Stay- Book One The Full Circle

A Tea Party Princess

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Chapter 18

Tea party princess

Maggie

She's a sweet little girl. I can see why Trent is so taken with her. We finished our breakfast and Zoe helped me straighten up the kitchen and bedrooms while my cell phone continued an onslaught of calls. One after another. I knew it was my mother, annoyed, frustrated then angry with me all because I wasn't complying to her demands. There's several voicemails in my inbox waiting for me but I refuse to listen to any of them. I can hear her voice without them, I know I'm in trouble. When she does find me I'll have hell to pay for disobeying her. I always seem to be on her bad side.

In hopes of blocking my incessant ringing phone from my thoughts, and the pinging of my voicemail box, we put on a movie of Zoe's choice, snuggle up on the couch with a bag of popcorn and watch The Princess and the Frog. With happy music, fun characters and a story that draws us in, the annoyance of my mother disappears and I relax again with this sweet girl by my side. It's clear she doesn't get to watch movies with someone or enjoy companionship very often. She comments on the songs, the dresses and tells me her favorite character is the lightning bug. I would have to agree.

By noon we still hadn't seen or heard from Trent. There's a knock on the door stopping our latest movie, before I can get there,  a handsome young man's head is poking into the slightly opened door. "Are you ladies presentable?"

"Yes, come in." I stand in front of Zoe. I know Trent is wanting to keep her safe from Adrienne and I've only seen this guy a couple times at the bar. I feel like I should know him.

"Hey Maggie. I don't know if you remember me, I'm Trent's brother, Harper. He wanted me to tell you he's running later than he expected. Everything is okay, but he'll be back soon. I guess he tried your phone but the mailbox is full." I should have recognized him, I can see the resemblance now, it's his eyes. Figures, the one time I ignore it I get a call I need. "In the meantime, I'm here to get a lunch order from you." Harper looks down at Zoe and winks at her. "So, princess, what would you like?"

"Can we have a princess lunch?" Zoe asks softly. Her big brown eyes plead up at both of us. "I only get to play princess at grandma's and I haven't been there in so long. Please?"

He comes closer to us and I see that same heart, the same compassion in his blue eyes that I've seen in Trent's. He's not quite as wide in the shoulders, but still narrow in the hips. A slim but obviously in shape man, that works out on a regular basis. He has that firm jaw, and soft eyes just like Trent does, but his features are softer, more innocent than Trent.  There's a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, like he knows something we don't. He probably does. It makes me wonder what all Trent has shared with him.

The resemblance between the two brothers is very clear. They have the same eyes, same dark hair but where Trent is wider through the chest, more muscular through the arms, Harper has a more long and rangy build. Both are handsome, but it's their personalities that differ them. Trent is the outgoing one where as Harper seems to be shyer, more reserved. It's funny that he works behind a bar with this kind of personality, I would think it would be harder to relate to clientele.

"Are you a princess?" Keeping his voice soft, Harper kneels down to her level. "I've never served a princess before. How about you tell me what a beautiful princess and her queen would like?" His eyes meet mine as I raise my eyebrows at him. He seems willing to play along with her.

"I want grilled cheese, fries and fruit. Can we have a punch?" She looks at me for approval.

"How about a fizzy lemonade?" Harper suggests getting an enthusiastic nod from his princess. "For you, Maggie?"