| |
Harper tugged her wagon through the sand. For the umpteenth time, it got stuck and she had to jerk, nearly knocking over her canvas which was balanced precariously on the top. “Stupid sand,” she muttered. Her anger was still simmering even though it had been two days since her court appearance.
She didn’t know exactly what she had been expecting, but at least a small part of her thought someone would let her know what had happened with Layla. If Mason got her back, wouldn’t Crew have called? Or just texted? Texting was fine. Then she wouldn’t have to listen to a voice that was a little too similar to Mason’s for comfort.
Instead, Harper had been home, trying to spend these last few days of freedom as productively as possible. She had an interview tomorrow with the school for the position of art teacher. She’d also heard back from a fabric store who was looking for someone to manage their yarn department.
Crocheting and knitting weren’t high on Harper’s artistic talents list, but she felt like it was something she could handle. The income was enough to pay the bills if she lived simply and she’d still have some time to paint and try to turn her hobby into a career.
Her mother hadn’t taken the news well. In fact, part of Harper’s bad mood came from the phone blow-up she’d experienced just yesterday morning when she’d admitted her lack of painting entry.
While Harper hadn’t confessed everything to her mother, she’d told her the pertinent parts. The story of her and Mason, and why she hadn’t finished her painting, had not been pertinent.
It wasn’t like telling her mother about Mason would change the outcome. Mason still wouldn’t want her. Harper would still have confessed everything in a courtroom. And she still wouldn’t have any idea what had happened to Layla.
With one last jerk, Harper managed to get the wagon through the sand and into the place where she was hoping to paint. She’d have to take advantage of this time before her daylight hours were taken up with other work. If she worked at the school, at least she’d have her weekends free to paint, but if she worked at the store, she couldn’t even guarantee that. Customers didn’t always wait until Monday.
Harper set up her easel and began putting everything into place. Her small table, her paints, her canvas...lastly she plopped a stool in the sand and sat down, grabbing her sketchbook. She could do a few sketches first, things she’d be able to paint from memory later when she didn’t have time to sit by the ocean.
She opened the book and Layla’s large eyes greeted her. Harper huffed out a defeated breath. How she missed that girl. Layla would never know what Harper went through to try and help her, but that was okay. Harper didn’t need the recognition. All she wanted was closure.
“Soon,” she assured herself. Surely she would know something soon.
She traced her finger down Layla’s cheek, then couldn’t resist doing the same to the broad outline of Mason’s shoulder. There was another person who wouldn’t understand what Harper had given up. Not that Mason would care, but sometimes it hurt to know he’d never understand. Harper didn’t want praise, but at least some mutual understanding would be nice. At least knowing he wasn’t disgusted with her, or that he wouldn’t turn away if she ever walked into the same room.
She shook her head. “Wishful thinking, Harp. Time to get your head out of the clouds and back on the ground where it belongs.” She began flipping pages to get to a blank spot, but the loose picture of Layla caught the breeze and fluttered again. “Crud!” Harper threw the book in the wagon and ran after the loose sheet.
It slapped into a leg and Harper paused. A large hand reached down, picking it up, and Harper followed the hand, gasping when she realized who it was. Her heart slammed against her chest and Harper stumbled back a step or two, as if distance would help her gain control of herself.
“Hello, Angel,” Mason said carefully.
Layla squealed and reached for Harper, but she tightened her fists behind her back. “Mason.”
Layla bucked and Mason set her down. Her tiny legs struggled in the sand, but eventually she crossed the cavern between the adults and Harper picked her up. A long sigh left her as she cuddled the little one close. “I missed you,” Harper breathed, taking in the sweet scent of baby shampoo. She kissed Layla’s head and fought back tears. The next couple days were going to be horrific, but oh...the moment was worth it.
As usual, Layla didn’t respond verbally, but she bounced, smiled and squeezed Harper around the throat until Harper was sure she’d suffocate.
Mason cleared his throat and Harper forced herself to look up.
“I see you got her back.”
Mason smiled and nodded. “Yeah. Thanks to you.”
Harper shrugged. “I didn’t do so much.”
He raised an eyebrow. “No? You didn’t give up your chance to enter that competition down in California in order to come to my...our rescue?”
Harper’s eyes bugged open. “How did you hear about that?”
Mason took a step forward. “And you didn’t lose your chance at regaining your trust money by not entering the competition?”
Harper pinched her lips together. “I see someone’s been talking to Aspen.” It had to have been her. Riley, Maeve and Aspen were the only ones who knew the story and Aspen was the biggest talker.
Mason’s huge shoulders shrugged. “I thought it good to come prepared.” He looked down and Harper realized he was still holding the sketch.
Her pulse skipped. “Um...thanks for catching that. Let me just—” She bit back a curse when he opened the paper and studied it.
“It’s beautiful,” he said in a low tone. When his eyes came up, they were shining. “She’ll adore it.”
“Why are you here?” Harper demanded. Her emotions were at a breaking point. She needed him to say his piece and then leave. Layla pulled on her hair and Harper gently broke it free. It seemed some things never changed.
“First of all...” Mason took another step, causing Harper’s heart to skip another beat. “I wanted to say thank you.” He nodded toward Layla. “Your testimony was a key factor in the judge letting me keep her. I owe it all to you.”
“It was nothing,” Harper replied. She tried to set Layla down, but the little girl clung like a monkey. Harper sighed. “You’ll have to take her. Thanks for searching me out. I’m thrilled that it worked out. She really will be better off with you than your mother.”
“I’m not done,” Mason said, taking another step. The distance between them had closed to the point where Harper could have touched him with her fingertips if she’d been so inclined.
Her fingers twitched at the thought, but she kept her hands firmly around Layla. “Oh?” How much torture could a person take before they simply broke into too many pieces to fix?
“I also wanted to let you know that the custody came with a condition.”
Harper paused.
“I had to have Layla checked out by a doctor within twenty-four hours,” he said. “They especially wanted to check on her growth milestones.”
Harper swallowed hard. Layla’s speech. Something was wrong with it. “And?” she asked shakily.
Mason shook his head. “I don’t have answers yet. We went to a pediatrician yesterday, but they’re sending us to a specialist in Portland. The appointment is next week.” He paused. “But I thought you’d like to know we’re working on it.”
Harper nodded. “Good. I’m glad she’ll be getting the care she needs.”
He shuffled forward a little more. “And I also have a proposition for you.”
Her heart fluttered. Had he changed his mind? Did he actually have feelings for her? Or was this all about her help in court? How would she know the difference?
“I’d like to hire you.”
*****
OKAY...MAYBE HIS PLAN wasn’t turning out quite how he had hoped. Instead of looking interested, Harper looked ready to run. He put up his hands. “Hear me out?” he begged. He had a reason for his proposal. He really did. He’d spent all his spare time working this out, but it wouldn’t matter if Harper refused to listen.
Harper stepped back, creating more distance where he had closed it. “Fine.” She shifted Layla.
Nope. This wouldn’t do. He took a big enough step to put them toe to toe. Harper gasped and looked up. “I need a nanny for Layla,” he said gruffly. He was fighting the urge to touch her. Being this close was the best kind of torture and he let the anticipation work inside him. Crew, Aspen, even Riley, had assured Mason that Harper still had feelings for him. He was hanging his whole future on the hope that it was true.
“A nanny,” Harper said flatly.
Mason nodded. “But there’s a problem.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“I’m a little picky.” He reached out and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, letting his fingers trail along her jawline. He didn’t miss the goosebumps or the tiny shiver she tried to contain. His hopes rose. “I want Layla to spend time with someone who loves her.”
“Everyone loves her,” Harper said breathlessly.
Mason shook his head. “Not like you do. Only you would be willing to sacrifice your own wants for her own.”
Harper blinked rapidly and dropped his gaze.
Mason used his knuckle to pull her chin back up so she was forced to look at his sincerity. “I want someone who understands her. Someone who will play, tickle, laugh and love her the way she deserves to be loved. The way every child deserves to be loved.”
“Any nanny would eventually do that,” Harper said thickly. “It doesn’t have to be me.”
“I knew the moment you first stood in my kitchen feeding her mac and cheese that your relationship with her would be wonderful.”
Harper sniffled.
“And I knew the moment you insisted on helping me survive becoming an instant father that ours would be special as well.”
A flurry of emotions danced through her glassy eyes. “I... What do you mean? You don’t want a relationship with me.”
How he wished he could take those words back. They hurt as much now as they did then, and Mason was positive they were worse for Harper. “Crew!” he called over his shoulder. It was time to pull out the big guns.
“On it!” His brother emerged from the wild grasses and hurried over with a grin. “Heya, Harper! Nice to finally meet you in person.” He snatched Layla, who squealed in delight. “I’ll take her.” He winked. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
Mason rolled his eyes while Harper stood in stunned silence.
“I’m so lost.”
He nodded. “I know, and I’m working on that, but first, I needed a set of eyes on Layla besides ours.”
“Why?”
Okay...it was make it or break it time. “So I could do this without worrying about her.” Mason cupped Harper’s face and lowered his mouth to hers before he lost his nerve. Later he would be willing to swear in court that as soon as their lips met, the Earth stood still.
The broken parts of him that he was sure would never heal suddenly came alive and his chest nearly burst with the need for more. More kisses, more touching, more...Harper. His hands trailed down the soft skin of her neck and he flattened one palm against her back, pulling her into his chest. His other hand grasped her hip, anchoring her close.
He pressed forward, trying to be aware of any sign that she didn’t want this, but after her initial shock, Harper rose up on tiptoe and grasped his T-shirt in her hands, pulling him down as close as she could get him.
He flexed his fingers, trying not to let his hands wander, but the exposed skin on her arms, her neck and her face was oh, so tempting. Bringing his hands up to frame her face, he pulled his mouth away and began to pepper kisses across her cheeks, her eyes, her jaw...
“I love you,” he said hoarsely. “I’ve loved you since you showed me how to change a diaper.”
Harper laughed incredulously, the sound like manna from heaven. Mason hadn’t heard it in so long. “You...” She choked on her emotions. “You said you regretted our time together. You regretted me.”
Mason stopped his ministrations and rested his forehead against hers. “I lied,” he said bluntly.
“But why?” Tears began to leak down her cheeks. “I don’t know what to think. I don’t know—”
Mason cut her off with another kiss. He pulled back just far enough to speak. “I was scared, Harper. I was already fighting my inner voice saying that it wouldn’t work between us. That I wouldn’t have enough time to build a relationship with you while trying to learn how to be a father.” He sighed and straightened. “Then came the pressure of the lawsuit. My mom is a formidable opponent and I was terrified she would succeed in taking Layla away.”
Harper leaned forward, her forehead hitting his sternum.
“And then Layla got hurt,” he whispered, bending down to kiss the top of her head. “I freaked out. It seemed like everything in my life was screaming that the little voice in the back of my head was right. Layla was hurt because I was distracted by you. I...” He swallowed. “I just wasn’t able to have you both.”
She lifted her head. “So you gave me up.”
Mason nodded. “But I know you. I know how selfless you are and how much you love to help others. I knew that any objection I had would simply be an opportunity for you to help even more than you already had.”
She shook her head, dropping her arms and stepping back.
It was like a slap to his face.
“So you hurt me.” The words were flat...hard...and filled with pain.
“I did.” He clenched his fists to keep from reaching for her. “I wish I could say it was just to protect Layla, but I’ve learned better.” He closed his eyes and dropped his chin to his chest. “It was also a way of protecting me. I was so scared of losing you both that I sacrificed one to save the other.”
She didn’t respond.
“It was wrong,” he continued, desperate for her to understand. “I was wrong, and I’ll never be able to say sorry enough, but I’m learning.” He took a long, slow breath, praying for the right words. “I had several revelations during the trial with Layla and my parents. And I realized I need to change.” Her demeanor softened, so he kept going. “I don’t want to live in fear. I don’t want to control every aspect of my life. I don’t want to lose the things most precious to me.” He rested his hands gently at her waist to emphasize what he was talking about. “And I absolutely, under no circumstances, want to end up like my mother...or my father.”
Her body relaxed even further. “What do you want then?”
“This.” He took his time with this kiss. He might be eager to have a future with Harper, but he didn’t have to rush in convincing her. She deserved every moment he could give her. Long, drawn out, emotion-heavy moments where he showed her his heart just as much as he spoke it. “And this.” He tilted his head and took her mouth again at a different angle.
He loved it when her hands went behind his neck and played with his hair. It tempted him to never cut it again if she would simply keep her fingers moving through it.
They were both gasping for air when he finally pulled back. “It looks like you have those,” she said softly.
“Ah, but do I have this?” He tapped at the very top of her sternum. “Because your heart is what I want most of all.” He made a face. “Well...that and your forgiveness.”
Harper melted into his chest again and they simply held each other for several long moments. “I think we can work something out,” she finally whispered.
His heart leapt. “Do you mean it?”
She nodded, not moving from her spot. “I love you too, you know. I have from the moment I saw you playing with Layla even though you had no idea what to do with her.”
Gratitude unlike anything he’d ever known worked its way through Mason. He promised himself he wouldn’t take this moment for granted, or Harper for granted, ever again. “Then I guess there’s one more thing I want,” he said.
She looked up. “Oh? It sounds like you’re getting a little greedy.”
He grinned and let his finger skim along her skin as he memorized the lines of her face. “I really do want to hire you to help with Layla. I can’t do it alone, you need a job you can still paint with, and I want you in my life as absolutely much as possible from here on out.”
She snorted a laugh, then laughed some more. “I suppose we can talk about that one too, but I seem to remember that dating your boss isn’t considered good etiquette.”
“In this case, dating your boss is required.”
She slapped his chest and he chuckled. “I’ll think about it.”
He pressed a quick kiss to the tip of her nose. “That’s all I ask.”