Chapter 26
Harper
By the time I made it downstairs to the kitchen, Kevin was already hard at work.
“Do you ever rest?” I joined him at the stove to see what smelled so good. “You do know we’re closed today, right?”
My new head chef laughed and offered me a spoon to taste the delicious soup he was stirring. “I know, but I woke up with an idea for a roasted vegetable soup that I think will be perfect for a lunch special this week. It’s supposed to be a chilly one.”
I took the spoon and dipped it into the soup, blowing on it gently before putting it to my lips. My eyes squeezed shut as the flavors hit my tongue. “This is amazing, Kevin. We’re definitely making this a special.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“I love it.” I tossed the spoon into the sink and assessed the kitchen I’d grown up working in. It was hard to believe that I’d come full circle after so many years. It felt right.
“Last night was a huge success,” I said after a moment. “I don’t think Willa’s Whisk has ever pulled off a feast like that.”
“It was pretty incredible,” Kevin agreed. “Everyone I talked to afterward told me how much they enjoyed it and can’t wait for the next event.”
I wasn’t surprised; I’d received the same feedback. And even if I hadn’t, I experienced it. What we’d done in the restaurant had been fantastic. It felt good to be creative in the kitchen again.
“We’ll definitely have to start brainstorming about the next one.”
Kevin pointed his ladle in my direction. “So, you haven’t changed your mind? You’re staying?”
“Of course she’s staying.” Grandma burst through the doors to join us. Now that I knew she wasn’t sick at all, she looked even younger and healthier than ever. “And I can’t wait to see what she does with this place. Are you sure you’re up for the challenge of working for her, Kevin?”
“Am I up for it?” Kevin laughed. “I welcome it.”
“You’re probably sick of all my old fuddy-duddy recipes.” Grandma waved an arm in his direction.
“Not at all, Willa.” Kevin wrapped an arm around her shoulders and squeezed gently. “You know I love the classics. But this granddaughter of yours, she’s something special. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with.”
“She certainly is special.” Grandma smiled warmly at me. “And the first thing she’ll need to come up with is a name for the place.”
“Wait. What?” Her words caught me off guard. “What do you mean, a name? It’s Willa’s Whisk.”
“It was Willa’s Whisk,” she said simply. “But you can’t call the place Willa’s.” She shook her head and wrinkled her nose. “Not when it’s Harper’s.”
I glanced at Kevin as if he might hold the answers, but he simply shrugged before excusing himself from the kitchen.
“Grandma, what are you talking about? It’s Harper’s?”
“Exactly what it sounds like.” She pulled a legal envelope I hadn’t noticed before off the shelf and handed it to me. “I had the papers drawn up a few days ago. Right after you told me you were staying.”
With a shaking hand, I took the envelope, but didn’t open it. “Papers?”
Grandma gave me an exceedingly patient smile. “Ownership papers, Harper.” She nodded toward the envelope. “The restaurant officially and legally belongs to you. Make it your own.”
“But…what…” Finally, I slid the papers out of the envelope and saw the documents with my own eyes. But still, it was hard to register what they really meant.
“Grandma. This is too—”
“It was always meant to be yours, sweetheart. Willa’s Whisk gave me such a great life. A full life. But my time here is done.” She laughed and quickly held up a hand. “And no, I don’t mean my time time is done. My time in the restaurant business is done.”
I shook my head and couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Watching the way you followed your dreams has been inspiring, dear. And I think it’s time I did a bit more of that myself.”
I tilted my head. Grandma had never spoken of her dreams. Maybe it was naive or self-absorbed of me, but I’d never stopped to think about what more she might want out of life. “What does that mean?”
Her smile was radiant and untroubled. “It means I’m ready to do a bit more traveling of my own.
Visiting you over the years, I got to see all kinds of beautiful places, but I’m not done.
I think I’d like to take some cooking classes in Italy.
Learn to make pasta the old-fashioned way.
And eat all the gelato.” She winked. “And maybe drink some wine, too. After that, we’ll see.
But I plan on giving you some space to create your own dreams now. ”
My heart filled, and the emotion overwhelmed me, making words impossible. Tears slipped from my eyes, and I shook my head until she laughed again and pulled me into a tight hug.
“Oh, Harper.”
“It sounds amazing,” I said finally. “And I’m going to miss you, but I’m so happy for you.”
“And you, dear.” She pulled back, holding me at arm’s length. “I can’t wait to see what you do with the place. But one thing I know for sure is that this town is so lucky to have you back and all the delicious food they’re about to get from you.”
Her faith in me wrapped tighter than the hug she’d just given, and as I tucked the envelope against my chest, one thought echoed louder than the rest. This wasn’t just my home again. It was my future. The place I belonged, with the people I belonged with.
Grayson
The brewery buzzed with holiday energy. The après crowd was starting to file through the doors after a full day on the ski hill. Peaks & Brews had been a huge success from the moment Ethan had opened the doors.
Fortunately, Brody had already secured a corner table and was halfway through a pint when I slid into the chair across from him.
“You look like a happy man, brother.” Brody raised his glass. “Congratulations.”
I froze, and it took me a minute to realize he was talking about fixing things with Harper, and not the hardware store. Of course, I couldn’t wait to tell all my brothers that news, but only after the love of my life heard it first.
“I am, Brody. I am.”
“It’s good to see, Gray. Really.” Brody poured me a pint from the jug sitting in front of him. “Is there something else going on?” He eyed me suspiciously. “You look like a man who has a secret to spill.”
I laughed and raised my glass to my lips, shrugging.
Brody shook his head. “You care to share?”
“I do.” I turned to look at the door and saw Harper outside, crossing the plaza. “But not yet. She gets to hear it first.” I put the glass down and pushed up from the table.
Brody studied me for a second, but to his credit, he just nodded and tipped his glass. “Fair enough.”
I returned his nod and moved through the crowd to greet Harper.
“Hey there, beautiful.”
Before she had a chance to slip out of her coat, I kissed her deeply. It had only been a few hours since I’d seen her, but it had been too long as far as I was concerned.
“You look excited.” She grinned up at me, a little breathless, like she, too, had something to tell me.
“I am.” I took her hand and led her through the room, looking for a quiet spot to talk. I gave Ethan, who was behind the bar, a glance, and he nodded, gesturing me into the back room.
The moment we were alone, we turned to each other.
“I have something to tell you.”
“I have news.”
We spoke at the same time.
I laughed. “You first.”
“Are you sure?”
I could sense the same glow of excitement I was feeling coming off her. I nodded. “Go ahead.”
Her eyes shimmered as she reached into her coat and pulled out an envelope. “Grandma gave me the restaurant.”
“What?”
Harper nodded. “Officially. She wants me to rebrand it and make it mine.” Her breath caught, but her smile didn’t waver. “I have so many ideas and…” She exhaled hard. “It’s overwhelming in the best way.”
“It’s incredible.” I cupped her cheeks and kissed her deeply. “You’re going to be amazing, my love.”
Harper pulled back a little, concern on her face.
I knew her well enough to know exactly what she was thinking.
No doubt she was trying to temper her excitement for my benefit.
We’d only briefly discussed the situation of the hardware store the night before.
Long enough for me to tell her that I’d been too late in making my offer to Ollie.
“Grayson, I know that—”
“Let me tell you my news.” I stopped her.
She nodded and waited, leaning in closer.
“I’m going to buy the store,” I blurted. “I found Ollie this morning and told him that while I couldn’t offer him the same kind of money, I could offer his store a solid future in this town and the type of service that Homeworks could never provide.”
Her mouth fell open. “Really?”
“Yup,” I told her. “Trickle Creek deserves more than a white-washed big-box store, and he agreed.”
“He did?”
“Yup,” I said again. “We’re going to meet tomorrow and finalize things, but it’s mine, Harper.” I had to blink hard to keep the tears at bay. “It’s all happening.”
“It really is.” She still looked stunned as she reached for me and wrapped her arms around me. “And I couldn’t be any happier.”
I kissed her again. Longer and deeper this time before realizing Brody, and no doubt the rest of the family, were all waiting for us.
“Wait,” I said, thinking of one more thing we hadn’t discussed. “What about Willa? Your grandma…is she giving you the restaurant because…” I let the sentence trail away, unwilling to say the words out loud. I knew how worried Harper was about her.
“No.” Harper shook her head as she understood what I was saying. “It’s not like that at all. In fact, she’s going to travel.”
“Travel?”
Harper laughed. “Because she’s not sick.” She rolled her eyes, but I still wasn’t totally following. “She just let me believe that so I’d come home.”
“Ohh.” I put the pieces together. “Diabolical.”
“Right?” Harper laughed again. “And I can’t be all that mad since I also told a little white lie. And look how that worked out.” She leaned forward and gave me another kiss.
“I’m certainly not complaining,” I told her. “But you know, I’m pretty sure Willa knew what was going on the entire time. Did you know she was responsible for my volunteer appreciation gift?” I used air quotes. “She wanted us to have a little bit of alone time.”
Harper let out a low whistle and shook her head. “Wow. She’s good.”
“She sure is.” I looped my arm through hers. “Are you ready to share our happy news?”
Her mouth dropped open. “You make it sound like we’re having a baby.”
Her words shocked me. But only for a moment. “Not yet, muffin.” I winked. “Why don’t we take one thing at a time?”
“Ha! That’s not—”
“What’s this about a baby?” Ethan chose that moment to burst into the back room. “Did I just hear what I think I heard?”
Harper shook her head fiercely and held up her hand. “Settle down.”
“No way. Your baby and our baby will grow up together,” Ethan continued. “That’s cause for celebration if I ever heard one.”
“Whoa!” I put a hand on my brother’s shoulder. “No one here is having a baby. Except you and Delaney,” I added quickly. “But we do have news.”
Ethan’s smile dipped momentarily, but once more lit up at the mention of something else to celebrate.
“Come on, let’s share with everyone all at once, so no one can spread any baby rumors.” Harper shot a look at Ethan and then looked back at me with wide eyes before laughing.
By the time we got back to the table, everyone else had joined Brody.
The table was full, with Reid and Avery cuddled along the back wall, Lauren snuggled suspiciously close to Brody, and Delaney and Quinn perched on stools.
Even Preston had made it on time. He was still in his ski gear, dusted with snow, but he was there.
Ethan followed us to the table with two fresh jugs of beer that Brody immediately started pouring.
“So?” he prompted once all the glasses were poured and everyone had a glass, Quinn and Delaney with sparkling apple juice instead of beer. “What’s just as exciting as a baby, but isn’t a baby?”
“A baby?” Lauren’s mouth dropped.
Harper and I replied in unison: “No!” and “Stop!”
“No baby,” I said firmly. “Stop it before a rumor really gets going.”
My brother laughed, but I ignored him and looked at Harper. “Do you want to go first or should I?”
Harper’s eyes sparkled as she looked around the table at the expectant faces, then back at me. “Go ahead.”
I squeezed her hand, took a steadying breath, and lifted my glass. “Ollie and I talked this morning. The hardware store is going to be mine.”
The table erupted in cheers and clinking glasses.
Reid leaned over and smacked me on the shoulder. “Well deserved, brother. It’s about fuc—” He stopped himself, looking to Quinn, who was waiting to pin him down with some money for her swear jar. “It’s about time,” he finished with a grin.
Before the noise died down, Harper lifted her glass. “And Grandma gave me the restaurant. Willa’s Whisk is officially mine to run and rebrand.”
Once more, everyone cheered, and there was more celebrating.
“That’s amazing, Harper.” Preston pulled her in for a quick hug.
“Will we still be able to get that yummy lasagna?” Quinn asked seriously.
“I’m sure I’ll keep the lasagna on the menu.”
“Phew!”
Everyone laughed.
There were more cheers, clinking and celebrating as we toasted to family and the promise of an exciting new year. I slipped my arm around Harper and pulled her close.
For the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel like I was simply surviving in this town—I was building a future in it.
With the love of my life by my side.
Finally.