Chapters (37)
“I’m sure he’ll be happy about that.”
Tobias tried to enjoy himself as they finished eating, but he knew the next twenty-four hours weren’t going to be easy. He figured he’d get up early and go on another hike—to prepare his mind and body for the difficulty of the rest of the day. Then he’d make his mother some breakfast before taking her over to Maddox’s. After she was entertained there for a few hours, he’d drive her home and Christmas would be over, his duties as a son complete.
He could do that, he decided. There was no reason not to spend his Christmas that way. Chances were slim he’d get to see Harper, anyway. She’d told him to let her deal with her family until Axel left.
So he was surprised when, almost as soon as he returned to Silver Springs with his mother, he received a text from her.
Axel just took my Range Rover to the motel so he’ll be able to drive over early in the morning before the kids get up to see what Santa’s brought them. But my sister said I could use her car to come by and wish you a merry Christmas. I won’t be able to stay long—only a few minutes—but I was hoping to see you. Are you home? Would that be okay?
26
Axel saw the taillights of Karoline’s Jaguar go on as soon as the garage door rolled up and knew who was behind the wheel without having to see the driver. Where would Karoline be going at eleven o’clock at night, after all? Especially on Christmas Eve, when everything was closed?
Harper was heading to Tobias Richardson’s house, just as he’d suspected she would when she’d been so eager to say goodbye to him the moment they’d finished setting up Santa’s presents for their girls.
“Damn it.” The sight sickened him. Was she really that eager to rush into another man’s arms? He’d never dreamed he’d be in this position, but he’d let the success of his music go to his head—and that might’ve cost him the best thing that ever happened to him. As many women as he’d been with in the past year, he’d met no one quite as sweet or devoted as Harper. He was beginning to realize that people like her weren’t around every corner.