Page 95 of The Vet's Unconditional Love
Harper looked over to where Shelley was pointing—at Emmett and Blane.Blane looked momentarily shocked, then… perhaps not angry, but certainly not happy.Emmett, on the other hand, looked… just plain shocked.
As she watched, they kept talking, and the moment—whatever it was—diffused.
"I'm sure they're fine," she told Shelley."If anyone watched our expressions when we're catching up, they'd see us go through a whole range of emotions—even when we're talking about nothing in particular."
"True."Shelley glanced over at the men again before she turned back to Harper."And since we are catching up—what's going on with you?"
"Everything's fine," she said with a smile."We had a kind of date on Friday night, and it was wonderful."
"Aww, I'm glad.And how are things with the girls?"
"They're going well.Tanya's easy.She's such a little sweetheart, she just wants to see everyone happy—and half the time she's off in her own little world anyway."
"And Alana?Are things… less easy with her?"
"No.It's not that.It's just with her being older, you know?"
"I don't, but I imagine it must be harder for her—to see her dad with someone new."
Harper nodded, scanning the side of the barn.She soon spotted Alana with little Maya; they were picking wildflowers."I think she's all right with it.She thinks she's all right with it, but I'm sure there will be moments."
She jumped in her seat when a large hand came down on her shoulder."Damn, Blane—you scared the life out of me!"
"Didn't mean to.I'm leaving now.I wanted to say goodbye."
She raised her eyebrows."Do you mean you want a word before you go?"She started to get to her feet, but he smiled.
"No.I meant what I said—I wanted to say goodbye."
"Okay.Uh, thanks, I think.See you soon, I guess."
His whole face transformed when he laughed.
"You want to be careful," she told him."Acting all jovial like that, I might get the wrong impression."
"And what would that be?"
"That you're not so scary and possibly even fun."
He smiled through pursed lips."I'll keep on laughing, then.I'm gonna head out, but I didn't want to go without saying anything to you."
"But not anything in particular?"she asked with a smirk.
"No, nothing in particular—just letting you know that you're on my radar."
"And you'll be watching me?"
He chuckled."No!Stubborn woman.I'm trying to make a gesture here.If I left without having said a word to you all afternoon, you'd probably take that to mean something."
"You're right.I would.So, coming to say a word—even if it's only goodbye—I'm supposed to take that to mean something else?"
"Yeah."
"What exactly?So I don't get the wrong idea."
He narrowed his eyes at her, but she could see a glint of humor in them."This was me trying to let you know—subtly—that we're on the same team.I can see that subtle isn't going to work with you, though."
She gave him a bright smile."Oh, it will—later.Somewhere down the line, when I'm as certain as I can be that you're not going to tear me limb from limb for stepping out of line."
