17. Harper
CHAPTER 17
Harper
The scent of vanilla sponge cake filled the bakery kitchen. It had been pouring rain all day, which probably accounted for the lack of customers. Fewer people out and about, fewer still stopping in for a treat.
It was nice to have a breather. With no more need for cookies and cupcakes, I had time to work on custom cake orders. And for a cup of tea.
I pulled a stool to the island and sat, giving my feet a rest.
My phone buzzed with a call, giving me a zing of anticipation. Was it Garrett?
I was probably a little too excited about that.
But it wasn’t. It was my sister, Holly. That was odd. She didn’t call very often.
“Hey, Holly. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, fine. Do you have any idea what happened to Grandma’s vintage cameo brooch?”
“Um, no. I don’t think so.”
“You didn’t end up with it?”
“No.”
“Are you sure? ”
“I think I’d remember if she left me that brooch. It was beautiful.”
Holly let out an irritated breath. “So you’re sure you didn’t lose it?”
I was trying not to get annoyed that she assumed if it was missing, it must have been my fault. “I’m positive. I never had it. Why?”
“I bought a new dress and the brooch would look perfect with it. I was hoping you had it.”
“Did you ask Mom? If Grandma didn’t leave it to you, she probably has it.”
“No, I’ll have to call her.”
“Yeah.” I hesitated. Holly’s familiar voice stirred up an old longing. I’d always wished we were closer. The kind of sisters who shared secrets. “So, how have you been?”
“Good. Just busy.”
“Work busy or socially busy? Or both?”
“Mostly work. Why?”
“I’m just wondering. Did Mom tell you I moved to Tilikum?”
“No. Why would you do that?”
“Aunt Doris was struggling with the bakery, so I came out to help.”
“Just temporarily?”
“Probably not. She really needs to retire.”
“What does that have to do with you?”
“I mean, I’m a baker, so…”
“Sure, but she should be able to find someone out there. She can’t expect you to just drop everything and come bail her out.”
“She didn’t expect me to, I decided.”
“But it’s a tiny town in the middle of nowhere.”
“And?”
“And it sounds like my nightmare. ”
“I guess that’s one of the things that makes us different. I like it here.” I hesitated again. “I’m kind of seeing someone.”
“A small-town guy? Oh my god, please tell me you’re kidding.”
“What? Why?”
“Lovely. Now you’re going to be stuck in that backwoods dump with a flannel-wearing hick who chops wood and wants to keep you barefoot and pregnant. And isolated, I might add. All I can remember about Tilikum is that there’s zero decent shopping.”
“Wow, way to stereotype.”
“We both know I’m right. He probably grew up there and has never lived anywhere else.”
“His family lives here, but I don’t actually know where else he’s lived. I don’t have his entire life story.”
“How much can there be to tell?”
“Probably a lot. Just because he grew up in a small town doesn’t mean he’s a hick. He’s a sheriff’s deputy, thank you very much.”
“Okay.”
I rolled my eyes at the skepticism in her voice. “He’s a great guy. He’s been divorced for a while and has a teenage son who’s the coolest kid. He’s been coming into the bakery to help after school and I’m pretty sure he likes me.”
“Harper, you’re killing me. He has a kid already?”
“What’s wrong with that? I told you, he’s a great kid.”
“For now. Besides, why would you even consider saddling yourself with someone else’s child?”
“He’s a single dad. That means they’re a package deal.”
“Exactly. That should have been a hard no.”
“Maybe for you it would be. But Garrett is amazing. I really like him, and I like his son.”
“Okay, well, kiss your dreams goodbye.”
“I’m sorry I mentioned it. ”
“Don’t be like that, Harper. You need to learn to take criticism.”
“I work in a bakery serving the public, I take criticism all the time. I just thought my sister would be happy for me.”
She sighed. “I just think you sell yourself short. You could achieve so much more.”
“Sorry I’m not fancy enough for you. And he’s not a hick and he doesn’t want me barefoot and pregnant.”
“Oh my god, stop being so sensitive.”
I was about to argue with her, insist I wasn’t being sensitive, but I knew where that would lead. We’d talk in circles until she gave up, too exasperated to deal with me. “I hope you find the brooch.”
“Listen, I know you don’t think you have it, but just look around, okay? It wouldn’t be the first time you lost something.”
I closed my eyes. “Sure, Holly. I’ll take a look when I get home.”
“Thanks. Talk to you later.”
She ended the call and I set my phone down. My shoulders slumped as I stared at my tea. That had been an awful conversation. But what had I expected? Holly—and our mother for that matter—was perpetually disappointed in me. I was the university dropout. Never mind that I’d gone to culinary school. To them, baking wasn’t a real career. And every man I dated was lacking. Not that they’d ever met any of them, they just assumed.
They always expected me to fail.
My phone buzzed against the island. Great. With my luck, it was my mother.
I turned it over and it didn’t even surprise me. It was my mother.
The mirror curse struck again. No one could convince me that was a coincidence.
Against my better judgment, I answered. “Hi, Mom. ”
Doris came in the back door and winced. I shrugged.
“Harper, what’s this I hear about you dating some man out in Tilikum?”
“Did you just talk to Holly? I hung up with her like two minutes ago.”
“Yes.”
“Why did she call you? I’m going out with a guy. I don’t think that’s a family emergency.”
“She called about your grandmother’s brooch. The subject of your questionable life choices also came up.”
“My questionable life choices? Mom, I’ve been out on a couple of dates. Why did this warrant a phone call?”
Doris shook her head slowly.
“I didn’t say anything when you moved to Tilikum. I thought it would be temporary. But darling, is that really the best you can do? It’s very… provincial.”
“I’m sure you mean that in the worst way possible.”
“What sort of life could you have there? I’m concerned.”
“That I’m going to get stuck with a flannel-wearing hick who wants me barefoot and pregnant.”
“Yes.”
I rolled my eyes again. Much more of this and I was going to get an eye-roll headache.
It’s totally a thing.
“He’s a good man. And I like Tilikum. It’s quiet here, and friendly.”
“Well, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
She kept talking for another minute or so. Something about small towns and the sort of people who lived in them. I held the phone away from my ear while Doris laughed softly behind her hand.
“Mom, I’m at work, I need to go. Thanks for the advice.”
“Anytime. You think this through, all right?”
“Yeah, I will. Bye. ”
I ended the call, and, with a groan, dropped my forehead to my arms.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop,” Doris said.
“No, it’s okay. If it had been private, I would have let you know.”
She placed a gentle hand on my back. “I figured. Don’t let her get to you.”
I sat up. “I shouldn’t have said anything to Holly.”
“Is that what happened?”
“Yeah. Holly called and I made the mistake of telling her I’m dating someone. She immediately called Mom, like it’s some sort of crisis.”
She pulled up the other stool and sat. “Your mom always has her own ideas about things.”
“What does she have against small towns? I didn’t even know that was a thing with her.”
“I don’t know. She’d probably say they’re uncivilized, but I think it has more to do with status. She’s always been very concerned with how people perceive her, and her idea of success is very specific.”
“I wish she didn’t have to project all that on me. So what if I like living here and being a baker and dating Garrett Haven? There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“Of course there isn’t.”
“It’s not like we’re getting married. It’s a new relationship. She could simply be happy for me.”
“For what it’s worth, I’m happy for you.”
I placed my hand over hers. “Thanks, Aunt Doris. That’s worth a lot.”
“Hey, Harper?” Beth poked her head through the doorway. “Are you good to watch the front until closing?”
“That’s right, dentist appointment.” I squeezed Doris’s hand, then stood. “Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention to the time.”
“No problem. I just need to get going. ”
“Go ahead. I’ve got this.”
“Thanks. See you tomorrow.”
“What can I help with?” Doris asked.
“There’s a cake in the fridge that needs to be frosted. The order form is over there.” I pointed to the small stack of orders. “Other than that, we’re in good shape today.”
I left Doris to work on the cake while I went up front. Outside, the rain had stopped and the sun had finally come out. The pastry case was looking pretty bare, but it wasn’t long until closing.
The door opened and my stomach went queasy. Matt walked in with a creepy leer on his face. His hair was either wet or very greasy—maybe a bit of both—and his shirt had what appeared to be a mustard stain on the chest.
“Hi, Harper.”
“Hello. What can I do for you?”
“How’s it going?”
“I’m fine, thank you. Can I get you something?”
No matter how hard I tried to use my customer service demeanor, he never took the hint. He approached the counter, his eyes roving over me in a way that made me enormously uncomfortable.
“Just thought I’d stop by and say hi.”
I wished I knew whether Matt was just a bit awkward, or actually dangerous. I honestly couldn’t tell. I didn’t want to be judgmental. Just because he was habitually unkempt didn’t mean he was a bad person.
But he also looked like he might have a cage in his basement waiting for his next victim.
“Oh, well, hi. Sorry the selection is a little lacking, but that tends to happen at the end of the day.” I stepped back, hoping I could excuse myself into the kitchen. “Let me know if you want something from the case.”
“What’s your favorite?”
“It would be hard to choose one. ”
“You’re just such a good baker.”
“Thank you. If you liked the butterscotch chip before, we still have some of those.”
He grinned. “You remembered.”
Oh no. “I did?”
“I did get a butterscotch chip last time. I knew you—”
Before he could finish, the door opened. It might as well have been a knight in shining armor, only it was a big man in aviators and a deputy uniform.
I couldn’t help the enormous smile that stole over my face. Giddiness bubbled up inside me, chasing away the queasy sensation. I would have been happy to see Garrett anyway, but his timing was perfect.
Owen came in behind him, his hands stuffed in the pocket of his hoodie. He flicked his head to get his hair out of his eyes and smiled.
“Hi, you two.”
Garrett took off his aviators and gave me a subtle grin. “Hi.”
Just that little word, delivered in his deliciously deep voice, sent a tingle down my spine.
Owen’s brow furrowed and his eyes moved to Matt, then back to me.
“Sorry,” I said, turning back to Matt. I’d basically forgotten he was standing there. “Did you decide?”
He wasn’t looking in the case, and he wasn’t looking at me—my face or my boobs. His gaze was on Garrett. And he did not look happy. His round cheeks were splotchy red and his glare was unmistakable.
Garrett’s expression didn’t change. I could practically see him sizing up the situation—noting the variables, calculating the risks. He looked calm and completely in control.
Matt, not so much. He clenched his fists and his upper lip curled in a sneer.
“Go ahead and go to the kitchen.” Garrett nudged Owen but his eyes didn’t leave Matt.
Owen widened his eyes at me, as if to say, this should be interesting , as he headed around the counter.
Garrett followed Owen to my side of the counter, but didn’t go into the kitchen. He locked his gaze on me, his expression intense. I could feel Matt watching, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the man moving toward me.
One corner of his mouth lifted slightly as he placed a knuckle beneath my chin to tilt my face up. He brushed a soft kiss against my lips, then shifted to stand right behind me, one hand on the small of my back.
Garrett’s move wasn’t lost on Matt. He’d just declared, in no uncertain terms, that I was his.
If Owen and Aunt Doris hadn’t been in the kitchen, I would have dragged him back there and let him defile me in a hundred different ways.
Garrett leaned in and spoke low into my ear. “Sorry. I’ll let you finish with your customer.”
Matt looked like his head might pop. His face had gone from splotchy red to purple, and his eyes were bloodshot. He was way too angry for a regular bakery customer who’d just witnessed the baker get a tiny kiss.
And he was way too angry for a guy who was just a bit awkward and didn’t seem to remember to wash his clothes.
Did he have a cage in his basement? And was he thinking about putting me in it?
I swallowed hard. “Did you want something?”
He tore his eyes from Garrett and turned his glare on me. Although his expression softened, the intense eye contact was unnerving.
“Butterscotch chip.”
I did my best to smile as I got the butterscotch chip cookie out of the case and put it in a bag. His anger seemed to be starting to cool, his face returning to its normal color. He took the bag and paid with cash .
“Have a nice day.” I handed him his change.
“Thanks, Harper.” His voice still had a note of strain, and when he lifted his eyes, they narrowed at Garrett. But there was more annoyance than malice in his gaze as he turned and walked out the door.
I let out a long breath while Garrett gently rubbed my back. “Well that was awkward.”
“Has he been in before?” he asked.
“A couple of times, yeah. He’s always struck me as a little off.”
“He did not like seeing me here.” He slipped a hand around my waist and turned me toward him. “Are you okay?”
“Oh yeah, fine. It wouldn’t be the first time I had a customer I wasn’t thrilled to see return.”
He glanced at the door. “Do you think he left you the bear?”
“I hadn’t thought of that, but maybe?” I paused. “Kind of fits, doesn’t it?”
“He didn’t say anything about it?”
“No, but he was only here for a minute before you walked in.”
Garrett nodded slowly, as if considering.
“Do you know anything about him?” I asked.
“Not really. I’ve seen him around town but he’s never been in trouble. Not here, at least.”
“So maybe he is just kind of weird.”
“Bro’s a creep.” Owen appeared in the doorway. “Dad, you should arrest him.”
Garrett let go of me and stepped back. “I can’t arrest someone without cause.”
“He probably has a fridge full of jarred human organs.”
Garrett shook his head with a soft chuckle. “That’s helpful, Owen, thank you. ”
“I’m just saying. Harper, he totally left you the murder bear, by the way.”
“You think so?” I asked.
“Definitely. Fits the profile.”
“What profile?” Garrett asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
“You know what I mean. Weirdo obviously has a crush on Harper. Seems like the type who’d leave an old stuffed animal on her car.”
I looked at Garrett and shrugged. “He’s not wrong.”
“Guy’s got no rizz, though,” Owen said.
Garrett met my eyes, his brow furrowed. I shrugged. Apparently we both needed a teenage slang lesson.
“Rizz?” Garrett asked, turning to Owen.
Owen rolled his eyes. “Rizz, like charisma. Means he can’t get a girl.”
“Oh.” I nodded. That actually made some sense. “Matt definitely lacks rizz.”
Owen shook his head and let out a soft laugh. “Bruh.”
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing.”
“If he does anything, and I mean anything, that makes you uncomfortable, call me,” Garrett said. “Immediately.”
“Okay. I will.”
He brushed a wisp of hair off my face. His eyes flicked to Owen and he lowered his hand.
Oh my gosh, he was shy about touching me in front of his son. Why was that so cute?
“Dad, you’re so weird.” He turned and started back into the kitchen. “I’ll go in here so you can kiss your girlfriend.”
Girlfriend? My heart fluttered and I tried to keep myself from smiling too big.
But something tickled the back of my brain, a voice whispering doubts. Garrett Haven was too good to be true. And my bad luck was going to ruin it somehow.