The Summer Getaway: A Novel(109)

He scrambled to his feet and glared at her. “What does that even mean? You’re going to break off our engagement but still date me? That’s not happening. Why are you acting like this? Is it because of Tracey? I told you that was nothing. Why can’t you let it go?”

She stood. “You were married and didn’t tell me. We’ve been together nearly a year, and you never once mentioned you had an ex-wife. That’s big, Kip. That’s huge.”

“Okay, I was wrong, but you’re not easy to live with either. You’re moody and self-centered. I don’t complain because when you love someone, you’re supposed to love all of them. You’re supposed to love my past.”

“And Tracey?” she snapped. “Am I supposed to love her, too?”

“You’re being ridiculous.”

“That makes two of us.”

They glared at each other. Harlow knew the argument was a perfect illustration of how neither of them was in a place to even consider marriage.

“I don’t want to fight,” she said quietly. “I’m sorry. This isn’t going to work. I’ll be home in a few days to get my stuff and move out.”

All his anger disappeared, leaving him looking shell-shocked. “So we’re finished?”

“I’m moving to Key West. I have a job there starting in three weeks.”

His face tightened with rage. “You fucking bitch! You’ve known you were going to dump me for weeks, but you strung me along? You took another job and didn’t say anything? Who the hell do you think you are? You don’t play me.”

The words came out in a roar. Harlow instinctively took a step back, not sure what Kip was going to do. He raised his hand, as if to hit her, then froze.

Horror joined pain. “Don’t,” she whispered. “Don’t make this the last thing that happens between us.”

Slowly he lowered his arm. After snatching the ring from her hand, he stalked back to the house. Harlow collapsed onto the grass, pulled her legs to her chest and rested her forehead on her knees. There weren’t any tears, not even when she started to shake.





thirty-one



ROBYN RAN HER hands across the burled walnut desk. A small Waterford crystal vase held fresh flowers, and an assortment of pens filled a mug Harlow had made the year after she’d beaten cancer. At some point, Robyn would have to start going through the desk, but not today. Dealing with Lillian’s death was hard enough without having to touch her things, knowing she was gone.

“I wish...” she murmured, then paused, not sure what she would wish for. More time with her aunt, of course, but that was her being selfish, although a case could be made that wishes were inherently selfish.

“I miss you.”

An obvious statement, but one that needed to be said. She missed Lillian’s laugh, her caring, her wise advice. Right now Robyn needed to talk to someone she trusted who would help her figure out what to do next, or rather how.

All her plans had shattered, along with her heart, when Lillian passed away. Now she had only one very short year to get in experts, start sorting, decide on a location for her antique store, and learn how to run a business. She’d lost the gift of time. Even more upsetting, she had to do it all without Lillian.

But the larger complication was somewhere in the house, a strong, steady presence who made her happier than she had ever been while also making her more unsure. What about Mason?

She liked him. She enjoyed his company and having him in her bed. He was a good man, an honorable former soldier who believed in duty and service. There was no bad there—at least on his part. But...

But what if she lost herself in him the way she’d lost herself in Cord? What if their relationship was nothing but circumstances, and when they returned to the real world, it all faded away? What if he started expecting things of her—changes, really—that she couldn’t do or didn’t want to make happen? Suddenly there seemed far more risk than reward, and that scared her.

Her phone buzzed. She glanced down and saw a single word.

Marco.

She texted back a quick, In Lillian’s office, then tucked her phone into her pocket. Harlow probably wanted to talk about the reading of the will. While Lillian had been clear about her plans, tomorrow it would be official.

She heard quick footsteps in the hall, then Harlow hurried into the room. She looked pale and shaken. Robyn instinctively moved toward her.

“What happened?”

Harlow’s voice trembled. “I broke up with Kip, and I thought he was going to hit me. He didn’t, but I was scared, and it makes me think I never knew him at all. How could I have made such a huge mistake?”

Robyn guided her to the sofa and sat beside her. Anger burned, but she ignored it. Getting pissed wouldn’t help her daughter.

“Start at the beginning.”

Harlow explained how she’d woken up that morning and realized she couldn’t marry Kip and that when she’d told him, he hadn’t taken it well.

“He was so angry,” she whispered, her body shaking. “He looked like he wanted to hit me.”

“Where is he now?” Robyn asked, rubbing her daughter’s back.

“I don’t know. Somewhere in the house, I guess.”

“He needs to leave.”

Harlow nodded. “He does. I’m not sure I can tell him, though. Will you come with me?”