Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Grayson
The last few days had been insane. I was practically running on fumes after a rush of delivery orders at the hardware store, more part-time staff calling out sick, and, of course, all the minute issues that never failed to pop up when it came to town festivals.
Especially because I was the guy everyone called when they needed something.
But through all the chaos, one thing kept playing on repeat in my head.
The kiss.
The way Harper’s lips felt on mine—familiar, yet so different, after all the years that had passed between us.
The way that every single buried feeling I thought I’d left behind me had rushed back and slammed into my heart with that one single kiss had thrown me. Hard.
I’d never stopped thinking about Harper.
Not really. I’d just learned how to live with the ache instead.
Even when years had passed and my brothers forced me on occasion to try dating, and I’d taken a woman out—or even back to my bed—the memory of Harper was always there.
I’d assumed it would fade in time.
It hadn’t. Not really.
And now she was back.
The plaza was packed, glowing under the dozens of strands of lights that I’d personally strung. I had to admit, it looked good. It always did. The main reason I agreed years ago to help out with this particular festival was because I had a soft spot for Christmas lights.
And the girl whose eyes used to light up every time we walked hand in hand under them.
I spotted that girl—now a woman—through the crowd.
It took me a few minutes to make my way to her. I dodged excited children darting between the fire pits, with candy canes and mugs of hot chocolate in their hands.
I circled the smores station, and joined Harper on the other side of the fire pit, where she was standing with Charli and Symon Scott as if she hadn’t been gone for over a decade. Something loosened in me seeing her there, part of everything again, talking with our old friends.
I walked toward her, swallowing down the feelings that had only been growing since the last time I’d seen her.
“There you are,” Charli said as I reached them. She gave me a quick hug, and I kissed her on the cheek before saying hi to Symon and booping their little girl, Poppy, on the nose. “We were just talking about you.”
“Were you?” I directed the question to Harper as I slipped my arm around her and pulled her close.
She offered up a little shrug, but it was Symon who spoke up.
“We were just saying how it’s just like old times,” he said. “The four of us hanging out.”
“Only we weren’t dating back then.” Charli nudged him in the ribs, and he laughed.
“True. But sometimes the best things are worth waiting for, right, Gray?”
“You’re not wrong, man.”
But he was wrong about it being just like high school. Not when I’d never been more aware of Harper as a woman, instead of the girl I used to sneak under the bleachers with. And when we were eighteen, it felt like we had our whole lives ahead of us. Lives that included each other. And now…
I shook the negative feelings away and squeezed Harper a little closer to me, eager to take advantage of the situation as long as I could. “Are you guys enjoying the festival this year? The tree lighting will be—”
“There you are!” Tilley Beckett appeared out of nowhere, her red scarf trailing behind her and clipboard in hand. She zeroed in on Harper. “We’re short-handed at the cookie decorating station, and I can’t think of anyone better to take over.”
“I’m not really a baker, Tilley.”
“Why does that matter?” Tilley waved her mittened hand. “The cookies are already baked. You only need to manage a little icing and some sprinkles. Besides, who better to teach the kids some skills than our very own world-class chef?”
Harper shot me a look over her shoulder as she was led away, her eyes a mix of amusement and panic.
I couldn’t help it; I laughed. “I’ll come find you for the tree lighting,” I told her, even as the disappointment settled in my chest. Tilley Beckett always did have a way of interrupting at the most inopportune time.
Harper
The cookie decorating station was total madness, in the best possible way. The table was covered in paper, with bowls of sprinkles scattered everywhere. Kids were squishing bags of icing all over the place. A few even managed to get some of the icing on the cookies.
Craig Carlson stood next to me, holding a cookie that was so overloaded with gumdrops that it was in danger of breaking in half. His daughter, Meri, grinned up at him as she dumped a handful of green sprinkles on top.
“I don’t think it can handle much more, kiddo.”
“Yes, it can, Daddy.” She gave her father a look and poured more sprinkles on top, making me laugh.
“She’s just like you,” I told my old friend. Charli and I had been close in school, but her little brother Craig had always been around, too.
“Because she’s so charming?” He laughed.
“Obviously.” I grinned. “But I remember you at that age. You had such a sweet tooth.”
“Still do,” Craig said. “That’s why I opened the Sugar Shack. Now I get to be surrounded by ice cream and candy all day long.”
“That’s right. Congratulations on that.” Grandma had kept me updated with the happenings of Trickle Creek. “It’s perfect for you. And congratulations on your marriage and new baby, too.”
He beamed. “Thanks, Harper. It’s been pretty incredible. Life in Trickle Creek is pretty amazing.”
I nodded, but the smile on my face dipped a little.
I couldn’t deny that all my old friends from school did seem to be living their best lives in the town I couldn’t wait to escape. But I had dreams that were too big for Trickle Creek.
At least they used to be.
Before I could say anything more, a familiar voice floated through the air toward us.
“There’s my girl.”
I turned to see Grandma making her way through the crowd, bundled in her thick winter coat and a wool hat she’d knitted herself pulled low over her ears. She looked good. Rosy cheeks, bright eyes, and a wide smile.
“Grandma.” I reached for her hand as she reached me. “I’m so glad you’re feeling well enough to come out tonight.”
“Are you kidding? I would never miss this. It’s my favorite night of the year.” She squeezed my fingers. “Isn’t it beautiful, all lit up like this? You always loved this night when you were a girl.”
“Hi, Willa.” Craig leaned over and kissed Grandma on the cheek. “It’s always nice to see you.”
“And you,” she said before leaning down to boop the pom-pom on the top of Meri’s toque. “And you, too, of course, Meri.”
Meri looked up with an icing-covered face, and we all laughed before Craig rushed her off to clean her up.
“Are you having fun, sweetheart?”
I nodded and answered honestly, “I really am. I forgot how these town events bring everyone together. It’s lovely.”
“Just one of the many benefits of small-town life,” Grandma said.
Thankfully, she couldn’t start into a dissertation on how much I’d enjoy living in Trickle Creek again, because we were once again interrupted.
“Excuse me,” the young voice said. “Can I decorate a cookie?”
I turned to look into a set of blue eyes in a young girl who looked remarkably familiar. “Of course. Have we met yet?”
“I don’t think so.” The girl thrust her hand out. “My name’s Quinn.”
“Ethan’s daughter.” Of course. She had the Lyons eyes. I saw the family resemblance immediately. “It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Harper. I used to—”
“I know who you are,” she said matter-of-factly. “You make the best lasagna.”
“Thank you.” I laughed. “It’s nice to meet another Lyons. You know, I used to know your dad when we were kids.”
“And my uncle, too? Right?” Her eyes glinted with mischief. There was no doubt this girl knew exactly who I was. But before I could answer, she continued. “Uncle Gray is the best,” she said. “Did you know he—”
“Quinn.”
The voice was low, steady, and unmistakable.
I turned and there he was.
Grayson.
Tall and broad-shouldered, his dark hair was dusted with snowflakes in the glow of the Christmas lights that made him look like he’d stepped straight out of a Hallmark movie. A shadow of whiskers framed his jaw, rougher than the clean-cut boy I used to know.
My breath caught. I still wasn’t used to the new version of him. So familiar, and yet, so different.
“We were just talking about you, Uncle Gray.” Quinn smirked, unbothered by his warning tone.
“I noticed.” Grayson gave her a look that was equal parts fond and exasperated before turning to Grandma. “It’s so nice to see you out and about, Willa.” He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “How are you feeling?”
She swatted his concern away. “Even better now. The only thing I love more than the light-up festival is seeing my girl here so happy.”
Without missing a beat, Grayson wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close. “I would have to agree with you on that one.” He pressed his lips to my cheek as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“Eww.” Quinn threw up her arms. “It’s bad enough Dad and Delaney are always kissing. Now, you, too?”
Everyone else laughed.
“It’s almost time for the tree lighting,” Grayson said to me. “I thought you might want to see it.”
“You know I do.” Automatically, I turned to Grandma, who waved me away.
“Go. I have a front row seat saved for me,” she said. “Quinn, would you mind helping an old lady through the crowd?”
“Nope.” The girl stuffed a cookie in her mouth and held out her arm for Grandma before the two of them disappeared into the crowd.
Grayson, his arm still around my waist, turned to face me. “Ready?”
I nodded.
“Come on.” His hand slipped into mine, and he led me away from the cookie table. “I know a spot.”
Grayson
I didn’t let go of her hand as I guided Harper through the crowd, weaving past kids with glow sticks and couples clutching cups of cider and hot chocolate. My pulse pounded harder than it should have, considering all I was doing was walking across the plaza.