Chapter 16 #2
I swallowed, lowering my voice as I reached for another tray. “How do you think it’s working out?” I used my head to gesture to Kevin, who was pulling another roast turkey from the oven. “He’s pretty great, isn’t he?”
Grandma pursed her lips together and nodded. “I have to admit, he’s okay.”
“Grandma.” I rolled my eyes. “He’s better than okay.”
“He’s not you, Harper.” She eyed me sharply. “You know you’re the best person for this job.”
I sucked in a breath. It was the first time she’d said anything directly about me coming back to run the restaurant.
I set my spoon down and turned to her. “Grandma, do you want me to move back to Trickle Creek and run the restaurant?”
She hesitated for a second before shaking her head slowly. “I want the only thing I’ve ever wanted, Harper. For you to be happy.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
“You know how proud I am of all you’ve done with your career.”
I nodded. She told me every chance she got how proud of me she was of what I’d achieved.
“This place was never your dream,” she continued, a layer of sadness in her voice. “It was mine. And I’ve loved every minute of running Willa’s Whisk. And yes, there was part of me who hoped you’d come back on your own, take over the kitchen and maybe put down some roots in Trickle Creek.”
My heart clenched. “Grandma, I didn’t say—”
“Speaking of happy.” Grandma’s voice shifted, and she looked over my shoulder. “There’s the happiest baby I’ve ever seen.”
I turned around, spoon in hand, to see Charli, with baby Poppy strapped to her chest, enter the kitchen. Just like always, the baby was grinning and giggling.
“Sorry I’m late. This little one decided she didn’t want to put her coat on.” Charli shook her head. She lifted the two big bags she was holding. “I have the cookies.”
“Thank you, dear.” Grandma pointed to the counter. “Set them over there. We’ll box them up next.”
“I don’t believe for one second that this one gave you any trouble at all.” I wiped my hands on a towel and reached for the baby, whose grin only got wider. “Let me have her.”
“Gladly.” Charli unclipped the Snuggly and handed me the baby.
I tucked Poppy against my chest, her tiny hands patting at my chest, her sweet laughter bubbling out. My heart softened instantly.
“See?” I nuzzled her soft hair. “This little sweetie pie was born smiling.”
“Don’t let her fool you.” Charli laughed. “She knows how to work a crowd. But you should see her at three in the morning.”
Grandma chuckled, shaking her head. “She reminds me of you at that age, Harper. Always soaking up all the attention.”
Charli grinned. “I could see that.”
I rolled my eyes and focused on the baby. She really was a doll. I’d never had the baby fever that other women my age spoke about, but then again, I hadn’t been around a lot of people having babies in the last few years.
Charli looked so at ease with her little girl, like she was born to be a mother.
With her husband and flower shop business, she’d built a solid life in Trickle Creek.
I, on the other hand, had been living out of a suitcase for more than a decade, chasing seasons and contracts, never staying anywhere or with anyone long enough to feel like I truly belonged.
Poppy’s little fist closed around my finger, squeezing tight, and something twisted in my chest.
“Looks like she likes you,” Charli said warmly.
“She’s such a cutie.”
Charli tilted her head, studying me for a beat. “Feels good, doesn’t it? Being back?”
I hesitated, my throat tight. “Yeah,” I admitted. “It does.”
Her smile was warm as she nodded. “It looks good on you.”
“It sure does,” Grandma said with a wink as she tickled Poppy’s cheek.
I turned to look at Grandma. “The baby or the kitchen?”
“Both, sweetheart.” Her eyes gleamed, a little too bright. “But for now, I’ll settle for having you back in the kitchen. Now, let’s get these dinners packed up before we get too sentimental. There are a lot of seniors and people in need who are waiting for their dinners.”
“Okay, okay.” A little reluctantly, I handed the baby back to Charli, who strapped her into the carrier.
“Symon will be here to start deliveries in thirty minutes,” Charli said. “He said the whole town smells like turkey today.”
“Good.” Grandma nodded. “That’s how it should smell. We’re going to make so many people happy with these dinners.”
“You always do, Willa.”
Grandma waved away the compliment. “You two keep working here. I’m going to go check on that gravy.”
“She insists that she’s the only one who can get it just right,” I told Charli as Grandma moved to the other side of the kitchen.
The moment she was gone, Charli spun to face me. “Spill, woman. I want all the details.”
My face flushed hot. “Details?”
“You and Grayson,” she said impatiently. “I mean, I love seeing the two of you together again. Finally. But how was the lodge?”
“You heard about that?”
She gave me a look.
“Right.” I laughed. “I forget how small this town is sometimes.”
“So? How was it? A romantic night away. I bet the two of you needed some alone time.” She wiggled her eyebrows, and I groaned. “What does this mean? Like, for the future?”
They were questions I wished I had answers for.
I sighed and put my spoon down. “The lodge was incredible. Every minute of it. As for the future…” I glanced over at Grandma, who fortunately wasn’t paying attention. “We’re still trying to work it all out. It’s complicated.”
Thankfully, the ding of the timer, alerting us to the fresh batch of buns done in the oven, distracted us from the question, and we got back to work.
For the next half hour, we worked seamlessly together.
Charli filled boxes, with a sleeping baby on her chest, Grandma shifted her attention to the gravy, claiming she was the only one who could get it just right, and I assembled the roasted vegetables.
It was noisy, busy, and warm, and for once, it didn’t feel like I was trying to keep up with the crazy pace of the rest of the world.
“This is really nice,” I said under my breath, mostly to myself.
“What is?” Charli glanced over.
“Being here,” I admitted. “Cooking with Grandma. This town. It feels…good.”
My old friend gave me a tender smile. “That’s because you fit here, Harper. Some things don’t change.”
Her words stayed with me as we worked. By the time all the dinners were packed and stacked on the counter, I was both exhausted and strangely full, like my chest couldn’t hold everything pressing against it.
Or more specifically, the swirl of emotions and conflicting feelings I’d been holding in for far too long.
“Excellent work, everyone.” Grandma wiped her hands on her apron. “This might have been our highest number of Christmas dinners yet. We could never have done it without all of your help.” Her eyes locked on mine. “All of you.”
Before I could say anything, a knock sounded at the back door, followed by a rush of cold air.
“Sorry to interrupt.” Grayson’s deep voice carried into the kitchen. “But I’m here to collect my caroling partner.”
My heart tripped in my chest, and I glanced up at the clock over the stove. I’d completely lost track of time.
“Did you finish delivering all the presents already, Santa?” Charli asked.
“Hey.” He turned to her, as if he’d only just noticed that she was there. “I did. My Santa duties are all finished.” He turned back to me. “I’m ready for some caroling. Am I early?”
“No,” I said quickly. “Sorry, Gray. I didn’t—”
“Go on.” Grandma waved me toward the door. “We’re all done here. Kevin can close down the kitchen on his own.”
“But it’s Christmas Eve.” I reached for Grandma and held her hands. “Do you want to come with us?”
She laughed. “Oh, sweetheart. No one needs to hear my singing voice. Tilley’s going to pick me up to take me to the senior center. I’ll see you back home later.”
“You’re sure?”
“Positive.” She gave me a look that brooked no argument. “Besides, I think you’ve earned a little fun.”
Charli’s grin was all too knowing. “Go.” She winked.
I untied my apron, suddenly hyperaware of the flour on my sweater and the heat still clinging to my cheeks.
As I stepped toward the door, Grayson’s gaze met mine, warm and steady, reminding me of the way he’d looked at me lying on the rug in front of the fire the night before, and just like that, my pulse was racing all over again.
Grayson
The last verse of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” finally trailed off. The last song in the songbook, I closed it and wrapped my arm around Harper. She snuggled into my side automatically.
“All done?” She looked up at me with a hopeful grin.
“I mean, we could start at the beginning again if you want? Maybe there are some houses over—”
“No!” She grabbed my cheek and turned me back toward her.
I laughed and kissed her. It was getting easier and easier to believe that what we were doing was real. Probably because it felt real. Very real.
She melted in my arms, and I would have happily kissed her right there in the middle of the snow-dusted street all night if there hadn’t been a smack on my shoulder.
“Okay, you two. Enough already.” Brody laughed. “The time for festive cheer is over; you can go get a room.”
“Didn’t they do that last night?” Lauren appeared over his shoulder and laughed.
Harper pulled out of my arms and slapped the carol book against Brody’s chest. “What? Are we in high school again, you guys?”
“I mean, it kind of feels like it, seeing the two of you back together.”
“Very funny.” I shot Brody a look and reached for Harper’s hand, tugging her away from my big brother before he could say anything stupid. Well, even more stupid. “We’re out of here.”
“Okay, okay.” Brody didn’t bother to hide his laughter. “See you tomorrow, guys.” He looped his arm casually over Lauren’s shoulder and steered her in the opposite direction.
Watching them, I couldn’t help but think of how easy it could be with the right person. The person who felt like home. Of course, Brody and Lauren continued to insist there was nothing romantic between them, but they didn’t see themselves the way we did.
Was that how others saw Harper and me?
When Harper squeezed my hand, bringing me back into the moment, all thoughts of my brother and Lauren vanished, replaced by the one woman who already did feel like home for me.
We walked together under the streetlights until we arrived at the back door of the restaurant and her apartment. “Come up,” she said. “I want you to see the tree.”
The ring weighed heavily in my pocket. I wanted to give it to her. More than anything, I wanted to give it to her and see her reaction. But the words weren’t there yet. It hadn’t felt right. Not yet.
“I’d love that.”
Upstairs, the tree cast the cozy living room in a warm glow. Harper shrugged off her coat and boots. “I’ll make us an eggnog.”
I shed my own parka and boots by the door and wandered to the tree, inspecting the delicate ornaments when she returned with two glasses.
“The tree looks beautiful, Harper. Willa must love it.”
“She does.” Even in the dim light, Harper’s smile was bright. “I can’t thank you enough, Grayson. And not just for the tree. For…” A tear slipped down her cheek, but she wiped it away quickly.
“You don’t need to thank me for anything.” I led her to the couch. “You know I’d do anything for you, Harper. And for Willa. You don’t need to—”
“I know.” She stopped me. “But this…you…you’ve gone above and beyond.”
I slipped my arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “And I’ve enjoyed every second.”
She chuckled and shook her head. “It has been fun.”
And then the laughter disappeared, as she tilted her head toward mine.
My hand cupped her cheek, leaning in close.
“Stay,” Harper whispered. “Stay tonight.”
My chest tightened. I wanted to. More than anything, I wanted to spend another night with Harper. But the sound of the door downstairs and the creaking on the stairs made us both jerk upright.
Willa bustled in, looking more spry than I’d seen her in weeks. Her cheeks were red from the cold, her scarf half undone, as she hummed a carol.
“Don’t mind me, you two.” She winked in our direction and set her purse on the table. “Pretend I’m not here.”
Harper laughed. “How was your night, Grandma? You look like you had fun.”
“I’ll tell you,” Willa started. “The senior center is a lot more fun than you might expect.”
“Oh, yeah?” I sat up.
“Absolutely, Grayson.” Willa turned to me, the smile brightening her face. “Those ladies know how to have a good time. And the homemade Irish cream that Tilley brought was delicious.”
Harper burst out laughing. “Oh, I see. All the fun at the senior center is booze fueled.”
“Harper Bennett.” Willa put her hands on her hips and pretended to look offended. “I’ll have you know that there’s nothing wrong with having a few festive drinks to celebrate the occasion.”
“Oh, Grandma.” Harper put her arms around her grandma in a big hug. “You know I’m teasing.”
“The real question is, did you bring any of that Irish cream home with you?”
“You know I did, Grayson.” Willa winked over Harper’s shoulder in my direction. “Are you staying?”
Again, I felt the flash of need, but it didn’t feel right. Not yet.
“I want to,” I said honestly. “But I think I should probably get home. I promised Quinn I’d make the cinnamon buns for brunch, and I need to get them ready tonight or they won’t be raised enough.
” It wasn’t a lie. Traditionally, I had been in charge of the overnight cinnamon buns for our family Christmas brunch.
Which was why I’d prepared them before heading out earlier.
“But I’ll see you both tomorrow afternoon for dinner. ”
I kissed Willa on the cheek. She gripped my arms and looked me in the eye. “Merry Christmas, Grayson.”
“Merry Christmas, Willa.”
I slipped away, with Harper following me to the back door. “You’re sure you don’t want to stay?”
Nothing sounded better than spending the night in a single bed, the love of my life in my arms. Except maybe knowing that it was finally real.
Finally forever.
My hand slipped into my pocket, my fingers wrapping around the ring box.
For forever, I would wait.
“You know I want to.” I released the box and pulled her close once more, giving her a sweet, slow kiss. “But it’s Christmas. Enjoy it. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Merry Christmas, Grayson.”
“Merry Christmas, Harper.” I let myself hold her eyes for another moment before I saw myself out the back door and into the night.