“That’s one word for my mum. Let’s see what words you have for her after tonight, like nosy, pushy, chatty, just to name a few.” I put my arm around her waist and pull her to me.

“You are lucky to have her.” And Harper’s words hit a little more seriously than I would have liked.

Laying her head on my chest, we just stand in silence for a minute.

“BBQ ribs,” she says with a little emotion.

“What?” I ask.

“BBQ ribs were his favorite food. I haven’t eaten them since he left.” And I can’t help but feel proud of her for taking that first step out of the shadow she has been living in.

“Thank you,” I say, letting her know how much I appreciate her trying so hard to open up a little. “Maybe one day down the track, we can find an American ribs place and can enjoy some together. When you are ready, there is no rush.” I kiss her forehead as she looks up at me.

“I think I might like that,” she expresses with the slightest bit of hope in her voice. Something I’ve never heard when she talks about her father.

We may just be getting somewhere.

“Now let’s get ready to go the grocery shop, after I message Flynn and tell him not to worry about dessert.” And that sentence is enough to snap her from her thoughts.

“Yay! What are you cooking? It better be good. We need to show that little shit of a brother of yours that he’s not the only chef. Oh, can I cook too? Or at least try to. I need to message my mother and get her recipe for pumpkin pie. It’s to die for.” She is out of my arms and picking up her phone, messaging at speed. “I’ve never cooked it before, but how hard can it be, right?” The way her face has lit up makes me happy.

“Famous last words,” I declare as start I messaging Flynn.

* * *

Harper is standing in the middle of the living room where I’m sitting on the couch, watching the football game while she was showering.

“Seriously, how does my mother make baking look so easy? I just spent twenty minutes trying to get the flour out of my hair and the pastry from under my fingernails. And you, Mr. Master Chef, whipping up a lemon meringue pie and a chocolate mousse in less time than it took for me to cook one dessert. I’m just not meant to be a baker obviously. My talents must be in other…”