Red Lily

be nice if everything balanced in theworld? If right came out on top and wrong was punished. It sure would be simple.”
    Hayley’s lips curved. “Then Justin Terrell, who cheated on me in tenth grade, would be fat and bald and asking people if they want fries with that instead of being part owner of a successful sport’s bar and bearing a strong resemblance to Toby McGuire.”
    “Isn’t that just the way?”
    “Then again, maybe I’d go to hell for not telling Lily’s biological father about her.”
    “Your motives were pure.”
    “Mostly. I guess doing what’s best isn’t always doing what’s right. It was best for that baby to be raised here, at Harper House.”
    “Not the same thing, Hayley. No one’s motives were pure, or even mostly, in that case. Lies and deceit, cold cruelty, and selfishness. I shudder to think what might have become of that child had it been a girl. You feeling better now?”
    “Lots.”
    “Why don’t I go down, fix you something to eat? I’ll bring you food on a tray.”
    “I’ll go down. I know Mitch wants to record all this. I know Harper’s probably told him by now, but it’s better if I give it to him firsthand. And I think I’ll feel better yet when I do.”
    “If you’re sure.”
    She nodded as she pushed herself up on the bed. “Thanks for sitting with me. It felt good knowing you were here while I slept.”
    She glanced in the mirror, winced. “I’m going to put on some makeup first. I may be possessed by a ghost, but I don’t have to look like one.”

    “That’s my girl. I’ll go let Stella know you’re up and around.”
    H AYLEY FIGURED SHE owed Roz another one when she realized everything had been arranged so that just she and Mitch would sit in the library to document the experience.
    It was easier, somehow, to talk only to him. He was so smart and scholarly, in a studly kind of way. Sort of Harrison Fordish, in hornrims she decided.
    With the leading edge of the fatigue and the shock dulled by a little sleep and a lot of TLC, she felt steadier, and more in control.
    In any case, she loved this room. All the books, all those stories, all those words. Gardens outside the windows, big cozy chairs inside.
    When she’d first come to Harper House she’d sometimes tiptoe down at night, just to sit in this room—her favorite of all of them—and marvel.
    And she liked the way Mitch approached the whole Amelia project. With his work boards, his computer, his files and notes, he made it all rational, doable, grounded.
    She studied the board now, with its long lists and columns that comprised Harper’s family tree.
    “Do you think, after all this is over, you could do a family tree for me?”
    “Hmm?”
    “Sorry.” She glanced back at him, waved a hand. “Mind’s wandering.”
    “It’s okay, you’ve got a lot on it.” He put down his notebook, focused his attention on her. “Sure I can do that. You give me the basics you know—father’s full name, date and place of birth, your mother’s, and we’re off and running.”

    “I’d really like that. It’d be interesting. Harper and I cross a couple generations back, sort of over to the side. Is he awful mad at me?”
    “No, honey. Why would he be?”
    “He was upset. He wanted to scoop me and Lily right up and haul us to Stella’s. I wouldn’t go. I can’t.”
    Mitch doodled on a pad. “If I could’ve gotten Roz out of this house a few months ago, I’d have done it—even if it had taken dynamite.”
    “Did you fight about it?”
    “Not really.” Amusement danced in his eyes. “But then I’m older, wiser, and more in tune with the limitations a man faces when dealing with a stubborn woman.”
    “Am I wrong?”
    “That’s not for me to say.”
    “It is if I’m asking you.”
    “Rock and hard place, kid. That’s where you’ve shoved me.” He pushed back, took off his glasses. “I understand exactly how Harper feels and why, and he’s not wrong. I respect how you feel and why, and you’re not wrong either. How’s that?”
    She managed a wry smile. “Smart—and no help at all.”
    “Just another benefit of that older and wiser phase of life. But I’m going to add one thing as a potentially over-protective male. I don’t think you should spend a lot of time alone.”
    “Good thing I like people.” When his cell phone rang, she rose. “I’ll go on, let you get that.”
    Because she’d seen Harper outside, she went out the side door. She hoped Stella