“He didn’t put up much of a fight when I told him to leave yesterday.” Kip had folded in less than five seconds.
“He might be more emboldened at home.” She shrugged. “I’ll deal. What about you and Mom?”
“What are you asking?”
“Are you in love with her?”
“I appreciate the direct question.”
She watched him without speaking.
Mason figured she was expecting an actual answer. “Yes,” he said bluntly. “I haven’t told her.”
Harlow relaxed. “I won’t say anything. That’s between the two of you. I just wanted to make sure you weren’t using her for sex.”
“I’m not.”
She turned away, then looked back at him. “You might have to fight for her, because of my dad and maybe Jase. I’m not sure she’s going to trust so easily. I mean herself. I don’t think she’s worried about you.”
“Giving me advice?”
She smiled. “Someone has to. Besides, I think it would be nice to have you in the family.”
“I’d like that, too.”
But it was a big ask, and Mason honest to God wasn’t sure his luck was that good. Not when it came to a woman like Robyn.
* * *
Robyn changed into jeans and a blouse. She tried to focus on the basics, like fastening the buttons, then slipping on shoes, rather than admit her head was about to explode.
Lillian had left her a million dollars. She’d always known her great-aunt and uncle were well-off, but she’d had no idea they were rich. Although she supposed the house should have been a tip-off.
A million dollars. She’d expected to be left the cats and the contents of the house, but not anything else.
She sank onto the bench at the foot of her bed. The money offered her the financial security she’d recently realized she didn’t have. It would give her start-up cash to open her own business selling antiques. It would cover the initial lease payments and remodeling of the retail space if needed.
Once her business was up and running, she would pay back whatever she’d used so the million dollars was made whole again. If she was smart with her store, she would never have to touch it and could leave it to her children. She should make enough to support herself, hire a couple of employees, and help pay for Austin’s college and Harlow’s wedding when she found the right guy.
Lillian had blessed her with the gift of peace of mind, and it was too much to absorb.
There was a knock at the door, followed by Harlow asking if she could come in.
Robyn opened the door. “Hey, how are you holding up?”
Her daughter smiled at her. “I want to ask you the same question. You all right?”
“No, but I’ll get there. I’m having a little trouble grasping what just happened.”
“You’re going to need the money to pay for cat food.”
Robyn laughed. “Possibly. Are you still leaving tomorrow?”
“I am. I have a lot to do before I move to Key West, and I don’t want to leave Kip alone with my things for too long.”
Robyn nodded. “I get that. We both have a lot going on, but what we need right now is a distraction. Let’s go to the store for taco and margarita fixings.”
Harlow laughed. “I’d love that. I’ll change my clothes, then meet you in the kitchen.”
Robyn collected her purse and went downstairs. She didn’t see Mason and had the brief thought that she should go find him, then decided not to. She needed a little time to figure out how she was feeling. She needed to process her grief. And maybe, just maybe, she was a little scared.
Lillian’s death had accelerated all her plans. She had to move here to start on the inventory. Yes, Lillian had asked her to settle in Santa Barbara permanently, but Robyn hadn’t decided yet whether she was ready to make the move. Now she saw no other choice.
What did that mean for her and Mason? Were they a couple? Was what they had real or a summer fling? She didn’t know where he was mentally. Given the uncertainty, her instinct was to run and hide. Not exactly her proudest moment.
Before she could reach a conclusion, her daughter came down the stairs.
“We should check if we have tequila before we go,” Harlow said. “The good stuff.”
“Now you’re a tequila snob?” Robyn asked with a grin.
“Absolutely. Once I get home and start on my new job, I won’t be able to afford the good stuff, so I have to take advantage of you while I can.”
“An excellent point. Let’s look in the liquor cabinet. Given Lillian’s love of a cocktail, I’ll bet you’ll have your pick from all kinds of tequila.”
“She always did know how to throw a party.”
Robyn blinked away tears. “She did, and we’re lucky to have had her in our lives.”
thirty-two
BY SIX THAT EVENING, the ingredients for tacos had been prepped, and Robyn had made her guacamole. Harlow was putting ice into the blender while Austin and Mason argued over what kind of music to play. Austin wanted mariachi while Mason was a firm no on that suggestion.
Robyn listened to the friendly banter and felt herself relax a little. This was normal, she thought with relief. For a couple of hours, the four of them could pretend nothing had changed and that they would all be perfectly fine.
She told herself not to think about the fact that Lillian wouldn’t be coming down the stairs or that Harlow was leaving in the morning, literally heading to the other side of the country, to start over in a new city. Harlow was stronger than either of them had realized. The summer had changed her, allowing her daughter to grow into the beautiful, capable woman she was always meant to be. There had been bumps along the road, but Harlow had figured it out. Robyn couldn’t be more proud. As for her youngest, Austin was—
“Hello, Robyn.”
Robyn looked up and saw Jase standing in the kitchen. The avocado she was holding dropped to the counter.
She blinked, but Jase remained right there, looking both sheepish and determined—an unlikely combination, but somehow he pulled it off.
“The back door was open,” Jase continued, moving toward her. “I could hear everyone laughing and talking. I knocked, but I guess with all the noise…” He dropped the overnight bag he carried and crossed to her.
“I’ve missed you, Robyn. More than you know.”
Before she could figure out what was happening, he grabbed her by her upper arms and kissed her. On the mouth. Like really kissed her. He tried for a little tongue action, but by then she’d restarted her brain and pulled back.
“Jase? What are you doing here?”
“I couldn’t wait any longer.” His voice was low and intense. “I can’t let you go.”
He glanced around, as if just now realizing they weren’t alone. She assumed he would ask her to step outside, but apparently not, she thought, stunned when he kept talking.
“You’re on my mind all the time,” he continued. “I was such a fool. You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever known.”
Then, right there, in front of God and everyone, he dropped to one knee. “Robyn Caldwell, you’re smart and funny and caring, and I’ve been an idiot. Please give me a chance to make it right. Please let me spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you and how I want you to be happy. Robyn, will you marry me?”