could she ever care about him the way he cared about her?
“Okay,” she said. “I’ll nose around tomorrow and see what I can find out, too.”
“You don’t have to do that. I can take care of it.”
“Lord knows what’ll come out of your mouth with those pain pills in your system. How about if you focus on icing your ankle and getting better?”
“Thanks, Pipe. I appreciate that. Would you be willing to try talking with her?”
“Me?” She shook her head. “I’m used to dealing with the guys at work. When one of them gets crabby, I have to snap them out of it fast or it causes everyone’s attitude to take a nosedive. I think Jolie probably needs someone with a softer touch.”
“Don’t sell yourself short.”
“I’m always short,” she said sassily. “I’ll ask my sisters for advice. I’m meeting Willow at the bakery tomorrow morning. But don’t worry—I’ll be back by seven to get the girls ready for school. I’ll ask Bridgette to meet us. She’s the sweetest person I’ve ever known, and she lost her first husband, Jerry, remember? She’ll know what to do for Jolie.”
He remembered all too well. Piper’s youngest sister had quit college and married a musician. She’d gotten pregnant right away, and then her husband was killed in a car accident right after their son, Louie, was born. The Daltons had rallied around them and helped Bridgette get back on her feet. She’d even opened a flower shop called the Secret Garden, next to their sister Willow’s bakery, Sweetie Pies. Now Louie was almost seven years old, Bridgette was remarried to Bodhi Booker, and last fall they’d welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Emerson.
“I wish Talia could meet us, but her mornings are too busy.” Talia, Piper’s oldest sister, was a professor at Beckwith University, a small private school in Harmony Pointe. She and her husband, Derek, had recently opened Our Friends’ House, an adult-daycare center. “She has a soft touch. She probably has good advice. I’ll call her if Bridge can’t help.”
“Piper, not every person needs a soft touch. You should consider talking to Jolie. She likes and trusts you,” Harley said, wishing Piper would give herself some credit. Sophie had loved working on her homework with Piper. She’d giggled more than she ever had while doing homework. And Jolie might be having a hard time, but when the girls came down to say good night before bed, Jolie had hugged him and she said she was glad Piper was there.
“Right now I’m considering all the things I should do before heading home,” Piper said as she pushed to her feet. “Like getting you upstairs to your bedroom.”
“Now we’re talkin’!” He clapped his hands.
Jiggs bolted upright, jumped off the couch, and scurried away.
“Forget it. You’re sleeping on the couch. How about something more comfortable to sleep in?”
He cocked a grin. “You’re walking right into these, Trig. I sleep in my birthday suit.”
Jiggs carried his leash into the living room and sat at Piper’s feet.
Piper sighed. “Jiggsy, you’re going to have to wait until I get your big daddy settled.”
“Big Daddy.” He paused just to see her roll her eyes. “I’m not into girls with daddy issues, but I’m sure we can figure out another name for you to call me.”
“Get over yourself before I smack your ankle. Do you want to sleep upstairs?”
“No. The couch is easier.”
“Perfect. Considering your nieces don’t need to see Uncle Harley’s Harley, how about a pair of basketball shorts to sleep in?”
“Okay, but I wasn’t thinking about my nieces.” He took her hand, pulling her down beside him, and said, “I was thinking about my sexy nurse.”
“I’m sure Felicity would appreciate that.” She pushed to her feet.
“The sexy blond nurse standing before me.”
“Yeah, okay. Whatever. I’m going to grab your toothbrush and find those basketball shorts.” She headed for the stairs.
“I know you love me,” he called after her.
“I’m going to rummage through your drawers!”
“Then get back here so you can reach them!” He chuckled as her footsteps faded. “We might have to milk this injury, Jiggs. I’m digging having Piper around.”
Jiggs cocked his head.
“You too, huh?”
Piper came downstairs a few minutes later with the blanket and pillow from Harley’s bed, his toothbrush, toothpaste, and a pair of shorts. She tossed the shorts to him and said, “Put those on.” She dropped the blanket and pillow on a chair and held up a sheet. “I found this in the linen closet. You’re incredibly organized for a guy. I’m going to