Page 105 of The Vet's Unconditional Love
"It was good.I'm nervous, but I think we're ready."She smiled."Today was the first day I got that line right.You know the one.Maybe tonight after dinner you can help me go over it one more time."
Harper closed her eyes briefly.There was no point in tiptoeing around it.She should just come out and tell them.
"Oh wait," said Alana."I just need to talk to Dakota for a minute."
She jumped back out and ran over to talk to her friend for a moment before coming back.Once she had her seatbelt on, Harper pulled out of the parking lot.
She'd still have to tell them that she wasn't going to be staying at the house anymore, but it could wait until they got home.
Just as she turned off the highway onto East River Road, Tanya turned to her."You know on Friday night, can I sit with Nat?"
"I'm sure that'll be fine.We have a whole block of tickets together for everyone, so I don't see why not."
"Yeah, but can I?Will you tell Dad that I can?"
She glanced in the rearview mirror when she saw Alana's head come up at that."No, sweetie.I think the way it should work is that you should ask him if you can."
"Yeah, but you got the tickets."
"Only to take care of the practical details, not to put me in charge of anything.It's up to your dad.You'll have to ask him."
Tanya shrugged."Okay, fine.I don't think he'll mind, do you?"
"I don't think so, no."
When they arrived at the house, Tanya went around to the back of the truck and Alana gave her a puzzled look.
"We got groceries," Tanya said."You can help bring them in."She grinned."We got ice cream."
As the girls started grabbing bags, Harper moved some of them to the side.Tanya reached for one of them, but Harper shook her head."Those aren't coming in."
Alana frowned at her."What do you mean?Why not?"
"I mean, those are for me.I'll be taking them with me when I go home later.Your dad's back on his feet now.He can manage the stairs without a problem.He needs his bed back.And you girls...well, you all need your lives back."
Tanya stared at her wide-eyed."What do you mean?"
"I mean that after I make you guys dinner, I'll be going back to the cottage tonight, and that's where I'll be staying again now."
Alana stood stock still for a moment before grabbing another bag and turning to go inside without a word.
"Harpsichord, youcan'tgo."Tanya's little face and the tears that brimmed in her eyes almost broke Harper's heart.
"I have to, sweetie.It's not like I won't see you anymore, but you don't need me here in the house now that your dad's doing better again."
Tanya set her bags down on the tailgate and wrapped her arms around Harper's waist."That's not true.I do need you.We all need you.I love you, Harper."
She squeezed her eyes tight shut in an attempt to keep her own tears inside as she hugged Tanya tightly."I love you too, sweetie.I really do, and I'll still be here for you, just not staying here in your home with you."
"But that's where I want you to be," said Tanya."That's where we all want you to be.That's where we need you to be.You're our Mama Bear now."
Harper shook her head sadly."No, Tanya.I'm your friend.I care about you very much.I love you.But I'm not your mama."
"No, I know," said Tanya."I don't mean it like that.Mom was our mom, and she'll always be our mom.But..."She wiped her sleeve over her eyes."I can't believe you're going to leave us."
"I'm not, sweetie.I'm not leaving you.I'll be just up the road like I was before."
Tanya sniffed."Did Dad make you mad?Did things not work out between the two of you?"
