by Kathi Daley
“I have news,” Holly said after hugging Harper hello and escorting Bosley through the eclectic farmhouse and out into the yard to the other dogs.
“Good news, I hope.” Harper crossed the room and picked up the baby, who had been sleeping in her infant carrier. God, she had missed her. The highlight of her days since returning to Moosehead had been coming by for a cuddle.
“The best news. Ben and his FBI buddy worked it out for Bella to get a new identity. She will get a new birth certificate and a history that does not involve either Isabella Fernandez or Salvador Garcia in any way. No one will ever know who she was or how she started out.”
Harper grinned as the baby pursed her lips. “That’s wonderful. Are you sure there won’t be a paper trail of any sort back to Isabella?”
“Ben says no. He says that all links to her past will be permanently dissolved.”
Harper let out a breath of relief. “That’s great. I know the only thing that really mattered to Isabella was that her daughter was safe and that she was offered the opportunity for a normal life.” Harper frowned. “I guess that means she will be put up for adoption.”
Holly offered Harper a sincere look. “Not necessarily. Bella is not in the system. No one knows she is here. Ben said he can work it out for us to keep her if we decide we want to do that, and the paper trail will support the idea that we were the ones to adopt her. Having said that, it would be just as easy to fix the paperwork to show that you are her adoptive mother. Ben and I both want to give you the chance to raise her if you want to.”
Harper felt a catch in her chest. “As much as I want to, I can’t. It wouldn’t be fair to her. Not only am I single but I don’t have a job, a future, or even a permanent place to live. My life is too unsettled to bring a baby into it.”
Holly took Harper’s hand in hers. “While I would never encourage anyone who didn’t feel ready for a baby to adopt one, I’d hate to see you make a decision you’ll regret later. Fate seems to have brought you and Bella together. Yes, I do agree that the timing could be better because your life does seem a bit unsettled. But you aren’t alone. You have a big extended family of people who love you, and I’m sure Dixie and your mom would welcome both you and the baby into their home. You may not have a job right now, but you are a brave, strong, intelligent woman. I’m sure there are tons of opportunities out there just waiting to be found. You may not be married, but single women raise children all the time. Besides, you have Michael, and I suspect he would make an excellent uncle if nothing else. And you have Ben and me, who, of course, would be willing to babysit and help out in any other way you needed.”
Harper hesitated.
Holly’s deep blue eyes grew serious. “If you decide not to adopt her, Ben will arrange for the adoption paperwork to bear our name. You have a few days to decide if you want to think about it.”
Harper let out a long breath. “I do love Bella, and I want what is best for her. I’m not sure what’s best for her is me, but I’ll think about it.”
“Please do,” Holly said as Ben walked in the front door with two brown-haired preschoolers.
“Bosley is here,” one of the twins shouted as he ran toward the back door.
“It’s my turn to play with him first,” his identical twin shouted as he ran after him.
Ben chuckled. “The boys sure love that puppy. I think we may need to consider an addition to the family.”
“We already have six dogs,” Holly countered.
“But none of them are puppies,” Ben pointed out. “Jake Fitzpatrick has lab puppies. I stopped by to look at them today. There is one that looks a lot like Bosley.”
Holly groaned and rolled her eyes, but even Harper could see that Joe and Reggie Holiday had a brand-new puppy in their future. She’d considered leaving Bosley with them, but her mom didn’t mind him being at the farm, and the energetic puppy seemed to fill at least part of the hole in her heart left by Bella and Michael.
“Holly was filling me in on the good news,” Harper said to Ben.
“I have additional news that I am anxious to share, so I am glad you are here.”
“I hope it’s good.”
Ben nodded. “The ledger you and Michael found contained not only dates and locations of past meets but future ones as well. The DEA was able to use the information to stake out one that had been mentioned between Garcia and one of his major distributors at the Port of Los Angeles. Long story short, Garcia died during the arrest and his distributor is in custody.”
Harper nodded. “I am so relieved. What about Loughlin, the CHP officer who shot Agent Beaverton?”
“Also dead. And the DEA mole is dead as well. We suspect that Garcia did a bit of housekeeping before the attempted capture. I can’t say for certain that there aren’t any other bad guys out there, but I do think that with Garcia’s death, no one is going to be looking for either you or Bella, and even if someone knew about the baby, there is not a single link between Bella and the child Isabella gave birth to.”
Harper signed in relief. It looked like the chase was finally over. Now all she needed to do was to find a way to get over Michael, who hadn’t called once in the week since he left, and figure out what to do about Bella, a baby she very much wanted but wondered if she could care for.
Chapter 20
Michael stood on his parents’ front porch and looked out toward the sea. He’d hadn’t wanted to come home, but now he was glad he had. There was something about the tide rolling toward the shore that seemed to calm his soul. Sure, it had stung more than just a bit to see his twin brother with the woman he had once wanted to spend his life with, but after meeting Harper, he had realized that what he felt for Julia was pale in comparison to what he felt for a woman he had only known a couple of weeks. Perhaps Matthew had done him a favor when he’d prevented him from marrying someone he’d only thought he loved.
“I thought I’d find you out here hiding,” Megan said as she stepped out onto the porch from the house.
“I just needed some air. It’s a great party, Meg. Mom and Dad are lucky to have at least one child who makes sure that things like anniversaries are celebrated.”
Meg walked over to Michael and rested her head on his shoulder. “I think it is important that we remember that we are a family. I know things sort of fell apart when Maddie died, and it was a long time before we felt like celebrating anything, but if she had been old enough to understand such things, I suspect that she wouldn’t have wanted her death to act as a catalyst for the death of the whole family.” Meg took a deep breath. “If it had been me who died, I know I wouldn’t want my legacy to be one of destruction and despair.”
Michael put his arm around his sister’s shoulders. “I know. And I think Mom and Dad have finally figured that out too. They seemed genuinely happy today. And it was time for me to mend fences with Matthew and Julia. I’m grateful you badgered me into coming.”
Meg raised a brow, tipping her face toward his. “You are?”
He nodded. “I am. Maybe we can do a big family Christmas this year.”
Meg let out a long breath. “That would be so great, but it is going to be harder to convince Macy it’s a good idea. She took Maddie’s death harder than any of us. She was the oldest. She’d been put in charge. I know she blames herself for Maddie’s death every day of her life.”
Michael sighed. “Yeah. She has said as much to me. And I understand. It did seem as if Mom and Dad blamed her at first.”
The conversation stalled as the siblings dealt with their memories of the day Maddie died. Michael and Matthew had gone off fishing and their parents had been invited sailing, so Macy was put in charge of her three younger sisters. She was on the phone with her boyfriend and hadn’t even realized that Maddie had wandered into the water until it was too late. In a way, the family had lost both of them that day. Maddie drowned and Macy drifted away. She lived in Alaska now, and Michael hadn’t seen her in years.
“Have you heard when Marle
y might be back from her romp around Europe?” Michael asked.
Megan shrugged. “She hasn’t said, but the last time I spoke to her it seemed like she was getting restless. I’d be willing to bet she will be home by Christmas. Of course, I have no idea where I’ll be.”
“Job hunt still giving you fits?”
Megan nodded. “I just lost a job to a guy who probably didn’t do as well in medical school as I did, but he did a stint with Doctors Without Borders, and, from what I’ve heard, diversity in a résumé holds a lot more water than I expected.”
“So all your experience at a top-rated hospital is actually hurting your chance of getting a job at those same hospitals?”
Meg nodded. “Ironic, isn’t it?”
“Maybe you need to spice up your résumé. Do some work in a rural setting.”
Meg turned to look her brother in the eye. “Macy said much the same thing when we were chatting in one of our weekly Skype sessions.”
“You Skype with Macy every week?”
Meg glanced at him. “She is my sister.”
“I know, but she is my sister too and I haven’t spoken to her in years. I guess I’m just surprised to hear you had stayed in touch.”
Megan shrugged. “I keep up with everyone. It is my job as the middle sister. So, back to my problem.”
Michael turned slightly. “I think a gig in a rural setting is a good idea. Not only because I agree that it would provide diversity to your résumé but because I think you could use some time to focus on you. You spend a lot of time taking care of everyone else and making sure that everyone is happy, but I think you need to take time to make sure that you are happy.”
“I’m happy.”
“Are you?”
Meg glanced away, but Michael could see a tear in her eye.
“I may know of an opening that could fit the bill very nicely.”
Meg turned toward him. “I’m listening.”
“The clinic in Moosehead staffs two doctors. The last time I was there, visiting Ben, I heard that one of the doctors had decided to retire and move to Texas to be closer to his daughter. I don’t know for certain that the position is still available, and even if it is, it probably doesn’t pay much, but if you are interested, I could make some calls.”
Meg nodded. “I’m interested.”
“Okay. Let me see what I can find out. If the position is still open, when would you be available?”
“June. I need to finish my current rotation and then I’ll need a few weeks to gather my belongings and make the move. You mentioned a clinic. Is there a hospital nearby?”
“I guess in a pinch a patient in need of monitoring could stay overnight at the clinic, but anyone with a serious illness or injury is transferred to a hospital in one of the larger cities in the area. The man who is retiring, Dr. Quinlan, has been the town doctor for forty years. He is somewhat set in his ways and, from what I understand, wasn’t interested in making any changes to the way things had always been done, but the other doctor, Kennedy, is a bit more progressive. I can see a real hospital in Moosehead’s future should the funding present itself.”
Megan paused before replying. “Okay. Make your calls. If the job is still open, get me the contact information of the person doing the hiring. Getting up close and personal with wolves and mosquitos hasn’t ever been a dream of mine, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get the job I’ve dreamed of for most of my life.”
Michael took his sister’s hand in his. “I actually think you will like Moosehead. It is small, and there aren’t a lot of options when it comes to dining and the arts, but the people have huge hearts and the local events are the best you would find anywhere. In a way, living in Moosehead is like being a member of a huge family. Folks care about one another. The people who live in the community go the extra mile to be part of the lives of their neighbors.”
“Sounds like maybe you should consider a move to this small town you seem so fond of.”
Michael narrowed his gaze. “Perhaps I will.”
Chapter 21
Harlow’s heart pounded as Harper walked in through the front door of The Book Nook. She hated to admit how much this sister’s approval meant to her. Not that Harper was ever cruel in any way, but she was the sister who was most likely to tell her what she really thought about something, minus any sugarcoating. Dixie and her mom told her they loved it, but she knew they’d say that even if they hated it. Haven loved everyone and everything, so her gushing over the store was a given. Hayden hadn’t seen the place yet because she hadn’t visited home in eons, and Haley had helped her with the remodel, so of course she had to say she loved everything about it. But Harper…Harper would be the member of the family who would provide the most authentic feedback.
“So, what do you think?” Harlow waved her arm in a grand gesture.
“Wow, Harlow, this is really something.” Harper tightened her hand on Bosley’s leash as Harlow’s Bernese Mountain Dog, Maggie, wandered over to greet them. “I can’t believe this is even the same place.”
Harlow grinned from ear to ear. “I wanted to create a space that was bright and cheerful even in the dead of winter. The blue on the walls reminds me of the glassy blue of Beaver Lake on a sunny day, and of course, the white bookshelves make all the difference in my opinion. Oh, and the seating area.” She grabbed Harper’s hand. “You have to see what Haley helped me create.” She pulled her sister toward the back of the room, where a doorway led into a second large room lined with windows that seemed to bring the outdoors inside.
“This is amazing. Dixie told me that you had added a seating area, but she didn’t say it had huge windows that looked out over the garden or a gas fireplace for the winter.”
Harlow twined her finger together, hugging her hands to her chest. Harper’s reaction had been everything she’d hoped for. “I added a French door that opens out to the patio and garden area. During the summer, I set out tables with umbrellas. There is even a lawn area for anyone who wants to stretch out on a blanket under the big old maple that provides shade to the entire area. It’s really quite pleasant out there on all but the hottest days.”
“It sounds wonderful.”
“It is. And I love spending time in the garden. Maybe too much. There are days I spend more time planting flowers than keeping track of my inventory, but it is just so relaxing to be outdoors in such a lovely setting. Cooper teases me about sleeping out on the lawn so I don’t have to come inside.”
“Cooper? As in Ben’s assistant Cooper?”
Harlow nodded. “Do you know Coop? I guess you might have met him when you were visiting with Holly.”
“He’s a friend of yours?”
Harlow smiled. “He is. He moved to Moosehead about three years ago. He loves to read almost as much as I do, and we both love to watch reruns of old mystery shows like Murder, She Wrote, Sherlock Holmes, and of course the old Agatha Christies. Coop is superfunny and really smart. He was going to join the FBI, but Ben somehow managed to convince him to stay here and work with him.”
Harper grinned even bigger. “I haven’t met your Cooper yet, but suddenly I am very excited to do so.”
“You’re really going to like him. He is supernice and so willing to pitch in. He had his own work to do, yet he still helped me with the painting and sanding during the remodel. He will be here for book club if you want to come by. We hold it here every Tuesday and Thursday at six. Tuesday is for romances, but Thursday is mystery night.”
“I’d love to come. Now, show me the rest of the place. I understand that you live upstairs.”
Harlow grabbed Harper’s hand. “Come on and I’ll show you. My apartment is almost as awesome as the bookstore.”
The two dogs followed the pair up the narrow staircase to the small apartment she had worked so hard on. It was a compact space with a bedroom in the back, a small kitchenette, and a seating area barely large enough for a sofa and a coffee table. Haley had helped her to add a gas fir
eplace on one wall that provided both heat and atmosphere, and the bookshelves that lined the wall on both sides of the fireplace had been carefully arranged to display her favorite books and most treasured mementos.
Harper crossed the room and stood in front of an oil painting of Dixie and Denver sitting on a blanket with Daisy, the dog they had long before any of the Hathaway sisters were born. “This painting is amazing.”
“Haven did it. She gave it to me as a housewarming gift. I just love it. I really feel like she managed to capture their essence, not just their images.”
“They look so happy.”
“I think they were.”
“Haven looks so much like Dixie when she was her age.”
Harlow walked over and put her arm around her sister. “It is true that Haven takes after Dixie in both looks and personality. Hayden, Haley, you, and I all have dark hair like Dad, but Haven has Dixie’s blond hair and blue eyes. She even has that whole hippie vibe going on.”
Harper leaned her head on her sister’s shoulder. “It’s been so long since I’ve been home that I’d forgotten.”
“Haven was only ten when you left. I suppose she hadn’t really developed her personality by then, and you haven’t seen her but one or two times since. In fact, it wasn’t until she hit her teen years that it became obvious that she came along to follow in Dixie and Denver’s footsteps in a way that Mom never had.”
Harper laughed. “Are you trying to say that our baby sister is in to the whole free-love thing?”
“No. At least, I don’t think so. She goes out from time to time, but she seems to be more interested in her art, her band, her garden, and the veterinary clinic than she is in dating.”
