Chapter Two #3
“I, however, have to make an educated guess. Thus lots of tasting.” Harper brought the spoon to her lips, tasted, then reached out to add a generous pinch of oregano. “I want everything to be perfect for tomorrow’s party.”
“It will be. You’ve been planning for weeks.”
“It’s the first time there’s been a gathering here at Sea Breeze since we’ve bought it.”
“Dora’s been here plenty of times.”
“Well, Dora, yes. Of course. She lives so close. But not Carson. She’s the one who’s most attached.
And the one who had an issue with me buying it.
” Harper stirred more rapidly as she felt the nervousness tighten her stomach.
“She’ll want everything to have stayed the same.
” Including Mamaw’s still owning it, Harper thought.
“Hey, it’s done. All water under the bridge now.”
“She can’t help but resent the fact that I own the house she loves. Me, the least likely candidate.”
“Why the least likely?”
“I was the least connected to the house. To the South for that matter. I only came here as a child for a few summers. I was the sister from ‘off.’ The Yankee from New York. Then I come barreling in last summer and buy the place right from under their noses.”
Taylor scoffed, “Hardly the scenario. You were the only one who could afford to rescue it. I figure they’re all thinking you came riding in on your white charger to save the day. Otherwise strangers would be living in this house right now. Carson has to accept that fact and be grateful.”
Harper didn’t reply. In her experience, emotions ran high in family matters and clouded judgment. “She’ll resent any changes I made. Think that it’s not my place, especially while Mamaw is still alive.”
“Maybe at first. It’d be only natural. But she’ll get over it.
” Taylor reached in for a second taste. “Better. But it still needs a little more heat.” He put the spoon on the counter and reached for the mail.
“She’s getting married, too, don’t forget.
She’ll be moving into her own place with Blake.
He was talking about buying a house. She’ll have enough on her mind. ”
“Blake’s not moving. He’s keeping his apartment on Sullivan’s.”
Taylor stopped sifting through the mail and set the pile back on the table. He and Blake had become close friends since the engagement. Their shared interest in dolphins cemented a natural affinity.
“Not moving? I thought he was heading out to James Island. Closer to NOAA.”
“Carson doesn’t want to leave Sullivan’s Island. At least she’s firm about something.”
Taylor kept silent but his brows gathered.
Harper turned off the stove and lay the wooden spoon on the counter.
She knew Taylor’s silences held back a lot of words.
As quick as Harper had been to imply one of Carson’s faults, her defense of her sister came naturally.
“It’s not like Blake doesn’t want to live on the island, too. It’s his apartment.”
Taylor took a long swallow from his beer. “When’s Carson arriving, anyway?”
“Tomorrow afternoon. Blake is picking her up from the airport, then bringing her here.” Harper chewed her lip. “Her room is all freshened up. I’ll put fresh flowers in tomorrow and some lowcountry snacks . . . benne wafers, pralines.”
“You’re doing a lot, honey. Is it really all necessary?”
Her face lit up as she caught his gaze. “I want to. Taylor, it’s beginning. The weddings.”
Taylor’s eyes kindled. “I only care about the one wedding. Ours.”
He leaned against the table and rubbed the back of his neck. Harper knew this as a signal that something was on his mind. She leaned against the counter, crossed her arms, and waited for him to speak.
“I was talking to my parents,” he began.
Harper said nothing.
“We were getting our ducks in a row. Do you know how long Granny James will be staying here?”
Something in his voice made Harper glance up sharply. No love was lost between those two when she and Taylor were dating, but peace had been made.
“She’ll stay until the wedding for sure. After that, as long as she cares to.” Her voice sounded more unyielding than she’d intended.
“Of course,” Taylor hastened to reply. He looked down, his fingers drumming the table behind him.
“The reason why I was talking about dates with my parents is that my mother thought it might be nice for me to return home for a while. Before the wedding. Sort of a last chance to be with her boy again before I become your husband.”
Harper relaxed again and moved closer to Taylor to slip her arms around his waist. “I’ve always assumed you would go back home for a while before the wedding. It’ll be a flurry of estrogen and lace here. But I’ll miss you. How long would you guess? About a week?”
He looked down and his eyes caught hers. “Actually, I was thinking of leaving soon. Before Granny James arrives.”
“What? But that’s next week!”
Taylor nodded.
Harper was stymied. “But . . . but why? There’s no need for you to leave that early. It’s insane. Getting to work every morning all the way from McClellanville will add hours to your commute.”
“It’ll only be for a short while.”
Harper released him and strode across the room for her tea, feeling a sudden need for its warmth. She closed her hands around the heated ceramic and stared at the dark brew. “I don’t understand,” she said softly.
“You remember how things were between your grandmother and me.”
“That was last year. She loves you now.”
“Love?” he said dubiously. “Tolerates, maybe. Accept, possibly. She raked me over the coals.”
“Granny James was just being protective. She didn’t know you and wanted to be sure . . . well . . .”
“That I deserved you.”
“Yes.” Harper’s lips twitched.
“And that I wasn’t after you just for your money.”
Harper shrugged. “That, too. And you passed with flying colors. So what’s the problem?”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to stay here, living in this house, sleeping in your bed, before we’re married.”
“It’s no secret. She knows you’re living here.”
His eyebrows shot up. “She does?”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake. She’s no prude.”
“She is when it comes to you. I don’t want to be on the receiving end of her cool glances. That woman could kill a charging rhino with one look. I’d rather deal with hours of traffic. Or rent a room for a few months.”
Harper put her cup on the counter and crossed her arms against an irrational panic growing inside her chest. She felt her heart beating faster, and it felt as if all the worries she’d squelched deep inside were pounding to get out.
“I can’t be left alone here! They’ll all be here—Carson, Blake, Granny James, Mamaw, Girard, Devlin, Dora, Nate.
. . . They’ll be constantly in and out, asking for things, meals to prepare, laundry.
Not to mention the wedding plans. How will I ever cope? ”
“You don’t have to take care of everyone. They can take care of themselves. It’ll be the same as last summer.”
“But it won’t! This is my home now. It’ll be expected that I make the decisions.
Plan the meals. Be the one in charge. I can’t, Taylor,” Harper blurted, tears springing to her eyes.
Taylor came forward to put his arms around her.
As always, she felt safe in his arms. She needed him now more than ever.
Taylor smoothed the hair from her face, damp with tears.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know why I got so emotional. I’m actually very happy they’re all going to be here. I just feel a bit overwhelmed. It’s just, I can’t do it without you here. I need you. Especially now.”
Taylor’s hand stilled. He slid back, holding her arms in his hands and studying her face. After a brief silence he said faintly, “Why especially now?”
Harper drew a breath and wiped her face with her fingertips. Her face broke into a smile. “Because”— a gleam was in her eyes—“we’re going to have a baby.”