Page 14 of The Vet's Unconditional Love
The look in her eyes made him wonder if her bright smile was as genuine as it seemed as she said, "I did, thanks.It was good."
It hadn't occurred to him before, but now that it had, he had to ask."How long do you think you'll stay here for?Life in the valley must seem pretty slow compared to New York."
"I haven't decided yet.To be honest, I'm enjoying the change of pace."
He opened his mouth to say that he hoped she'd stay for good but changed his mind.He'd hate for her to feel like he was putting pressure on her to stick around to help out with the girls.That wasn't it.But he didn't particularly want to admit to himself how much he disliked the idea of her leaving, either.
~ ~ ~
When Emmett brought the truck to a stop outside the cottage, Harper didn't move to get out immediately.To say that she was pleasantly surprised by the way this had turned out would be an understatement, but she didn't feel as though they'd said everything they needed to.She'd hoped that he would give her more of an idea of what he wanted from her, but he'd gone back to his usual silence for the last part of the ride here.
Of course, she had a million questions, but she figured that now wasn't the time to ask them.When he turned and gave her that slightly crooked smile of his, her heart sank when she remembered there was one question she really wanted the answer to but certainly wasn't going to ask.Although...just because she didn't want to ask about his date tonight, it didn't mean she couldn't ask about the girls.
"Want me to bring your bag inside?"he asked.
"That's okay, I can—" She rolled her eyes."In fact, scratch that.I'll go with yes, please.That'd be great."
When she met him behind the truck, he was smiling."Is it hard for you?"he asked.
"What?"
"Letting people do things for you.Like me getting your bag like this?"
She raised her eyebrows."I think you can probably answer that one for yourself, can't you?"
He looked confused for a moment, then gave her a rueful smile.
"Yeah, I was thinking of you as independent, but you're pretty self-reliant yourself, aren't you?"
"I am," she nodded."And that may be why I called you out.Perhaps it's a case of it takes one to know one."She chuckled as she added, "And a bigger one to say it.But I'll drop that now."
He followed her up the steps and onto the porch, waiting while she opened the front door.Once they were inside, she smiled as she looked around.
"Is it good to be back?"he asked.
"It is."
She didn't want to tell him, considering that he'd just been asking about how long she might stay in the valley—but what she'd been thinking was that it was good to behome.His gaze darted around the cottage.
"You've changed the place.It looks good."
"You've been here before?"
"Yeah, you have to remember that everyone knows everyone around here.And we're more like family than neighbors.Jim and his wife Kitty were like the heart of the valley.I mean, don't get me wrong, Jim still is, but—" His words trailed off, and Harper felt bad for him.She knew that Jim had lost his wife years ago.But they'd been married for more than fifty years.
Emmett had lost his wife, Emily, far too young.
"I wish I could have met her," she said with a smile."Sounds like she was a wonderful lady."
He held her gaze for a moment before nodding and turning away.And it hit her that he probably didn't know if she was referring to Kitty or Emily.
Her words were true either way.
He took his hat off and ran his hand through his hair before putting it back on."I should get going."
She didn't want him to leave and was about to offer him a drink when she remembered—he probably had to go home to get ready for his date."Well, thanks again for this," she said a little too brightly."For the ride home and for clearing things up between us.I don't want to dwell on it too much, but I will say one last time—I'm sorry."
"And I'll say one last time—there's no need."
