Page 207 of It Happened on the Lake

He slowed, looking over his shoulder.

“I don’t even know your last name.”

His grin widened. “Prescott,” he said and then was off again.

She, still grasping the pill bottle, wondered what his game was.

Why was he interested in her?

And did he even know where she lived?

There was one way to find out.

Harper would take him up on his offer.

Chapter 51

Now that she was committed, Harper spent hours worrying about her upcoming date. What should she wear? Where would he take her? What would they do? How would she feel about being out with someone other than Chase?

“Quit being ridiculous,” she chided herself as she stood in front of a full-length mirror, eyeing her still flat stomach. She’d tried on a short dress, then a pair of bell-bottoms and a loose-fitting blouse, both of which she tossed onto her bed. Thankfully her clothes still fit, though she knew that would be short-lived.

She couldn’t understand her case of nerves. What did she care what she wore? Angry that it mattered at all, she settled on faded jeans and a crop top.

Marcia loudly disapproved. “Oh my God, Harper, what’re you thinking?” she’d cried. “You’re going to be a mother.”

“Leave her be,” Dad said before asking how she’d met Joel. Satisfied with her quick explanation, Dad met Joel at the door with Marcia hovering, pinched-faced, behind him. “Have a good time,” Dad said. “Home by midnight.”

Harper dashed out a little breathlessly, grateful to be out of the apartment.

Joel took her to a place he knew, a crowded café off campus that was filled with kids about her age. They shared a pot of cheese fondue while conversation and laughter buzzed around them. Afterward, because he knew the bouncer, Joel got her into a club though she was barely eighteen.

It was the first time she’d gone out in ages and it felt wonderful. Joel was funny, and though his sense of humor was a little on the sarcastic side, she liked it. She liked him.

She didn’t get home until nearly two and Marcia was beside herself, but her father, thank God, understood and before her stepmother could light into her, Dad told Harper goodnight and she shot into her room.

The second she closed the door behind her she could hear the argument resonating through the paper-thin walls. Ear to the door, she closed her eyes and listened.

“She just needs to unwind a little,” Bruce said. “Be a kid.”

“You gave her a curfew.”

“I know, but—”

“But she’s going to have a baby!” Marcia wasn’t about to be placated.

“I know, honey, but not for a while.”

“It’ll come sooner than you think. Really, I don’t know if I can take this! You know, Bruce, this wasn’t part of the deal! We had plans, remember? To travel? Once Harper was in college, we would be free to come and go as we please. To see the world! You promised!” Marcia’s voice had risen an octave. “You—You told me we would move into the main house on Lake Twilight, didn’t you? That we would live on the island. And you said, you promised that we would go to Hawaii and London and Paris and—”

“Shh, honey,” Dad cut her off. “We’ll still be able to do those things.”

“Are you out of your mind? We’re talking about another human being coming into the world. Ababywith diapers and bottles and toys and colic and tantrums and—Oh dear God, I can’t even think about it!”

“Then don’t.”

“But she’sherewith us! The baby will bewith us!”

“Marcia, please.”

---