CHAPTER 19
Harper’s phone buzzedagain and she pinched her lips together. Mason had texted three times this morning and she had been studiously ignoring him. But it seemed the more she ignored him, the more determined he became and the less focused she managed to be.
They had spent all day apart yesterday and Harper had struggled all day long. Her brain had been at her canvas, but her heart had been elsewhere, and it had shown in everything she’d done.
She was ready to throw her canvas away and start over, but with the deadline looming, she couldn’t do it. There was absolutely not enough time to come up with something new.
Her phone finally stopped making noise and Harper let out a breath of relief. Maybe now he would leave her alone. She wasn’t trying to stay away from him forever, just...until she got herself figured out. Talking to Mason, having him touch her or even hearing Layla’s laugh, wouldn’t allow Harper to make a good decision. She’d be swayed by how much she enjoyed all those things, and then her heart would lead her head and she’d once again find her business crumbling at her feet.
No. This needed to be done in a much more strategic manner and that meant providing her own company for a little bit longer.
Harper studied her canvas. She had ditched the Impressionist idea. Yes...the winner of this particular competition usually had an Impressionistic vibe, but Harper just couldn’t wrap her head around it.
Nature was her specialty and that was going to be her best bet. She decided a few more trees on the mountain would be a good idea and began squirting green paint onto her work table. She wanted it a little lighter and added just a touch of white so there would be a greater contrast.
Just as she was lifting her hand to paint, there was a knock on the door and Harper sighed. She probably needed to ignore it, like she had her phone, but...
The knock sounded again.
Closing her eyes, Harper shook her head. “Coming!” she called. Setting down the brush, she wiped her hands on her smock and rushed to the door. “Oh! Hey, Mason.” Her heart lurched in her chest at the sight on her front porch.
Mason looked good enough to eat in his tight T-shirt and freshly combed hair. His beard was neatly trimmed and showed off his amazing jawline. He might be a big guy, but Harper knew she would enjoy staying inside his protective arms forever, if given half a chance.
“Harper!” Mason grinned and bounced Layla, who was reaching for Harper.
Harper stepped up and took the little girl. “Hey, sweetie. Come on in, guys.” She stepped back. “This is an unexpected visit.”
Mason rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah. I know, sorry. I tried calling, but...” He waved at her apron. “You’ve obviously been working, I’m sorry to interrupt it.”
Harper shook her head. “It’s fine. I needed a break anyway.” The words weren’t a lie, but Harper felt torn anyway. This was exactly what she had been afraid of. Now all she wanted to do was play with Layla and spend time with Mason. But what about her painting?
“I promise not to take your whole afternoon,” he said. “But I needed to talk to you about something.”
“Okay.” Harper tilted her head and swayed back and forth, glancing at Layla with a smile when the little girl began playing with her ponytail. She seemed to have a thing for Harper’s hair and it was fun as long as Layla didn’t pull too hard.
“I’m not quite sure how to say this, but...” Mason blew out a breath. “Mom got a new lawyer and she’s coming after Layla.”
Harper’s jaw dropped and she stopped moving. “Say what?”
He nodded. “Yeah. You know how Crew showed up at my house the other night, when I left the party? He called when I wasn’t home and told me about it. That’s why I ran out so quickly.”
“Mason,” Harper breathed. Shock couldn’t begin to describe the numbness that was taking over her system. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Mason had mentioned before his mother had threatened to come after Layla, but Harper hadn’t believed it would truly come to that. Now here it was...staring her in the face and she could barely wrap her brain around it. “What are you going to do?”
Mason swallowed. “I’ve got a lawyer friend helping me out. He’s actually the lumbermill’s lawyer, but he studied family law early in his career, so he was willing to take on the case.” Mason shrugged. “I’m going to fight. What else can I do?”
Harper nodded. “That’s the only thing you can do.” She looked at Layla, who was watching them with her two favorite fingers in her mouth. “You can’t let her go, Mason,” Harper whispered. “You just can’t.”
“I know,” Mason choked out. He scrubbed his hands down his face. “It’s just...hard to feel like I have a chance of winning. My mom has money, experience and stability on her side. I’m just...me.”
Harper set Layla down and walked over, resting her hands against Mason’s chest. “Mason, no one is more qualified to take care of that little girl.”
He snorted. “Harper, you had to come over for days to show me how to take care of her. I’m not sure the word ‘qualified’ should be used in conjunction with me at all.”
Harper playfully slapped his chest. “None of that.” She pointed to Layla. “No one loves that little girl like you.” Harper shook her head hard. “Your mother might have more money, but she doesn’t have Layla’s best interest at heart, not even close. Don’t you dare give up before you’ve even fought. Layla needs you.”
Mason’s eyes grew intense in a way that put butterflies in Harper’s stomach. His hands landed on her hips and he flexed them several times. Why, oh why couldn’t it be naptime?
“Thank you,” he said in a low tone. “I needed to hear you say that.”
Harper gave him a small smile. The air was still too heavy for levity, but if she didn’t say something, she would rise up on her tiptoes and kiss him whether or not Layla was around. “I know.”
Mason barked a laugh and let go of her. “I never quite know what I’m going to get with you,” he said between laughs.
Harper’s smile was more relaxed now. She could think better now that he wasn’t touching her. “Come on. I’ll feed you two lunch. My stomach’s been growling for hours.”
Mason picked up Layla and pried the magazine she was shredding out of her hands. “Sorry.”
Harper waved him off. “No worries. It’s an old one anyway.” She took it from him and tossed it in the garbage. “Quesadillas okay?”
“Works for me,” he said as he followed her into the kitchen. “How’s the painting coming?”
The question was completely innocent, but made her pause. This was one of the times that Maeve had been talking about. Only one thing could be important. Either Harper could usher them out of the house so she could paint, or she could set aside the painting and enjoy their time. With Layla’s nap hitting soon, Harper knew Mason would have a few ideas of how to pass the time, and the thought sent a thrill up her spine. She wanted it too. She wanted the kiss she had been denied just a few minutes ago. She wanted him to hold her and tell her it would all be okay, the same way she had done for him. She wanted...
“It’s fine,” Harper said, turning toward the fridge so he couldn’t see how strained her smile was. “It’s coming along just fine.”
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