The Summer Getaway: A Novel(87)



“Sure,” she said, hoping she was. Her runs at home were closer to three or four miles, but she figured she could push herself. “What about you, Austin? Want us to leave you behind?”

“Very funny. I can keep up.”

They were quiet as they drove down the hill, then out to the water. Mason parked in a public lot, and they got out.

“We’ll go slow to warm up,” Mason told them. “Stretch at the end. I’ll keep a steady pace. Shout out if it’s too much for you. No point in getting hurt just to try to look good.”

“You’re taking charge?” Harlow asked.

Mason looked at her, amusement darkening his eyes. “Yeah, I’m taking charge.”

She grinned. “Just asking.”

“Good. Let’s go.”

He started for the path. Once there, he broke into a slow jog. After a couple of minutes, Harlow glanced at her brother.

“You hear from Dad?”

“No. You?”

“No. I talked to Enid this morning, and she pointed out I could get in touch with him. I’m not sure I’m ready to be that mature.” She didn’t mention Enid saying he claimed to miss her, knowing that might hurt Austin’s feelings.

“You should make up with him,” her brother said. “You’re going back to work with him. It’s what you’ve always wanted.”

“I did. Now I’m less sure.” She looked at Mason. “Did you hear what happened with my dad?”

“Some.”

She filled him in on the low points of finding out he hadn’t ever planned to buy the business.

“I’m not sure what to do with all that,” she admitted. “I feel played, which is yucky, but it’s more than that. I was so entitled. It’s not a comfortable feeling.”

“You didn’t like being entitled?” he asked as he increased his pace.

“Everyone likes being entitled,” Austin said. “Knowing the world will do your bidding is great. It’s finding out that you’re selfish and thoughtless that sucks.”

Harlow winced. “Is that how you see me?”

“No. That’s how you see yourself.”

She groaned. “It’s early. Don’t be insightful. I just wish I knew what to do with my life.”

“You’d never want a job with another company,” her brother told her. “You love the business.”

She did, but did that make it the right place for her? “I’ve never worked anywhere else. I wouldn’t know what that was like.”

“Maybe that’s the problem,” Mason said. “You lack perspective. And maybe a little courage. New things can be threatening. What do you want?”

“To not be stupid.” She glanced out at the water. The sun had barely cleared the mountains and was starting to shimmer on the water. “To be proud of what I do in a day. To offer something of value.”

“Those are all on you. Where you work doesn’t matter. If you want to be proud of yourself, then take pride in your job and how you do it. If you don’t want to be stupid, stop making boneheaded decisions.”

“You make it sound easy.”

He looked at her. “It is. Do the right thing or don’t. Live with the consequences.”

“You ever screw up?”

He surprised her by smiling. “All the damn time.”

“I’m going to San Diego,” Austin said. “To check out the university and poke around a little. I’ll let Mom know, then head out. Want to come?”

Harlow shook her head. “There’s a lot going on here, and Mom shouldn’t have to handle it all herself.”

Mason’s expression turned approving. “See, there you go, making the right decision.”

She smiled. “Why do I feel what you’re really thinking is something along the lines of what people say to their dogs? ‘Good girl, Harlow. Good sit.’”

Mason chuckled. He glanced at Austin. “Going to check out the ROTC office?”

“It’s on the list.”

“You’re really considering joining the navy?” Harlow asked. “For real?”

“Yeah. I think I’ll do well there. I can handle the discipline, and I’ve always enjoyed being on the water. I want to serve. It feels right.”

“It’s a way of life,” Mason told him. “And a lot more than a job.”

“That’s what I want.”

“When you talk to your mother, make sure she knows where you’re going and why,” Mason said firmly. “Clear?”

Austin looked at Harlow. “Do you believe this guy?”

“He’s not wrong. Tell Mom. She can handle it.”

She liked that Mason was looking out for her mom, and that he was honest. Right now telling the truth seemed to be in short supply.

“I’ll tell her I’m looking at UC San Diego,” Austin said. “But I’m not telling her about ROTC until I know that’s what I want. She’s got enough going on without me stressing her. If I do it, there will be time for her to deal.”

Harlow grinned at him. “Okay, little brother. You’ll have twenty-four hours after your return to cough it up. Otherwise, I’m going to let Mason rip you a new one.”

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