Eleanor’s praise hung in the air. No one questioned it—nods and faint smiles said all that needed saying.
The challenge, though, was another matter. It hadn’t gone unnoticed. It drew quieter reactions—nothing overt, just a faint shift of attention, a shared awareness among those who already knew how things stood… and how stubbornly certain people continued to pretend otherwise.
On the screen, the usual spark of sarcastic defiance in Harper’s eyes flickered and died, replaced by a rare, stunned stillness. A soft, flustered heat climbed her neck.
“Ah—wow. Thank you, Grandma Eleanor,” Harper said, forcing a bright smile that came out just a little crooked.
She laughed once—too quick, too loud. “I—uh—I’ll definitely keep that in mind.”
Then, with a shrug that tried—and failed—to look casu
