"Oh, I just put in the request for them. "
"Do you think she'll move on it?" Logan wondered. "Move out, and bring you the diaries? The way you described her, she didn't seem to have much spine. "
"Some of us don't. And some of us find out we've got one, but misplaced it. She's young, and she doesn't have what you'd call a lot of spirit. And though I made it clear there were no strings, I'm fairly sure she'll feel obligated if she takes this job, and this apartment. Now whether she has the gumption to act on that obligation's another matter. "
"If she doesn't?" Mitch asked.
"Then I expect Cousin Rissy and I are due for a come-to-Jesus talk. I have a few cards up my sleeve, and I'll play them if I have to. "
David's eyes brightened as he leaned closer. "Dirt? Such as?"
"Family peccadilloes that she wouldn't care to have come to light, and that I'll assure her I will light up like Christmas unless she returns what belongs to Harper House. " She tapped David on the chin. "But for now, they're my little secrets. "
"Spoilsport. "
She turned, as did everyone else, when Hayley shouted. Her face glowing, she rushed breathlessly to the table. "She walked. She walked right to Harper. Three steps!"
Nothing would do but that Lily demonstrate her new skill again. But she just buckled at the knees each time Hayley tried to nudge her into a step. And preferred crawling on the patio or trying to climb up Roz's chair.
"I swear she walked. You can ask Harper. "
"I believe you. " Roz hauled Lily up to nuzzle. "Teasing your mama, aren't you?" She pushed back, rose with Lily in her arms, then picked up a cracker, held it out to Hayley. "You might as well start early using one of the primary parenting tools. Bribery. Scoot down there, hold that cracker out. "
As Hayley obeyed, Roz crouched, steadied Lily on her feet. "Harper held out a flower. "
"That boy knows how to charm the girls. Go on, baby. Go get it. "
To enthusiastic applause, Lily performed. Then she plopped down on her butt and ate the cracker.
When the others went inside, Roz sat with Mitch in the twilight.
"Would you be insulted if I said you make a beautiful honorary grandmother. "
"The termgrandmother is a bit of a jolt yet, but since I couldn't love that baby more if she were my own blood, no. She took her first steps to my boy. To Harper. It's hard for me not to focus on that, on the significance of it. "
"She's not seeing anyone? Hayley?"
"Her life's centered on Lily right now. But she's young and full of passion. There'll be someone sooner or later. As for Harper, I can't keep up with the females who come and go. Still, he doesn't bring them home to meet me. There's significance in that, too. "
"Well, speaking of sons, mine's seeing a new young lady. A local girl. And it happens he
r parents are members of your club. He'll be at the dinner dance tomorrow night. I'm looking forward to introducing you. "
"I'd love to meet him. Who's the girl?"
"Her name's Shelby - after the county, I'm guessing. Shelby Forrester. "
"It's a small and crowded world. Yes, I know Jan and Quill, Shelby's parents. I know her, too - and she's a lovely girl. Her parents and I are currently on . . . tenuous terms. Quill is doing business of some sort with Bryce, and it makes things a bit sticky between us. But that won't touch on anyone else. "
"No one does complex connections and tenuous terms like the South. "
"I suppose not, and I only mention it so that if you sense any awkwardness, you'll know why. But I'm prepared to be excruciatingly polite, so you needn't worry. "
"I'm not, whether you decide to be polite or otherwise. Why don't we take a walk? That way I can hold your hand and find some shadowy and fragrant corner of the garden where I can kiss you. "
"Sounds like a fine idea. "
"You're doing a fine thing for Jane Paulson. "