The problem was, she was starting to feel as if she didn’t want just memories. She wanted him.
A funny sound reached her ears, some sort of music. She blinked and realized it was her phone, which she’d left in her purse. It stopped ringing, but then started again, and with a sigh she slid off the bed and tiptoed out to the living room to grab it.
The display showed Adele’s number. She kept her voice low so she hopefully wouldn’t wake Drew.
“Hello, Adele.”
“Oh, good, you’re there. I’ve been worried sick.”
“You have? I didn’t answer the first time you called because I was sleeping.”
It wasn’t exactly a lie.
“But I texted you like ten times.”
“Sorry. It was a long nap.”
Adele let out a long breath. “Okay. I’m sorry. I knew you’d gone into the mountains today and then the storm blew in and the power went out and I was so worried.”
Yes, because clearly she couldn’t be trusted to take care of herself. Irritation flared, an emotion that felt out of place. Usually she was so easygoing. What had happened to change that? It couldn’t be Adele’s hovering; Harper knew her friend was just concerned. There was a lot at stake.
Maybe it was stress. Hormones. Or the fact that Drew’s arrival had suddenly made her unsettled and longing for...more.
“I’m fine,” she said, as kindly as she could muster. “We went early this morning and were back by late afternoon, before the storm blew in. No worries at all. I got some great pictures and it was good to be outdoors for the day. I needed it.”
“And you didn’t overdo it?”
Harper pinched her nose, willing herself to be patient. “No, I didn’t. We took our time and rested lots. Had a picnic in the meadow at the top. I’m fine. The baby’s fine.”
Adele’s exhale sounded relieved. “And we’re still going to do lunch next week?”
Drew called her name and she went to the door of the bedroom, putting a finger to her lips as she met his gaze. “How about Tuesday?” she asked Adele. “Monday I’ll be trying to catch up after this week’s wedding.”
“Tuesday’s fine. I miss seeing you, Harper. You haven’t even been here for dinner in ages. Not since we had our last appointment.”
“I know. You know what summer is like. Busiest time of year.”
“You know it.” The conversation turned to wedding discussion and Harper rolled her eyes at Drew, eliciting a snort from him. When Adele had finally finished with her story, Harper interjected.
“Adele, I’m still really tired. I’m going to go back to bed. I don’t mean to cut this off...” She wondered if her nose would grow like Pinocchio’s for lying. But if she said she was in Drew’s hotel room, Adele would lose her mind.
“Oh! Of course. I’ll text you about Tuesday. And glad you’re okay. Stay dry. I’m glad the power’s back on.”
That was news to Harper, and she let out a breath. “Me, too.”
“Oh, one more thing. How was Drew today?”
Funny how she added it on at the very end, as an afterthought. Harper had no doubt that Adele’s first priority was making sure Harper was home and okay, but she also knew that Adele would be dying to know about her outing with Drew.
“Oh, fine. I’m sure Dan told you he hired a helicopter. I braved it, even with my fear of heights. So I didn’t even have to hike that far.” She rolled her eyes at Drew again, and his brown eyes lit up with mischief. “I’ll tell you all about it at lunch.”
“Okay. Well...talk soon.”
Harper hung up and went to sit on the edge of the bed. “Adele was worried. But apparently the power is back on.”
He nodded. “You fell asleep. I didn’t have the heart to wake you. Then you took me with you.” His smile was adorable.
Then he leaned up on an elbow and kissed her, just a simple, sweet kiss, but it caught her by surprise. Then he pulled back, lifted her hand and kissed it. Despite all her best intentions, Harper felt herself make the remaining slide straight into love.