Page 38 of The Vet's Unconditional Love
"Yeah, me too.She did great."
"She's fantastic," said Harper."I'm genuinely impressed."
"She should be the star of the show," Tanya declared."I heard Ms.Kendrick telling one of the parent volunteers that Alana should have had the lead, but Kennedy Sinclair got it because her dad sponsored the production.You know them, Dad, they're the family that built that big fancy house down by the river."She frowned."Wait, sponsored means he pays for it, right?So, like, he bought her the lead part?"
Harper bristled at that and turned to Emmett, but he just shrugged."Don't get too mad about it; it's the way things have always worked around here.Shall we head outside to find Alana?She might be planning to hang out with her friends, but I want to check in with her before we leave."
Harper was about to tell him that Alana had said she'd be coming straight home with them, but decided there was no need for her to say it.Alana would tell him herself.
"We planned to meet up outside the back door where I usually pick her up," she said."Why don't you guys go on, I just want to pay a quick visit.I'll meet you out there."
She smiled to herself at the way Tanya grabbed Emmett's hand as they left.Sometimes she seemed older and wiser than her years, but at other times, especially around her dad, it seemed, she slipped back into being just a little girl.
She caught up with Emmett and Tanya just as the kids started spilling out the back door of the theater.Alana spotted them right away and waved, even while she was still talking to her friends.Emmett caught Harper's eye."She might want to hang out with them to talk about how it went."
"No," Tanya interrupted him."We're all going to get something to eat."
Harper raised her eyebrows—that was the first she'd heard of it.
"We'll see," said Emmett."You guys don't always get the chance to hang out with your friends on the weekends.We'll see what she says."
"No, look, she's coming," Tanya insisted, tugging on his hand."Come on, you'll see."
Harper followed them toward Alana, who was already saying goodbye to her friends.Harper watched curiously as one of the boys touched Alana's arm."I can give you a ride back afterward if that's what you're worried about."
Harper glanced at Emmett, wondering how he'd feel about that.But his face looked determinedly neutral until he visibly relaxed at Alana's reply.
"That's okay, thanks.I'll catch up with you on Monday at school.We have plans.See ya."
The look she gave him told Harper that the two of them would be hanging out very soon, even if not this afternoon.
Alana came straight to Emmett and hugged him."I'm so glad you made it, Dad."
Emmett held her close for a moment as he said, "Me too," before stepping back.
"And you, Harper.What did you think?"
"I think you were amazing.In fact, I don't just think it, I know it.You're fantastic.The whole production was good, but you..."She nodded enthusiastically."You're a very talented young lady."
"Thanks."Alana glanced at Emmett as she added, "It's what I want to do."
Emmett smiled through pursed lips."And it's a career you can explore once you're done with your education."
Harper relaxed when Alana laughed and said, "I know, I know.We don't need to get into that right now.Me and Tanya were thinking that we could all go to the diner to eat if you guys want to."
"Can we?"asked Tanya, tugging on Emmett's sleeve."We haven't been forages, and I'll bet Harper's never been.We could all go together.What do you say, Dad?"
Emmett raised his eyebrows at Harper as he told the girls, "Harper might have other plans."
She tensed for a moment, wondering if he was looking to her for an out or just being considerate.He chuckled, as if reading her mind, and added, "I mean, I'd love to go.The food might not be up to your New York standards, but it's pretty good."
She made a face at him."Everywhere I've eaten around here so far has been more than pretty good.So yeah, if we're all up to it, I'd love to visit the diner.I'm trying to work my way through every eatery in town.So..."
"Awesome," said Alana."Let's go.Where's your truck, Dad?We can all ride together, can't we?"
Emmett raised his eyebrows at her again, and Harper chuckled as she said, "That's fine by me.As long as you drop me off back here at my truck later.I'm good."
Tanya sighed."Aw, I was hoping we could all ride home together later, too.We could have if I'd...No, we couldn't have."
