Free A Forever Kind of Family by Brenda Harlen Page A

reminded him in what she thought was a very reasonable tone. “Which is why I’m trying to discuss this with you.”
    He set his jaw, an obvious sign that he was determined to be un reasonable. “No discussion necessary. We’re not moving.”
    She sighed. “I just thought we should talk about the possibility.”
    “We just did,” he said.

Chapter Six
    H arper knew Ryan was right.
    She also realized that she should have waited to introduce a discussion about the house until after they’d made a decision about day care for Oliver, because Ryan’s refusal to move ahead on that issue was a clear indication of his unwillingness to upset the new status quo.
    And it probably was too soon to be thinking about making any other major changes in Oliver’s life, and moving was undoubtedly a major change. She didn’t even mind admitting that Ryan was right in this instance—or she wouldn’t have if he didn’t act so authoritative and self-righteous.
    Even so, she should have contacted Simon and told him not to come. But because she was mad at Ryan—or maybe just mad that he was right—she went through the motions with the real estate agent anyway.
    Having sold the house to Melissa and Darren, Simon was familiar with the property and only wanted to do a quick walk-through. They finished up in the kitchen, where she offered him a cup of the coffee she’d made before he arrived. He accepted and they sat side by side at the island, drinking coffee and going over the sales reports on similar neighborhood properties that he’d generated for her.
    “Thanks for this,” she said, tapping a finger on top of the reports. “But I don’t think we’re ready to put the house on the market just yet.”
    “It’s too soon,” Simon guessed.
    She nodded.
    “I thought it probably was,” he said. “But I didn’t want you to miss out on the opportunity to list while the market was hot, as it is right now.”
    “We’ll let you know if we change our minds,” she assured him, grateful for his understanding.
    “I’d appreciate it,” he said, zipping up his portfolio. “So now that our business is concluded, how are you holding up?”
    “Me?”
    He smiled. “Yes, you.”
    “Oh, I’m doing okay.” She sipped her coffee. “At least, I pretend that I am.”
    “You’ve been busy,” he noted, and she knew he was referring to the pile of boxes in the master bedroom, designated for donation to Goodwill.
    “It’s hard to sit around surrounded by the memories. I find it helps to keep busy. Or if it doesn’t help, it gives me a sense of accomplishment.”
    “You need a break,” Simon told her.
    “Maybe,” she acknowledged, although she couldn’t see one anywhere on the horizon.
    “Why don’t you let me take you out tonight?”
    “Oh...um...” Through their tour of the house and conversation, she’d found him sincere and easy to talk to—but she honestly hadn’t perceived any signs of personal interest and wasn’t sure how to reply now.
    “We’ll go somewhere with soft lighting and quiet music,” he suggested. “Share some food and wine and get to know one another better.”
    “That’s...tempting,” she told him.
    He smiled. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”
    She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I appreciate the invitation, but I can’t.”
    “Can’t tonight or can’t at all?”
    “At all,” she admitted. “Not right now, anyway.”
    He nodded and dropped a business card on top of the paperwork. “Call me if you change your mind.”
    “About selling, you mean?”
    He smiled again and held her gaze. “About anything.”
    * * *
    Ryan waited until she’d closed the door behind the real estate agent before he stepped into the kitchen to refill his own mug of coffee.
    “You could have said yes,” he told her. And then, in case she thought he meant about selling, he clarified, “About dinner, I mean.”
    She shook her head.
    “Not your type?”
    “I don’t have a type. I also don’t have a lot of