Page 113 of The Vet's Unconditional Love
Emmett did too.He'd been on his own with the girls for years now, and he'd taken care of all their needs by himself, as best he could.When it came to school stuff, he'd never missed — not with cupcakes for birthdays, projects for the science fair, or costumes for Halloween.But last night, when Alana had gotten into a panic — wanting to make sure she had everything she needed, since she wouldn't be coming home after school today before the play opened tonight — she'd insisted that she needed to talk to Harper.Harper was the one who'd been most involved the last few weeks.She'd helped with costume details, bought makeup, all the little fiddly things that Emmett would normally have done himself, but hadn't been able to while he was out of commission.And since he was so far out of the loop, Harper was the one Alana wanted.
She'd arrived within fifteen minutes of Alana's call.And when she'd walked into the house, it had felt like home again.That had hit Emmett hard.This place had been home since he'd returned to the valley after the military.Both girls had lived here their whole lives.This had been Emily's home.His and Emily's home.Harper had only stayed here with them for a few weeks.And after that, she'd only been gone for a couple of days.But with her gone, the place hadn't felt the same anymore.
Tanya touched his arm and he looked down at her with a smile, realizing that he'd been lost in his thoughts.
"Do you think she'll come back to us soon?"
"She'll be here to pick us up.Any minute now."
Tanya narrowed her eyes at him."You know what I mean, Dad."
"Yeah, I do.Sorry, Button.I shouldn't have done that."
"It's okay; I know it's because she's important to you."
"She is.And you don't mind that?"
Tanya grinned."Of course I don't.I'm keeping all my fingers and toes crossed, when I can, that you and Harper will be together and we'll be a family."She frowned."A new kind of family.I still love Mom."
He rested his hand on her shoulder."I know you do.So do I.But that doesn't mean we can't love Harper, too.And I do love her, you know."
Tanya made a face at him."Well, duh, of course you do.I know that.We all do."
"And you don't mind?"He had to ask.
She seemed older as she looked up at him and said, "Of course I don't mind, Dad.I want you to be happy.No one ever talks about it—I mean, everyone thinks it's sad that Alana and me lost our mom, but you lost your wife.The person you loved most in the world.That's sad, and I don't want you to be sad; I want you to be happy.And Harper makes you happy.I can see that."She grinned."She makes me happy too.And Alana.Even though Alana gets sad about Mom still."She let out a little sigh."Life's complicated, isn't it?"
Emmett chuckled as he ran his hand over her hair."It sure is.But it's good as well.You and your sister are the best things in my life.You make it good."
"And you make us good."Tanya glanced toward the window."Oh look, here's Harper.Are you ready to go?"
"I am.Do you have everything you need?"
She shrugged."I don't need anything.Let's go."
She scampered out the front door ahead of him and gave Harper a quick hug before climbing into the back seat of her truck.Harper came to greet him.And from the way she let her gaze travel over him, it seemed that Tanya had been right—she liked the way he looked.
He leaned in to press a quick peck to her lips."You look great."
Her eyes seemed to sparkle as she said, "So do you."
"Thanks."
Once they were settled in the truck and on their way up toward town, he glanced over at her.He was glad that they were going together tonight.And after everything that had happened with Alana last night, he was hopeful about the future.But there was still one big doubt looming in his mind.
She turned and gave him a quick smile."Is everything okay?"
"Everything's great," said Tanya from the back seat."We're excited about tonight.Alana’s going to be great, isn't she?"
"She is," said Harper."She already is great.We've seen her so many times, we know how good she is; she's going to be the star of the show."
"Hmph.She really should be the star of the show.Kennedy Sinclair only got the lead because of her dad's sponsor thing."
Emmett smiled to himself as Harper bristled behind the wheel.
"I'm really not impressed with that whole deal," she said.
"Don't get me wrong, neither am I.But it's just the way things work around here.Always has been."
