“No, but I’ve heard her crying.”
“The tears seem a little late, if you ask me.” Lillian took another sip. “But I’ll be polite at dinner. Are you all right with the added company?”
He wasn’t sure what she was asking. “Shouldn’t I be?”
“This isn’t what you thought you were getting into. First Robyn, then Harlow and Austin. Now her friend Mindy. It’s a houseful.”
“This house can handle it.”
“That’s true. But you’ve lived alone for a long time. Is it too much?”
“I like having people around.”
“Good.”
Harlow walked in. She’d changed out of her shorts and T-shirt into a summer dress. Mason fixed her drink, then handed it to her. She thanked him and flopped down into a chair.
“You can hear her crying up and down the hall,” she said. “I feel bad for Mom having to deal with her.”
Robyn did seem to be the person everyone ran to, he thought.
Harlow sipped her drink, then looked at him. “Austin tells me you go jogging every morning. Mind if I join you?”
The request surprised him. “I’m out of here by six.”
“I can do that.” Harlow smiled. “So, tomorrow morning by the garage at six?”
“I’ll be there.”
“Me, too.”
twenty-four
“ISN’T IT LIKE five thirty in the morning?” Enid asked with a laugh. “Why are you up?”
“I’m jogging with Mason and Austin at six. I thought I’d call you first and see what’s going on.”
“Everything is great. I’m working more hours, and your dad gave me a raise.”
Harlow exhaled slowly, grateful her father hadn’t taken out his temper on her friend. “Just checking. It’s easy to leave stuff out in a text.”
“Hey, I wouldn’t do that.” Enid lowered her voice. “He misses you, by the way. Keeps asking if I’ve heard from you.”
Harlow knew they were still talking about her dad. “Funny, because he never texts me himself.”
“You don’t text him, either.”
“Taking his side?”
“Nope, just pointing out the obvious. I’m good at that.”
Harlow grinned as she walked back and forth in her room, warming up her muscles. “I’ll send him a quick hi. How’s that?”
“Very mature of you. And speaking of missing, how are things with Kip?”
“About the same. He wants me to come home, and I need more time.”
“But you’re still together.”
“Of course. I love him.”
“Just checking. I know he’s pulled some stuff, but he does love you.” Enid paused. “I gotta get ready for my charter. You should go back to bed.”
“I’m going running. As a future doctor, you should be excited about my commitment to exercise.”
“You’re already pretty active. I don’t worry about you that way. Talk soon.”
“Absolutely.”
Harlow hung up and tossed her phone on the bed. For a second she thought about putting in a quick call to Kip, but she decided against it. She was still processing their last conversation. Texting was safer.
She put on shorts, a tank top, and running shoes. She went into the bathroom, where she pulled her hair into a ponytail and slathered on sunscreen. When that was done, she collected her phone and a hat, then knocked on her brother’s door.
“You ready?”
He opened it, already dressed. “Just waiting on you, sis.”
They went downstairs together and found Mason waiting by the cars.
“We can take mine,” he said, opening the driver’s door.
Harlow pushed Austin toward the front passenger seat, then got in back. “Where are we going?”
“There’s a path that goes by the marina. I like to run there. You up for five miles?”
“Sure,” she said, hoping she was. Her runs at home were closer to three or four miles, but she figured she could push herself. “What about you, Austin? Want us to leave you behind?”
“Very funny. I can keep up.”
They were quiet as they drove down the hill, then out to the water. Mason parked in a public lot, and they got out.
“We’ll go slow to warm up,” Mason told them. “Stretch at the end. I’ll keep a steady pace. Shout out if it’s too much for you. No point in getting hurt just to try to look good.”
“You’re taking charge?” Harlow asked.
Mason looked at her, amusement darkening his eyes. “Yeah, I’m taking charge.”
She grinned. “Just asking.”
“Good. Let’s go.”
He started for the path. Once there, he broke into a slow jog. After a couple of minutes, Harlow glanced at her brother.
“You hear from Dad?”
“No. You?”
“No. I talked to Enid this morning, and she pointed out I could get in touch with him. I’m not sure I’m ready to be that mature.” She didn’t mention Enid saying he claimed to miss her, knowing that might hurt Austin’s feelings.
“You should make up with him,” her brother said. “You’re going back to work with him. It’s what you’ve always wanted.”
“I did. Now I’m less sure.” She looked at Mason. “Did you hear what happened with my dad?”
“Some.”
She filled him in on the low points of finding out he hadn’t ever planned to buy the business.
“I’m not sure what to do with all that,” she admitted. “I feel played, which is yucky, but it’s more than that. I was so entitled. It’s not a comfortable feeling.”
“You didn’t like being entitled?” he asked as he increased his pace.
“Everyone likes being entitled,” Austin said. “Knowing the world will do your bidding is great. It’s finding out that you’re selfish and thoughtless that sucks.”
Harlow winced. “Is that how you see me?”
“No. That’s how you see yourself.”
She groaned. “It’s early. Don’t be insightful. I just wish I knew what to do with my life.”