Page 67 of Perfect Harmony

“Okay,” Addison said. “I love you, Harper.”

“I love you too, Addie.”

Chapter Thirteen

“Poor Addie.” Kiramerged onto the freeway and headed back toward Harmony Falls. “Gracie, I feelso bad for her. I don’t even know what to say or do for her. I can’t believe Harrisontried to tell her he cheated because she was bad in bed. What a shithead.”

“I know,” Grace said. “But it’s good thatshe’s going to Harper’s for a while. Harper will take care of her and say allthe right things.”

Kira smiled a little. “Want to bet metwenty bucks that Harper has a voodoo doll of Harrison ready and waiting for whenAddison gets there?”

“Easy money for you,” Grace said.

Kira laughed. “God, I miss Harper. Is itselfish of me to wish she’d move back home?”

“Nope. I wish she would too. But she’sliving her dream, right?”

“Yeah. Thanks for driving with me to take Addisonto the airport,” Kira said. “I know you have better things to do on your day off.”

“It’s not a problem at all,” Gracie said. “It’sa long drive to New Cassel.”

“It is, but also… it’s still kind of toughto make this drive. Even now,” Kira said.

“I know, honey.” Gracie reached across andsqueezed Kira’s leg. It was Kira who’d driven her parents to the airport.Kira who’d been the last one to see them before they died in a plane crash. “Youokay?”

“I am,” Kira said. “My therapist says it’sgood to do these kinds of things. Even if they’re hard. It’s why I mademyself get on the plane with you and Addie last year to visit Harper for herbirthday.”

“You did really well,” Grace said.

“Yeah, with the help of some Xanax and alot of leaning on you and Addie. Gideon still hasn’t flown in a plane.”

Grace’s pulse fluttered just hearing hisname. “He hasn’t?”

“Nope. He tried two years ago. There wasthis cop convention thing in Maine, and he signed up for the convention and bookedhis flight and everything. He even made it as far as the airport.”

“What happened?”

“He had a panic attack and couldn’t do it. ThankGod, Preacher was with us. I started kind of panicking because Gideon was panicking– he’s usually so calm and in control – and I was basically useless. Preacher hauledhim out of the airport and calmed him down. But we had to cancel his flight.He just couldn’t do it.”

Tears pricked at Grace’s eyes. Gideonbeing afraid tore at her heart, and she knuckled away the tears that escaped downher cheeks.

“You okay?” Kira glanced at her.

“Yeah. Just feel bad for him.”

“I do too,” Kira said. “But any time I tryto tactfully suggest that maybe he should get some therapy, he tells me that Ishouldn’t worry about him, and I should concentrate on being healthy myself. I’vetold him repeatedly that I’m doing much better, but you know how he is. I don’tthink he’ll ever truly believe me. You should talk to him about it. I knowyou’ve been bickering a lot the last few months, but I still think it’s worth ashot. He listens to you better than he listens to me. He always has.”

“I don’t think it’s my place,” Grace said.

“Oh please, you’re family. Gideon has to listento you… it’s family rules.”

Kira’s phone dinged and she said, “Hey, checkwhat that is, would you?”

Grace scooped Kira’s phone from the cupholder. “It’s from Rose. She said she moved your showing from one to threetoday and that you’re a go for the two showings on the weekend.”

“Perfect!” Kira said. “One thing I love aboutbeing a real estate agent is the flexible hours.”

“Work is going well for you,” Grace said.

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