Harmony for Christmas (Dansboro Crossing #4)

Chapter 22

twenty-two

BEAU

I’m officially in over my head.

Cleaning out the loft was hard enough. Travis showed up to help, so it didn’t take as long as I thought it would.

We employed the hoarder’s method of using three piles. One to keep, like Travis’s baby blanket made by our grandmother who died not long after he was born. A different pile to throw away, as in my old football cleats. Nasty. And that last one for maybe, but we don’t know. In other words, our elementary school art projects.

The hardest part was figuring out where to store all the stuff left since the loft was about to be turned into living quarters for guests. A lot of the stuff is now stacked in the closet of Travis’s old room until I can find somewhere better for it. Preferably at his house one day.

Now there are people buzzing around my once tranquil world like it’s Dansboro Crossing’s newest attraction.

Peter sent over the plans two days after they saw the barn. There were a few tweaks here and there, but for the most part, they were perfect. Construction began the same week I approved them.

I guess it never occurred to me how many guys from town had pretty decent construction skills. Reed has been here since the beginning splitting his time between installing a few low-maintenance flowerbeds and Sheet rocking. He’s very chatty also. I might have been signed up for a softball team too without realizing it.

Travis and Trace showed up again having taken my “emergency only” credit card to the home store in Austin. I’m now the proud owner of a new duvet and sheet set. I drew the line on throw pillows for the bed however. Why would I want to constantly be removing pillows from the bed before I get in it at night?

I did relent and keep the ones they bought for the couch. I’m also the new owner of matching wine glasses. As if I’m suddenly going to develop a wine habit.

I’m contemplating the cheery welcome mat that showed up on my doorstep when I wasn’t paying attention when I hear footsteps behind me.

“Hey,” Reed says.

I turn around to find him and Rand standing at the bottom of the steps.

“We’re officially done. Ready for the unveiling.”

I roll my eyes, but they just laugh.

“Does that mean you want to forgo the blindfold?”

“You can try,” I growl. They both laugh again. I follow them across the yard to the barn. From the outside you can’t really tell much was done, except for the new windows on top.

“Drum roll, please.”

“Just open the door.”

Reed obliges, and damn! This is definitely not the same barn I started with.

“Holy shit,” I whisper, looking around.

“So, I take it you approve so far?” Rand says.

I ignore him as I step farther into the first room. It’s larger than I thought possible. There’s a recording booth, an area they can practice as a band, and even couches to lounge on.

Luke helped me with the design and recording equipment. I didn’t even have to threaten him not to tell Harmony. He understood immediately that I wanted all of this to be a surprise.

On the other side of the window is my studio. It’s filled with my art supplies, canvases, and even a place to work in other mediums. I’ve been debating trying my hand at sculpting, so I needed plenty of room. There’s also a couch and chairs in this room, but they’re covered so I don’t have to worry about charcoal or paint smudges.

“Stop gaping and come upstairs,” Geneva says from the stairway. I like her more and more. It’s probably the award-winning personality. It matches mine. I leave the studio space to climb the stairs behind her.

Bront?’s done an amazing job designing the space. They managed to carve three small bedrooms and two bathrooms out of the loft. It also has a small kitchenette and living area. Perfect for the band.

“Well?” Geneva asks when I return from looking around. Reed and Rand have joined her, all waiting for my approval.

“It’s fucking brilliant,” I answer. They have my approval in spades.

“I knew I liked you.”

“What’s not to like?” She raises an eyebrow at me. “I mean the place, not me.”

“Whatever you have to tell yourself.” She pulls a chair out and sits at the table. “Now to settle the bill.” I close my eyes as she sets the paperwork in front of me. When I open them again, Rand is sitting next to her. Reed seems to have disappeared. My eyes stare down at the final figure. Hold on.

“This is like half of what I thought it would be,” I say.

“This covers materials and outside labor. We’ve already explained the design costs were waved in lieu of advertising. Saying we designed the studio for Harmony Ellis is enough. Don’t think we won’t come knocking on your door, though, looking for an endorsement later.” She takes my check with a wink. It’s both a promise and a threat. If I didn’t know better, I’d say we were twins separated at birth.

I don’t rise from the table until I hear the last vehicle pull off down the road. Taking one last look around, I climb down the steps to the music room. Reacher is stretched out on the couch.

“That’s a bad habit she let you get away with,” I tease him. “Do you think she’ll like it?” I ask a little more seriously. He harrumphs at me in response. “I get there’s only one way to find out. How they got it done before she gets here tomorrow, I have no idea.” The dog rolls over on his back with his feet braced on the back of the couch.

“These are pretty comfy,” I admit, sliding down on the other couch. “Where do you think she is?” I punch in one of the few numbers in my speed dial.

“Hey, sexy. What’s up?” Somehow, just hearing her voice makes my anxiety lessen. I can’t wait until she fills the house with banter.

“Sitting here thinking about you.”

“You always know just what to say. I think you’re flirting skills have hit master level.”

“I have the best test subject.”

She laughs, and my heart does a flip. No one told me that being in love meant you stayed on this roller coaster of emotions all the time. Sometimes, I swear just the sound of her voice makes my skin tingle. And when we’re apart, my heart feels like it’s going to rip from my chest. I love the way she makes me feel inside regardless of what’s happening in our lives.

“Where are you?” I ask.

“I’m about to check into a hotel in Texarkana. Don’t worry, it’s got all the bells and whistles including security.” She’s already aware of how much I worry about her. I offered to fly up and drive her here, but she insisted she come alone. I think she wants time to decompress from the road. I can respect that. “I think I’m ordering room service, taking a long bath, and falling into bed.”

“Send me where you are so I don’t have to stress about it all night. Do you want me to order you something in?” Travis introduced me to the joys of restaurant delivery apps last time I was in Austin. They don’t do me much good here, but I’m willing to test it out for Harmony.

“No, room service will work. I’ve been snacking all the way here anyway, so I’m not very hungry. You know how road trips work.”

“I do. Okay, text me when you get in your room.”

“Yes, daddy.”

“Tomorrow night, you can call me that.” She giggles. “Get some rest. I can’t wait until you get here.”

“I love you, Beau Rayburn.”

“I love you, Harmony Ellis. Sleep well.” We say good night and end the call. Tomorrow. How am I going to survive until I have her in my arms tomorrow?

“How do you feel about a rousing game of Jenga?” Reacher just grunts in response. “You’re not a very social dog, you know that?”

With a sigh, I heave myself off the couch. I take a second to look around one last time, then whistling for the dog, head to the house. Tomorrow seems like forever.

I slept in fits last night tossing and turning until well after midnight. With any luck, caffeine will help. At least with the headache that’s sitting right behind my eyes. It would help more if Reacher wasn’t standing a foot away from where I’m leaning against the counter. He must know something is up because he’s barking at me.

“How about you go outside for a while?” How about we both go outside for a while. Taking the mug of black coffee, I lead the way to the front porch.

Reed decided I needed legitimate porch furniture. I try out the new all-weather loveseat with striped cushions. He might have been on to something. It’s not bad.

“Go,” I growl at the dog when he continues to stand on the porch. He’s looking down the road waiting. He knows what today is. “Go. Find something to terrify in the wild,” I try again.

Finally, with a backward glance, he prances down the steps. He sniffs along the road for a few minutes before heading for the barn.

I understand how he feels. We’re both ready to have Harmony back in our lives again. I’ve tried to explain to him that she plans to leave Texarkana at eight hoping to avoid rush hour in Dallas. Good luck with that, it’s always rush hour in Dallas. With that in mind, I suspect it will be around two or three before we see her.

That didn’t prevent me from getting up at the ass crack of dawn to pace the floor waiting for her. I check my watch for the twentieth time. It’s still too early to text or call.

She sounded exhausted last night, so it’s best I wait for her to contact me. Still, I can’t help but worry. I should have insisted on driving her. There’s a lot to learn about this boyfriend designation.

“How about we saddle up one of the horses and check water troughs?” I ask Reacher when he returns to flop at my feet. “It’ll be better than waiting around here slowly going out of my mind.” I return to the kitchen to wash out my mug with Reacher on my heels. My phone pings while I’m setting the mug in the drainer to dry.

Harmony: Decided to get an earlier start. I’m too ready to see you to waste any more time here.

Me: I agree. Reacher is all up in arms waiting for you.

Harmony: What about his owner?

Me: He might be a little too.

Harmony: Just a little?

Me: A lot.

Harmony: That’s better. See you soon.

Me: Be careful and let me know when you stop for lunch.

Harmony: Yes, Dad.

Me: Where’s the ass-spanking emoji?

She sends me a slew of dirty ones, and I laugh. I can’t imagine not having her in my life now. Everything before seems so black and white. Now, I see the world in all its vivid colors.

I pull on my boots by the mudroom door and step outside. It’s a perfect day for her to come home. I don’t have fields of bluebonnet because they’re actually poisonous to cattle, but I know they line the roads right now. Even the flowers welcome her home.

Reacher and I try our best to stay busy. Of course, there is not a thing wrong with any of the troughs. Ross has made sure of that. He’ll be leaving for college at the end of the summer. I’m not worried though. Turns out he has a younger brother who started showing up with him to help. He’s already expressed an interest in taking over when Ross leaves.

I make sure I’m around the house when Harmony stops for lunch. There’s no way I’m missing that call. We only have a couple more hours before she pulls through the gate. It seems like every minute on the clock now takes hours. Is this what it will feel like every time we’re apart? Reacher joins me as I stand on the front porch watching.

My eyes squint as I see a small wisp of dust in the distance. It’s enough to send my heart racing. I’ll never survive if that’s anyone but her. The dust trail grows a little larger until, finally, a candy-apple red SUV pulls up in front of the house.

Her smile is the first thing I see as she gazes through the front windshield at us. Finally, she’s come home.