Page 57 of Emergency Exit
“You’re right,” said Rowan. “That was poor strategy on my part.”
Ash looked at Rowan in surprise but didn’t say anything.
“I’ll try for a lunch on neutral territory after she gets back from Palm Springs,” continued Rowan.
“That seems better,” said Harper, feeling reassured by Rowan’s new plan. She knew from Ash that Rose’s relationships with her older sons were strained. But it seemed like Rowan, at least, was making an effort.
“I’ll tell you what,” said Rowan. “Why don’t you take Harper and Mom home, and I’ll tidy up and secure the house?”
“Secure the house?” repeated Ash.
“Put the cardboard over the broken glass,” Rowan translated.
“I can help,” said Ash.
“No, let’s face it, having Mom out of my hair will make it go twice as fast, and Harper apparently has a meeting with the feds in the morning.”
“FEMA is not the feds. We’re trying to get one of our training sessions to qualify for the NDEMU independent study credits.”
Rowan looked at Ash.
“Harper is in Emergency Management,” said Ash. “She uses even more acronyms than you do.”
“Impressive,” said Rowan. Harper couldn’t tell if he meant that or not. “But you guys should really head out.”
“If you’re sure,” said Ash hesitantly.
“Yeah,” said Rowan. “Go on. Harper, it was nice to meet you. I’m glad Ash is dating someone colorful.”
Harper laughed at the description.
“Yeah,” said Ash, grinning. “Harper’s one of our kind.”
Harper smiled, but she still couldn’t help wondering if it was true or if Stephanie was right. He wouldn’t even tell his brother about her. How well could she really fit into his life?
18
Ash
Thanksgiving
Ash drank half his bourbon in one gulp and stared at Rowan’s unlit fire pit.
Rose had ended up staying a week while Forest’s crew upgraded her house to something more resilient than sliding glass doors. Ash had taken a step back from events, and that meant less time with Harper, and then all of his texts to Harper had gotten weird and stilted.
It wasn’t his family’s fault that he hadn’t gotten to talk to Harper for a week, but it was his brother’s fault that Rose had made alternative plans for Thanksgiving. And it was their fault that every time their childhood got mentioned, they seemed to go out of their way to say something hurtful.
Ash took another sip. He could feel the alcohol buzzing in his veins. It was too cold to be standing in the backyard without an overcoat on. He ought to go back up to the porch and sit under the heat lamp. Rowan hadn’t seemed mad at him. Of course, as usual, Rowan had also agreed with Forest. The two of them could never see the good things about their mother. The worst part was that sometimes Ash thought they were right.
Ash knew things were weird with Harper, but he missed her, so he tossed off something that he hoped didn’t sound too drowned in self-pity. He hit send on the message and was relieved when Harper immediately texted back. She was hating her Thanksgiving, too. The tiny little message made him feel infinitely less alone.
Maybe we can both fly to Cancun next year. See you next weekwhen you get home?
He waited for a reply and hoped he hadn’t screwed everything up with her. She was the best thing that had happened to him in years, and he couldn’t believe he was somehow managing to let her slip through his fingers. Why were inventions, business, and widgets so easy but people so hard?
Yes, please.
He breathed out a sigh of relief.
