Page 94 of Sins of the Father

Hope’s face lights up, and she reaches for Anna.

“We had fun yesterday, didn’t we?” Anna coos and takes her from me.

I sit on the couch, and she follows.

“Spill it, Harper.”

“Why don’t you tell me your dirt and I’ll tell you mine.”

“I didn’t leave a child with you for almost twelve hours and avoid your calls all day.”

“I didn’t—”

“Look at your missed messages.”

“I can’t. I don’t have my phone.”

“Where is it?”

I close my eyes.There’s no getting out of it.

“I left it at the pawnshop.”

Anna’s voice gets lower. “Harper, you need to let people who love you help you.”

“That’s not how I was raised.”

“That’s not true.”

“Yes, it is. My parents didn’t raise me to accept handouts.”

“No. They raised you to ask for help when you need it and help others when they are in distress. The street goes both ways.”

I turn toward the window.

“What’s going on with you and Steven?”

I spin back. My pulse beats quicker. “What do you mean?”

Anna tilts her head. “You were together all weekend. I thought he was going to have a heart attack last night before you called. When he picked Hope up, he was protective as a mother hen, not telling us whatever happened to you.”

The doorbell buzzes again, and I go to the intercom. “Hello.”

“Is this Harper?”

“Yes.”

“This is Steven Sinclair’s executive assistant, Shira. He asked me to deliver something to you and said I was not to leave it with anyone except directly in your hands.”

“Oh...okay. Come up.”

The elevator doors open, and a beautiful younger woman with long black hair, big brown eyes, and an excited smile steps out. She holds out her hand, and we shake.

“I’m Shira.”

“I’m Harper.”

“It’s nice to meet you. Actually, if I’m honest, I was super curious who the woman is who stole Steven Sinclair’s heart.”

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