Harlow was at the big kitchen table, working on her laptop. She looked up as her mom entered.
“What’s wrong? You look... I don’t know. Upset maybe?”
“More afraid,” Robyn admitted, pouring coffee into a mug. “I’m not sure how much longer I can listen to Mindy have the same stupid conversation.” Robyn crossed to the table and took a seat. “What are you working on?”
“Trying to figure out what to do with my life.”
Robyn laughed as she settled across from her daughter. “Gee, I’ve been doing the same thing. Want to compare notes?”
Harlow nodded. “Absolutely. You’re going to open an antique store, right?”
“That’s the long-term plan. Hopefully very long-term.”
“Are you going to move back to Naples?”
The question surprised Robyn. “Why would you ask that?”
Harlow closed her laptop. “I don’t know. You like it here. Austin’s down in San Diego, looking at going to college there. I’m an adult. I wasn’t sure you wanted to go back to your old life. I mean, Mason’s here.”
“I’m not moving anywhere because of a man,” Robyn said firmly. “I did too much I didn’t want to do when I was married.”
She paused, wishing she’d phrased that statement a little differently. “What I mean is—”
Harlow touched the back of her hand. “I know what you mean, Mom. It’s everything from not going to college to agreeing to live in the house Dad bought.” She hesitated. “You gave him more chances than he deserved, and in the end he cheated again.”
Their eyes met. “I wish we weren’t having this conversation,” Robyn admitted. “Mostly because I wish you didn’t know what happened.” She was pretty sure her daughter only had broad strokes, but they were enough. “What happened between your father and me is our rock to carry. Not yours. I don’t want this to be an added stress.”
“It’s not that, exactly. More eye-opening. I get what you mean about defining yourself through Dad. Mason wouldn’t be like that.”
“I know. I’m just cautious.”
“But you like him?”
Robyn smiled. “I do. Very much.”
“Me, too. Don’t take this wrong, but Jase wasn’t exactly warm. Mason likes people. He doesn’t take a lot of crap from anyone. I respect that.” She smiled. “And back to my original point, which was a really good one, you don’t have to come back to Florida. Things are different now.”
Robyn leaned toward her. “Lillian’s asked me to move in with her. I think she would like the company.”
“Are you considering it?”
“I hadn’t been. I’d assumed I was needed at home. But you’re right about Austin. If he’s getting ready to go to college, then I can relax about him. Which leaves only you.” Robyn studied her daughter. “I’m not sure I’m comfortable with you on the other side of the country.”
“I don’t like it, either, but you can’t live your life based on me.”
“Okay,” Robyn said slowly. “What does that mean?”
“I’m trying to grow up,” Harlow said lightly. “Be less selfish. You’re still young, Mom. You have to think about what you want.”
“And when you have my first grandchild? Don’t you think I want to be there?”
Harlow’s eyes widened. “That is not happening for years. Like years and years. That’s a far, far out in the future thing.”
Robyn hid a smile. “Okay, no pressure.”
“Jeez. Kids! Way to spoil the mood.”
“So if you’re not looking to get pregnant, what are you going to do?”
Harlow surprised her by sighing. “I don’t know. I’m still working through what happened with Dad.”
“Your dad has flaws, but so does everyone. Harlow, I know what he did was wrong and you’re the one suffering, but I would hate to see you throw away the dream you’ve carried for so long because of that. Your dad won’t want to work into his eighties. In a few years, he’ll be ready to cut back, and you’ll want to be there to take his place.”
Harlow rested her chin on her hand. “Maybe. I don’t know. I’ve never worked anywhere else, Mom. I haven’t even ever filled out a job application. Maybe I should get some experience with another company before going back to work for Dad.”
Robyn did her best not to let her shock show. She’d never heard her daughter talk like this. “Where would you go?”
Harlow raised the top of her laptop and turned it so Robyn could see the screen. “There’s a charter company in the Keys that’s about the same size as Dad’s. I know the owner’s son. We were at college together.” She smiled wistfully. “I met his dad a couple of times, and he joked about hiring me away. I don’t know if he was just being nice, but maybe I should talk to him.”
Robyn glanced at the website and back at her daughter. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Me, either. I’m just thinking about stuff. Maybe if I got experience somewhere else, Dad would take me more seriously. Maybe it would be good for me to not be the boss’s kid and have to make it by myself.”
“You’ve worked hard. You did great at college.”
Harlow didn’t look convinced. “That’s school, not real life. I want to earn my place. I don’t want it handed to me.”
“You’re a really good charter captain.”
Harlow relaxed. “I am. I do good work. So it might be time to prove that to the world.” Her mouth curved up. “Plus, if you’re right about Dad wanting to step down in a few years, then he’ll be anxious to get me back.” She closed her laptop again. “I’m not making any decisions right this second, but I’m considering options. You should be proud.”
“I always am.” Her little girl was growing up. Robyn knew it was inevitable, but to see it happen in front of her was unexpected.
“So about today,” Harlow said. “I was thinking wine tasting.”
“What do you mean?”
“You, me, Mindy and Mason go wine tasting. I talked to Lillian earlier, and she would rather stay here. So we’ll drive in, taste a little wine, give you a break from Mindy and get buzzed.”
Robyn glanced over her shoulder, then lowered her voice. “I’m in. Anything to keep me from having the same conversation with Mindy.”