Page 77 of The Vet's Unconditional Love
Harper smiled at that."I wouldn't be here if she couldn't.But that's the thing.While she's caught between being a woman and a girl, just because she can see the good in having me around doesn't mean that all of her likes it or even wants to accept it.I get that.I'm not sure she does, but you need to, okay?"
He gave her a wry smile."You're not just a pretty face, are you — you're smarter than the average bear."
She laughed out loud at that."Well, coming from Papa Bear, I'll take that as a compliment.Thank you.Do you want some tea?"
He held up his travel mug."I’m good thanks."
As he moved to the edge of the sofa, she hurried toward him."Let me guess, you still need to get rid of the last one before you have another."
"Afraid so."
With that, she helped him to his feet and tried to help him down the hallway to the bathroom."You're really not good at accepting help, are you?"she asked when he hissed from the pain instead of letting her take any of his weight.
"Hey, you can't get mad at me for it—you knew that from the beginning."
"Not mad," she told him as she pushed the bathroom door open for him.
"Good," he told her as he went inside."I'd hate to make you mad at me."
She pulled the door closed and left him to it, murmuring to herself as she went."Not mad at you.I just wished...Just hope you might learn to trust me enough to lean on me."
Chapter Seventeen
Harper hovered by the living room door."I don't have to go just yet.I thought Blane would be back before now."
"It's fine," Emmett told her."He'll be back any minute.And even if he got held up, Janey's on her way over.She just texted."He held his phone up, as if to prove his point.
Harper still didn't move.
"I'm not going to move from the couch until someone gets here.I promise," Emmett assured her.
"You can't say that.Everyone might get held up.And if you need to go, I know you.You'll crawl to the bathroom if you have to."
"True, I will.But I wouldn't make a promise I wasn't fairly sure I'd be able to keep."He checked his watch."I'm more concerned about you being there for Tanya when she comes out of school."
She checked her watch."If you're sure."
"I'm sure, I'm sure," he told her with a smile."I'll be fine."
"I'll see you later, then.But text me if you need anything."
"I won't.But thanks."
She made a face."Okay, okay, I'm going."
He chuckled."Hey, I'm not mad.I appreciate it.It's just..."
"Yeah, I know.You don't need it."She checked her watch again."But Tanya does, so I'll be on my way."
"You drive safe," he called after her.
He leaned back against the pillows and listened to the front door close, and then, a few moments later, her truck starting up and pulling away.He closed his eyes and forced himself to breathe deeply.Pain seared through his chest.But that didn't stop him.
He opened his eyes again and tilted his head to the side when he heard another vehicle approaching.By the sound, he'd guess it was Blane rather than Janey — it sounded like a bigger truck.
"Hey, Blane!"he called when the front door opened.
Blane came in looking even grumpier than usual—which took some doing.
