...how does she manage to keep her career going and still have time for Austin?” Harper leaned forward. Already she was feeling slightly better even though their conversation had just started. “I’ve wanted to be an artist my whole life,” she explained. “And my mom was always against it.” Harper paused. “No. That’s not right. Mom thought it was great that I painted, but she doesn’t think it’s a real job. She wants me to have something secure and safe. Something I can support myself with if I ever found myself alone.”
Maeve huffed a laugh. “Uh, Harper, you are alone.”
“Exactly!” Harper cried. “I decided I couldn’t do it the same way my mother did. I needed my art. So my solution was to build my career before I got involved.”
Maeve’s eyes widened in understanding. “Oh...”
Harper nodded. “But now...” She sniffed. “Now all I want to do is be around Mason and Layla, and my art is suffering, and I had someone return three paintings today, and my mom is holding my trust fund hostage, and if I can’t win this competition down in California, then she’s going to take it away completely, and I can’t even find the time to paint, let alone the inspiration because all I want to do is kiss a handsome lumberjack and play peek a boo with a little girl because her laugh warms me in ways I didn’t even know existed and I can’t imagine my days without it!”
Maeve never moved. Her eyes were about to bug out of her head and she was obviously shocked at Harper’s confession.
Harper, on the other hand, felt better for having gotten it all out. Now I just need some kind of solution. “So I’ll ask again,” Harper said, bringing her voice down and sitting a little straighter. “How does Aspen do it all?”
Maeve slowly shook her head. “Oh, Harp. I can’t...I’m so sorry...” Maeve fell backward. “This isn’t going to be what you want to hear, but...she doesn’t. Something always has to give. Sometimes it’s time with Austin and sometimes it’s the business, but no one person can have it all, all the time.”
Maeve was right. That wasn’t what Harper wanted to hear. And unfortunately, it fed the doubts already building in the back of her mind. If she didn’t get this business going first...Harper was positive she never would.
*****
MASON BROUGHT THE AX over his head with a heavy yet satisfying thud. The log in front of him split, sending a small spark of splinters into the air just as Layla’s laughter rang through the trees.
He paused before picking up the next piece and looked over in time to see Crew pretending to nibble on Layla’s stomach, which was the cause of her merriment. The laughter brought a smile to his lips, but the weight on his shoulders never shifted. What was he going to do? Crew was positive that Mom’s new lawyer was a shark and would do anything to make a buck.
How in the world was someone like him going to prove to a judge that life with a single lumberjack was better for Layla than the larger, more experienced home of his mother?
You might not always be single...
An ache began deep in Mason’s chest. Harper was working today. Mason was supposed to meet with a lawyer in a bit and she needed time to work on a painting for some kind of competition she was entering, and so they’d agreed not to see each other today. It was amazing how such a short amount of time could be so painful. He wanted her here. He wanted to talk about a plan for Layla. He wanted Harper’s optimistic attitude. He wanted to hold her and feel like it would all be okay.
Instead he was chopping wood to work off his nervous energy and Uncle Crew was getting to know his niece. Both things were fine, but they weren’t what Mason wanted deep down.
“She doesn’t talk much, does she?” Crew asked, studying the little girl.
Mason shook his head. “Not yet. Harper said I should think about taking her in to a doctor soon. She thinks Layla might have some trauma issues that are keeping her from speaking.”
Crew nodded thoughtfully. “You like this Harper a lot, don’t you?”
Mason shrugged, though he knew it had to be written all over his face.
“Mase, you idiot,” Crew teased. “You’ve mentioned her like fifty times since I got here last night. What’s going on?”
Mason took in a deep breath and pushed a hand through his hair. “I think I’m falling for her.”
“But...”
Mason raised an eyebrow. “Why do you think there’s a but?”
“Because you don’t sound excited to have finally found a woman who doesn’t run from your giant size.”
If Layla hadn’t been in Crew’s lap, Mason probably would have chucked a piece of wood at his brother’s head, but he held back. “But I’m worried she doesn’t feel the same.”
“Why wouldn’t she?”
Mason rolled his eyes. “Is this really what we’re going to talk about? I thought we needed to discuss Layla and Mom?”
Crew put Layla on the ground and she began to run around, checking out all the dandelions growing in Mason’s yard. “We’ll get to that when the lawyer arrives. Why don’t you think Harper feels the same?”
When Layla came his way, Mason set the ax down and picked the little one up. “Hey, Tiny.”
“Quit avoiding the question, Mase,” Crew shouted.
“Because I can’t give her enough of my time,” Mason shouted back.
Crew’s eyebrows shot up. “What do you mean?”
“I mean...that Layla will always come first,” Mason said, his voice back to normal. “Harper deserves to be wined and dined like a princess and all I’ve got are sippy cups and cracker crumbs. She deserves one on one attention and I can only offer a few minutes while Layla’s napping.” He shook his head. “It just isn’t fair to her.”
Crew snorted. “Don’t you think that’s for her to decide?”
Before Mason could respond to his brother’s ludicrous question, Mr. Thomas came marching around the corner.
“Mason!” the older man shouted, holding up a hand. “Good to see you.” He walked up with his hand outstretched.
“Hey, Mr. Thomas,” Mason said. “Thanks so much for coming. I know working with family law isn’t your specialty, but...”
Mr. Thomas waved him off. “I actually studied it before I went into corporations, so it’s fine. Makes me brush up on other aspects of the law.” He smiled and tickled Layla’s side. “This must be the little lady.”
Mason nodded. “Layla, this is Mr. Thomas. He’s going to be helping us in court.”
Mr. Thomas turned. “And you must be Crew.”
Crew stood and shook the man’s hand. “That’s right. I’m Mason’s younger brother.”
Mr. Thomas nodded. “It’s good you’re here. Having family support is always positive in the courtroom.” He took a deep breath. “Let’s get this nightmare started, huh?”
Mason made a face. “I hate that that’s an accurate term.”
“Me too,” Mr. Thomas agreed. He moved to the wooden picnic table and set down his briefcase, pulling out a large folder. “I’ve gotten the papers from your mother’s lawyer, Mr. Thornbull.” Mr. Thomas tilted his chin down and gave Mason a look. “It appears he’s pushing for the fact that you’re single and inexperienced. He’ll be trying to convince the judge you’re incompetent and incapable of taking care of Layla.” One eyebrow shot up. “Don’t give him any reasons to be right, okay?”
“Is that your way of saying stay out of trouble?” Mason asked with a chuckle.
“More or less.”
“Don’t worry. I never go looking for trouble.”
“That’s what we lawyers like to hear. Now...” He flipped through his papers. “I read your sister’s will and I can’t find any loopholes, so Mr. Thornbull is going to have his work cut out for him. You have a good record of employment, your boss had only good things to say, you own a home and have the means to take care of the child.” He paused. “The biggest cons are that you’re not married and that your mother has more money than sense at her disposal.”
Crew snorted a laugh, then tried to cover it. “Sorry.” He shrugged at Mason. “But he nailed it.”
“There isn’t anything you can do about the single issue?” Mr. Thomas pressed.
Mason hesitated but shook his head. “I’m...dating a woman, but it’s brand new. We’re not even close to getting married.”
“Would she testify on your behalf in the courtroom? You know, talk about what a great guy you are?” Mr. Thomas asked, grabbing for a pen.
“Maybe,” Mason said. “As long as she has the time, I don’t see why not.” He offered Harper’s name and number. “I’ll ask her, so she’s not caught off guard with everything.”
“Wonderful.” Mr. Thomas finished making a few notes. “Let’s go over their case and then we can build our defense, alright?”
Mason glanced at Crew. Crew was just as serious as Mason was, but he slapped Mason’s shoulder. “We can do this,” he said. “Mom has no right to take Layla from you. Every single one of us knows why Aimee left Layla to you over Mom. This is for her.”
Mason nodded curtly. “For Aimee and Layla.” And myself. I’m far from a perfect father, but I love the squirt and am not ready to give her up.