Chapter Nine – Harper
Harper
Opening my tired eyes, I saw the most beautiful hazel gaze staring at me, desire burning in their depths. Or maybe they were green…I couldn’t tell through my pleasure-induced haze.
“How did that feel?” Declan purred, as he placed a soft kiss on my upper thigh. I settled back into the pillows and tried to control my labored breathing.
“Like heaven,” I whispered. “Like pure heaven.”
He hummed as he gave me another kiss, this one closer to my core, and I let out a soft groan. “Should I do it again?”
The feel of something on my thigh caused me to sit up on my elbows. Smiling, I asked, “What are you doing with my lipstick?”
With a wicked grin, he rolled it up and started to write on my skin. “Now that you’ve had a taste of the pleasure I can give you, you don’t need my brother anymore, Harp.”
I closed my eyes as the memory of Declan’s mouth on my clit only moments ago caused my entire body to shiver.
“Harper,” he whispered.
My eyes opened, and I stared at the one word written across the top of my upper thigh.
Mine.
Declan leaned down and kissed me again, and I dropped back onto the bed. When his mouth covered me for a second time, I gripped the sheets, arched my back, and cried out his name.
“Oh God, Declan! Yes! Yes!”
The sound of a loud crash caused me to bolt up and look around the room. For a moment, I didn’t know where I was. Slowly, I realized how heavy I was breathing, and that my body was covered in sweat.
I looked around my bedroom, then fell back onto the bed in frustration.
“Holy. Shit.”
I closed my eyes and squeezed my legs together to ease the throbbing. I sat up again and pushed the sheet off me to look at my upper right thigh. Reaching down, I ran my finger along the skin and took a long breath before releasing it. The word written in red lipstick wasn’t there, of course…and the way that made my heart sink surprised me.
My phone rang, and I yelped in surprise while trying to grab it and not fall off the bed.
“Hel…hello? Yes…um…hello.”
“Jesus, Harper, are you in the middle of having sex?” Cadie laughed.
Cadie Waterford was quickly becoming one of my best friends. She worked at the Batter Up Bakery and was running it for Opal, the owner.
I wiped the sweat off my brow. “Hey, Cadie. I was sleeping.”
“Why are you breathing so heavy? I’m here with breakfast. Come open the door! I’ve been ringing your doorbell and banging on the door for ten minutes. I was just about to go over and get the hot new cop next door to break the door down and check on you.”
I groaned and dropped back onto the bed. “Don’t mention Declan.”
“Why not? And are you on your way? I’m about to drop your coffee.”
“I’m on my way.”
Hitting End on my phone, I tossed it onto the bed and quickly went down to the second floor. I buzzed the back door, then heard the muffled sound of it closing.
I unlocked the door and headed to the kitchen. I could hear Cadie coming up the steps, and when the door to my apartment opened and closed, I turned to greet her.
“Did you forget to set your alarm?” Cadie asked, setting a box of baked goods on the table and a coffee carrier next to it. She took one coffee out and handed it to me.
“Thanks,” I said, before peeling back the lid and blowing on the hot liquid. “Is this from Timeless Cup?”
She looked at me as if I’d just asked her a question in another language. “Of course it is. Is there any other place to buy coffee?”
I laughed. “Main Street Café.”
Cadie opened the box and inhaled. “Their coffee isn’t as good. I brought your favorite!”
Glancing into the box, I saw Cadie’s banana bread and nearly moaned. “Oh my gosh, I’ve been craving that. Let me get the butter and honey!”
She chuckled as she crossed to a cupboard and took out two small plates.
“I also have a few cherry cream cheese kolaches in there for you.”
I set the butter and honey on the table before turning and grabbing silverware.
“How can you eat it with honey, Harp? I feel like it’s sweet enough.”
My fork fell to my plate with a clatter. “I’m sorry, nothing can ever be sweet enough. And you know how much I love honey.”
“I think it’s a plant thing. You’re always out there talking to the bees on your flowers.”
Pointing a butter knife at her, I said, “If it weren’t for the bees, you wouldn’t be able to make all your goodies.”
Cadie nodded. “So, want to tell me why you were breathing all hot and heavy?”
I closed my eyes and sighed. “Oh, Cadie. I’m in so much trouble.”
Her eyes lit up. “Finally, someone else is in trouble, and it’s not me!”
Smiling, I took a bite of banana bread, chewed, and swallowed. I was stalling, and Cadie knew it.
“Just spill it, will you?”
“You know how you mentioned the hot cop next door?”
“Yeah,” she replied, blowing on her coffee and taking a sip.
I could feel my cheeks starting to heat up. “I was having a dream…and he was in it.”
Her eyes twinkled with glee as she set her cup down. “Like a naughty dream?”
Nodding, I replied, “Yep.”
“How interesting! And while you’re fake-dating his brother.”
In addition to my family, I’d told my closest friends the truth about me and Sean. I couldn’t stand the idea of them thinking I’d gone back to him for real.
“Ugh.” I pushed another piece of banana bread into my mouth and chewed aggressively. Cadie watched me with a guarded expression, and I could tell she wanted to say something but was patiently waiting for me to finish eating the food I’d shoveled into my mouth.
Swallowing and taking a drink of my coffee, I leaned back in the chair. “This fake relationship is messing with my life.”
“Why do it then?”
“Because I’m an idiot.”
“Well…I wouldn’t say idiot, but you’re certainly a hot topic these days. Especially after the way he broke up with you in front of the entire town.”
“It wasn’t the entire town.”
Cadie took a bite of a cherry cream cheese kolache. “It might as well have been. It only took minutes for that fiasco to make its way to pretty much everyone.”
She wasn’t wrong there. It did spread like wildfire.
“So what’s the deal with him and his mom, exactly? You said something about Sean doing this whole fake-dating thing to get her off his back?”
“Basically, she hasn’t stopped pushing him since childhood toward a relationship with a friend who he thinks of as a sister.”
Cadie rolled her eyes. “What is it with the mothers in this town? They’re all up in their kids’ business.”
“Mine isn’t.”
She pointed at me. “Yours is a rare exception. Kian’s mother is. Sean’s. Judith Turner, as well. Poor Hope has to deal with that woman constantly.”
I nodded. “Speaking of Hope, have you seen her lately?”
Cadie looked up in thought, then finally shook her head. “Come to think of it, I haven’t seen her in at least a month. You?”
“No.” I shook my head. “I haven’t. And the last time she came in, she looked pale and exhausted.”
“Maybe we should all go see her. I know Brystol and Aurora would love to. Aurora mentioned her the other day when I stopped in to get a cookbook I ordered.”
“Aren’t Hope and Aurora good friends?” I asked.
Cadie shrugged. “I think they’re pretty close. Hope told me that Aurora was the first person to welcome her to Moose Village. Apparently, her husband and Aurora’s brother are friends?”
“Oh yeah. Liam and Nathan have been best friends since childhood. Aurora said that Nathan almost cried when he found out Liam was moving back to Moose Village, he was so happy.”
Cadie smiled. “That’s sweet. But wait—we got off the topic of your hot and heavy dream! So, you’re fake-dating Sean, but you have the hots for his brother.”
I sighed. “That about sums it up.”
“What did you dream?” she asked, waggling her brows.
I could feel my face heating again.
“Oh my gosh, Harper, you are blushing!”
Clearing my throat, I stood and reached for her plate.
“I’m not done! Sit your ass back down and finish your bread.”
“Okay!” I laughed as I took my seat once again. “In my dream, Declan had just finished giving me oral, and he asked if he was better than his brother. Or maybe he said I wouldn’t ever think of his brother again? I don’t remember. But then—this is the best part—he took my tube of lipstick and wrote the word ‘mine’ on my thigh.”
Cadie gasped, both her hands flying to her mouth to smother a squeal. She slowly dropped them and whispered, “Like the Taylor Swift song. Oh my God, you’re living that song right now! Do you feel guilty about your dream?”
Frowning, I tried to think what song she was talking about. When I couldn’t, I shook my head. “Why would I feel guilty? I’m not really dating Sean.”
She sat back. “That’s true. So the song doesn’t really apply here. Damn it.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m sorry if my life isn’t a playbook of Taylor Swift songs, Cadie.”
She waved me off. “We’ll find another one. By the way, the song title is ‘Guilty as Sin’.”
I snapped my fingers. “That’s right! Geesh, if it were a snake, it would’ve bitten me.”
Cadie giggled.
“I mean, some of the lyrics could make it my song. I was dreaming about it. I swear to God I woke up having an orgasm.”
Cadie bounced in her seat. “This is amazing! I’ve been trying to figure out your Tay Tay song!”
“Tay Tay? Good Lord, you’ve been hanging around Brystol way too much. Please tell me you don’t have Taylor Swift songs playing over the speakers in the bakery like Brystol does in the toy store.”
“I’m not that bad, but trying to find one of her songs that mimics your own life is kind of fun.”
“What’s yours?” I asked, breaking off a piece of banana bread that was still in the box and popping it into my mouth.
“That’s easy. It’s ‘I Know Places’.”
I chuckled. “That does fit you, or at least your life at the beginning of the year.”
“Tell me about it. So, the hot new cop got you off in your dream. What are you going to do about it?”
I gave a one-shoulder shrug. “There isn’t anything I can do right now. I told Sean I’d help him until July.”
“Why can’t you tell Declan the truth, at least? You’ve told everyone closest to you.”
A harsh, humorless laugh slipped free. “And risk flirting with him? No, I can’t do that. My season tickets could be on the line.”
Her brows shot up. “Season tickets? To what?”
I chewed on my lower lip.
Cadie scowled at me. “Please tell me they’re not for the Giants.”
Screwing up my face, I nodded. “They are.”
“No! No! No! Why didn’t you get Patriots?”
I pretended to gag. “Gross. You’re in New York now, Cadie. It’s time you leave your Boston sports back in New England.”
She let out another gasp. “Never!”
“Anyway, back to my point. I promised Sean I’d help, and now I have to follow through. Besides, he didn’t actually mean to break up with me over a loudspeaker.”
Cadie gave me a look. “Maybe not. But he didn’t have to do it at The Green, regardless. You’re a much better person than me. I’d have told him to shove off.” It was her turn to sigh. “At least you can enjoy sexy dreams with the hot older brother in the meantime.”
I exhaled. “I don’t know. How will I face him after having a dream like that? I mean, it was the hottest dream I’ve ever had.”
“I still say tell him the truth. If this charade is for Sean’s mother, I don’t see why you can’t tell the brother. Declan, was it?”
“Yeah,” I nodded. “That’s his name.”
“Even his name is sexy.”
Laughing, I tossed my napkin at her. “Aren’t you in love with Kian?”
“Yes, very much so. That doesn’t mean my eyes don’t work.”
“What am I going to do, Cadie?”
“Do you think Declan is attracted to you?”
I chewed on my lip nervously. “I don’t know. Sometimes when he looks at me, I feel something between us. I also thought the same thing when I was younger, but back then, it may have just been wishful thinking on my part.”
“Well, there’s one thing I know for sure. You’ll never be able to find out if you’re pretending to date his brother.”
I blew out a frustrated breath. “You’re right. I need to tell Sean this has to end sooner rather than later. He’ll have to just grow a pair and stand up to his mother.”
Cadie scrunched up her face. “If she’s anything like Kian’s mother, good luck with that.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever remembered it being so hot this early in the summer,” Aurora said as she sat in a fold-out chair beside me. We were both working the barbecue booth, and I must admit, it was hot .
“Turn that fan and let it blow on you for a bit,” I said, as I smiled at a woman walking up with Winnie Turner. Winnie was Hope and Liam’s young daughter. “Hi! In the mood for some barbecue?” I asked.
“Yes! And if you have any of that chocolate pudding left, I think Winnie would love it,” the young woman said.
Aurora stood and grinned. “Hey, Mary, how are you?”
“Hi, Aurora. I’m doing good. Came into town this weekend to help Hope and Liam.”
Aurora nodded. “Harper, this is Mary Magoffin, Hope’s younger sister.”
I reached across and shook Mary’s hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mary.”
“Likewise.”
“And how are you today, little Winnie!”
With a giggle, Winnie turned and buried her head in Mary’s shoulder.
“She’s growing like a weed,” I stated. “When will she be two?”
Mary tickled Winnie’s side. “Next March.”
“Where’s Hope and Liam?” Aurora asked.
Mary’s smile faded just a touch, but she quickly recovered. “They’re at the house. Hopefully, they’ll be joining us later.”
Aurora nodded, but I could see the worry in her eyes. “Tell her to give me a call. I tried calling her the other day, and I’ve left a voicemail and a couple of texts, but she hasn’t replied.”
Mary smiled bigger, and I could tell it was forced. “I’ll tell her.”
“Which barbecue were you thinking?” I asked, hoping to steer the conversation in another direction, since it was painfully apparent by the distressed look in Mary’s eyes she wanted to talk about anything other than Hope.
“We’ll take a turkey plate, please.”
“Sides?” I asked as I grabbed a plate and started to pile on the turkey. We had precisely one barbecue place in town, Flame and Fork, and they had the best turkey I’d ever eaten.
“How about the mac and cheese? I think Winnie would like that.”
Winnie nodded, and the three of us laughed.
After I loaded their tray with the plate and two drinks, Aurora offered to carry it over to one of the tables on The Green. I watched as they walked away…and wondered what was going on with Hope.
Before I had too long to think about it, I saw Declan, Gavin, and James all walking toward the barbecue booth.
“Oh God,” I whispered, trying not to let my eyes rake over Declan’s body. He was, of course, in his police uniform, and he wore that smile that made my heart feel like it was tripping over itself. It would be my luck that I’d see him today. I was positive this morning’s dream would be written all over my face . I had a sex dream and you were the star!
“Afternoon, Harper,” Gavin said as he strolled up first and winked at me. Gavin Quinn was one of the biggest flirts I’d ever met. We went out once right after Sean and I broke up and it was quickly apparent we were better off as friends. He was handsome, though, with his brown eyes and brown hair cut short like he was in the military. So it wasn’t too hard to have a good-looking guy like him giving you attention.
“Hey, Gavin. How’s it going?” I asked as I tried not to let my eyes stray back to Declan.
“It’s going. Trying to train the new guy,” he said, jerking his thumb toward Declan. Now I was forced to look at him—and I felt my entire body flush, just at the sight of him standing there. My mind went to my dream, and Declan’s mouth between my legs.
Tilting his head, Declan grinned as he regarded me. “Everything okay, Harp?”
I attempted to talk but it came out more like a squeak. “Everything’s great. Just fine! Nothing out of the ordinary, no crazy dreams, no…um…no issues.”
Oh. My. God. Did I really just say no crazy dreams?
James laughed. “Have you been having crazy dreams we should know about?”
“No!” I shouted, then turned and quickly grabbed a plate. “What are you in the mood for?”
James and Gavin both ogled the meat selection while Declan ogled me . I tried to give him a casual smile, but he wouldn’t stop staring.
When James spoke, I finally dragged my eyes away from Declan.
“I think I’ll have the brisket. I’ll take potato salad and mac and cheese, as well.”
Aurora walked back over with Brystol, who took one look at Gavin and groaned.
“Don’t act like you don’t love seeing me, Bry.”
“Don’t call me that,” she snapped, snatching up a plate and glaring at Gavin. “What do you want?”
“Geesh, what terrible customer service. If you don’t mind, I’ll wait for Harper or Aurora to serve me.”
Brystol leaned forward. “I’ll serve, and if you don’t tell me what you want right now, I’m going to shove this fork up your tight ass, Gavin.”
Gavin’s brows shot up as James laughed, and Declan cleared his throat in a sad attempt not to laugh.
“Okay, I’d like to know how you know Gavin’s ass is tight? I mean, beyond the fact he clearly works out,” Aurora mused, looking between Brystol and Gavin.
“Thank you, Aurora,” Gavin purred. “I always did think you were the nicest of the group.”
I frowned. “Hey!”
Gavin looked at me and winked. “You’re the prettiest, Harp.”
“Oh, shut up, Gavin. For once, can you just not flirt with a woman?” Brystol criticized.
Looking up briefly, as if he was genuinely giving it some thought, Gavin finally shook his head. “No, I don’t think I can. It’s built into my DNA. Most women like it, just not the uptight, hard-ass types.”
“You know what?” Brystol said, pointing the knife she suddenly held toward Gavin. “I will cut that pretty boy face if you don’t—”
“Okay, I think that’ll be enough of the knife-wielding, if you don’t mind,” Declan said, as he carefully took the knife from Brystol and handed it to Aurora, who was doing everything she could not to crack up.
Brystol cleared her throat and placed a hand over her chest. “I’m sorry. He just brings out the worst in me.”
Gavin winked at Brystol, and I thought for a moment she was going to jump over the booth and strangle him.
“You realize assaulting an officer of the law is a bad thing, right, Bry?” he teased.
Balling her fists, Brystol narrowed her eyes, and I held my breath for what might come next. But before Brystol could say a word, all three officers’ radios went off. Dispatch recited a code, then an address. For a second, it didn’t sink in whose address it was…then Aurora gasped.
“That’s Hope and Liam’s address.”
Brystol frowned. “What was that code?” When none of the men answered, she turned to Gavin and gave him a pleading look. “Gavin?”
He swallowed. “It’s for an ambulance.”
A look of concern crossed everyone’s faces.
“An ambulance for what?” I asked quietly.
“Hey, guys, how’s it going?” Nathan Banks, Aurora’s older brother, offered everyone a smile. When he noticed all the somber faces, he asked, “What’s going on?”
“An ambulance was just called to Hope and Liam’s house,” Aurora said. “Do you know why?”
Nathan blanched—then looked down at the ground.
“Nate? What’s going on?” Aurora asked.
He exhaled before looking up at his younger sister. “I thought Hope had already spoken to you.”
“She mentioned needing to talk, but every time I try to narrow down a time to talk, she cancels.”
With a pained expression, he glanced around the group. “I’m only telling you this because Liam and Hope have started to tell family and friends. Hope has cancer.”
A round of gasps went up from the small group, and I felt my stomach lurch. “How bad?” I asked.
Tears built in Nathan’s eyes, but he blinked them away. “Stage four lung cancer.”
“ What? ” Aurora cried. “And you didn’t tell any of us?”
Nathan shot his sister a look. “Liam asked me not to. Hope wasn’t ready to tell anyone. She still isn’t, if I’m being honest. And Liam was going crazy not being able to talk about this to anyone, so he confided in me. It wasn’t my place to tell you at all.”
Brystol’s hands, which had been covering her mouth, dropped to her sides. “Is there anything we can do for her? For Liam? Winnie?”
Nathan gave her a weak smile. “Just prayers. Once they decide to tell people, I’m sure the town will rally around them.”
Aurora sank into a chair, tears rolling down her face. I crouched down and hugged her. “Don’t cry, Aurora. Please don’t cry.”
Nathan made his way around the booth, and Aurora stood, allowing him to pull her into a hug. “I’m so sorry, Aurora. I wanted to tell you, but Hope just wasn’t ready.”
She nodded her head as she wiped her tears. “I understand. But I’m glad you told us.”
It grew quiet all around us, as if the day’s activities had somehow faded away, and the only sound I could hear was Aurora’s sniffles.
“I’m no longer hungry,” Gavin said quietly, before turning and stepping away from the booth. James followed his younger brother, and I watched them slowly walk away. When I glanced at Declan, he also had eyes on them. Then he turned, and our eyes met. I swore the air cracked between us for a moment with something I couldn’t put my finger on.
“I’m sorry,” Declan said to the rest of us, glancing around the booth, before leaving to catch up with Gavin and James.
Still shocked by Nathan’s news, I dropped into a chair. Brystol did the same.
“Poor Hope and Liam,” she whispered. “I can’t even imagine.”
All I could do was shake my head.
Then, suddenly, everything seemed to come into focus. Life was so short, and we weren’t promised a damn thing. My gaze lifted, and I saw Declan talking to some tourists. He smiled at something the older man said…and I knew in that moment I wasn’t going to pretend any longer.
I pulled out my phone and sent Sean a text.
Me: I can’t do this any longer, Sean. You’re going to have to tell your mother the truth.