CHAPTER 10

“Okay...” Harper wipedher hands on her pants and turned to look at Mason. Layla was happily sitting at the table smashing macaroni and cheese into her mouth. Half with her hand and half with the plastic fork Harper had given her.

“That’s the most I’ve seen her eat since she arrived,” Mason muttered. He scratched his beard.

“What have you been feeding her?” Harper asked.

Mason shrugged. “Whatever I ate.”

Harper nodded. “While you won’t want to feed her mac and cheese all the time, it’s almost always an easy hit.”

“Almost?”

Harper grinned. “I had a cousin who hated cheese. This wouldn’t have gone over well at her house.”

Mason shook his head. “How do you women keep it all straight? I’m so far under water I don’t know which way is up.”

Harper grabbed Mason’s forearm, ignoring how much she enjoyed feeling the muscles there, and guided him to the couch. They could still see Layla, but could also talk without worry about what the child would hear. “Why don’t you tell me everything that happened. I think it might help if I know where you’re coming from and you have a friend who understands.” She paused and tilted her head with a grin. “Of course, I know you and Ethan are buds. Maybe he’s a better choice?”

Mason chuckled and settled against the couch cushions. “Somehow I’m guessing Ethan would be as lost as I am.”

Harper just waited. She might hate the fact that she was here in a friend capacity, but she loved being able to help. It would have to be enough. She glanced over her shoulder to see Layla throw some pasta on the floor. “You might need a dog,” Harper murmured.

Mason sighed. “Somehow I think another responsibility is the last thing I need right now.”

Harper shrugged. “Sometimes adding a responsibility lessens the impact of another, so life ultimately becomes easier.”

Mason’s eyebrows pulled together. “That might be too deep for my tired brain right now.”

Harper just smiled. “Just tell me what happened.”

And he did. For almost half an hour, Mason talked. It might have been more than Harper had ever heard him speak in one sitting and she knew she could listen to him talk forever. His deep, slightly rumbling voice resonated in her chest and made it ache for what she knew she could never have. That little flicker of hope that had always been sitting in the back of her mind had been extinguished when she’d had to negotiate with her mother just to keep getting a paycheck.

“Wow...” Harper knew her eyes were as wide as dinner plates as he finished his story. “That’s...insane.”

“Yep.”

Harper pinched her lips in thought. “What did your parents have to say about all this?”

“They weren’t happy at all,” Mason said with a harsh laugh. “They fought with the lawyer for close to an hour after the will was read, demanding Layla be given to them. If my brother Crew hadn’t helped run interference, I’m not sure I’d have made it out of the house with her.”

“Do you think they’ll come here?”

Mason shook his head, his eyes half closed. “I doubt it. Mom hates small towns.” He huffed. “I didn’t think about it until now, but that might have been what drove me here. Growing up, I didn’t have any problems with my mom, but I was naturally the quiet, obedient one. Going back to living with her, even for such a short time, made me realize just how difficult it must have been for Aimee.”

Harper’s eyes stung with tears for Mason, Aimee and little Layla. This whole situation was a nightmare and a pushy, overly difficult grandmother wasn’t going to help matters. It was a good thing Mason’s mom lived clear on the other side of the country. “I’m going to get Layla bathed. Why don’t you put together the crib I bought?”

Mason jerked upright. “You really think she’ll sleep in that?”

Harper nodded. “Yep. I’m sure it’s what she had when she was with her mom.” She started to walk away, but Mason grabbed her hand. A little jolt of electricity ran straight up her arm and Harper had to work to keep her face calm.

“I know I’ve said it already, but thank you,” Mason said in an almost reverent tone. His golden eyes were soft and framed by those dark lashes that made girls jealous. “I was trying to do this all by myself, but the more you explain, the more I realize that I wouldn’t have made it. You’re an amazing friend.”

Harper’s smile was shaky, but she kept it on her face. Who knew how badly one word could hurt. “You’re grateful that I’m a pushy know-it-all, who doesn’t know when to quit? Awesome. I’ll have to tell my mom those particular personality traits actually did come in handy one day.”

Her deflection worked perfectly as Mason chuckled, standing to his feet. “I’m assuming I’ll need tools?”

She nodded. “Yep. I have some in the car, but I’m sure you already have everything you need.”

“On it.” Mason glanced at Layla, turned to Harper and shuddered. “Is she going to get messy like that every night?”

“Maybe,” Harper admitted, laughing. “She’s just at an age where she’s learning to feed herself. Though sometimes she might let you take care of it, odds are she’ll want to be involved. Half the food will go in, half will be washed off in the bath.”

Mason rubbed his forehead. “I might need a hazmat suit.”

Harper’s smile continued as she walked over to the little girl. She studied Layla, who watched back with large, brown eyes. She really was a beauty. Brunette hair that would probably only continue to darken as she got older. The coloring definitely ran in the family, since it was similar to Mason’s. Though, Layla’s eyes were darker than Mason’s. It made Harper wonder exactly what Aimee looked like, or maybe Layla’s dad.

Harper shook her head. “It doesn’t matter, does it, sweetie?” Harper cooed. Her smile faltered when Layla continued to stare. It worried Harper that Layla spoke so little. Harper picked up the bowl. “Cheese? You like macaroni and cheese?”

Layla smiled a toothy grin.

Harper sighed but smiled back. For now, she would set the speaking on the back burner. When she was ready to, Layla would more than likely talk. But her world had just been turned completely upside down. It made sense she might be a little quiet for a while. The words would come back in time...hopefully.

*****

Tags: Laura Ann Romance
Source: readsnovelonline.net