Page 12 of Caspian (HC Heroes #14)

Releasing him, she rose to her feet. Contentment washed over her as she glanced at the sun dipping lower in the sky, casting a golden hue over the ranch. This place was paradise, but it was time to head home. Still, part of her was reluctant to leave the easy comfort she’d found here with Cas.

“Guess I should get going,” she said, with a sigh. “Thanks for the day. It was exactly what I needed. Fruitful, delicious, great company, and to open up, I guess.”

He nodded, his smile warm and genuine. “Anytime, Harper. I mean it.”

They walked together toward her truck, the comfortable silence between them underlined by the quiet sounds of the ranch—crickets starting their evening song and the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze.

As they reached her truck, Cas turned to her, his gaze lingering on her face.

For a moment, neither of them moved, the air between them charged with something that had her heart beats thudding in her ears.

Then he stepped closer, his hand gently cupping her face.

Harper’s breath hitched and her pulse galloped as she met his gaze.

He hesitated for just a moment, his thumb brushing lightly against her skin, and then he leaned in, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that was soft but insistent.

Harper responded immediately, sliding her hands up his chest to wrap around his neck as she let herself get lost in the feel of him, and the warmth, the steady strength that seemed to anchor her in place.

The kiss deepened, and Harper felt the rest of the world fall away.

Her past, her work, the diary—all of it disappeared in the space of her irregular heartbeats.

It was just them, the soft press of his lips and the way his hands held her like she was something precious.

Then it changed, amped up, and she eagerly responded, kissing him back, harder, hungrier, wanting, needing more.

When they finally broke for air, she was panting and clutching his shirt, and she couldn’t help but smile at the way Cas’s eyes seemed to linger on her, as if he were memorizing every detail.

The moment was magic. He was magic, and she was the luckiest woman in the world to have his attention. She’d never felt so much from just a kiss before.

“That was…wow,” she said between breaths.

He smiled and traced her lower lip with his thumb. “It certainly was.”

Cas kissed her forehead then reached behind her to open her door. But then he stiffened, and his expression shifted from warm to alert. “Harper, what’s this?” he asked, picking up the envelope with her great-grandmother’s photo and the warning note half spilled onto the seat.

Shoot.

She’d meant to tell him but forgot. Her chest tightened. “I found it in my truck when I left the bakery this morning.” She took the envelope from him and pulled out the contents the rest of the way and showed him the photo of her great-grandmother and the cryptic note.

Cas’ jaw tightened, and gaze darkened as he read the message. “Why didn’t you tell me about this sooner?” he asked, his voice edged with concern.

Harper bit her lip as guilt rippled through her. “I’m sorry. I meant to, but I guess I forgot once I got here and saw you. Everything just felt so normal for a bit.”

He blew out a breath and shoved his free hand through his hair. “This isn’t something you can just brush off. Whoever left this is trying to scare you, and they’re obviously watching you.”

She nodded, but her resolve hardened, and she drew away from his touch. “I know, but I’m not going to let them intimidate me, Cas. And I’m definitely not dragging you into this. I refuse to put you or anyone else in harm’s way.”

He stared at her, his expression a mix of frustration and protectiveness, and she was truly getting a glimpse of the Navy SEAL side of him.

“Harper, this isn’t just about you. If someone’s targeting you, they won’t care who’s in their way.

I want to make sure you’re safe. Let me follow you home, at least.”

Harper shook her head firmly. “No. I can handle this. I won’t risk you or anyone else because of some old family secret.”

He opened his mouth to argue, but she figured the determination in her eyes stopped him.

After a moment, he sighed, pulling out his phone.

“Fine. But I’m calling Dale. I’m not letting you go home without some sort of backup waiting.

And if you have trouble along the way, please promise me you’ll call me. ”

When she nodded, he gave her his number then waited until she added it to her phone before he stepped away.

Then he called his brother and briefly explained the situation.

Harper listened as he told Dale to make sure the security system at her place was armed and to keep an eye out.

Cas hung up, still looking less than thrilled but a little more at ease.

“Dale’s got it covered,” he said, his tone softer now. “But please promise me you’ll be careful.”

Harper nodded, appreciating the concern etched on his face. “I will. And thank you for understanding.”

He reached out to grasp her hand and squeezed. “I just want you safe.”

She squeezed back, then pulled her hand away. “I get it. But I’ve got to do this my way.”

He nodded, though the worry didn’t entirely leave his eyes. “All right. But how about this—I’ll be close by in the morning for my run. I could swing by and pick you up after if you’re up for it. We could head back here, keep working on the wood.”

Harper hesitated, her mind still buzzing with the events of the day. “I’m not sure,” she said honestly, hating to lose her hard-fought independence. “Let’s see how I’m feeling tomorrow. Text me, okay?”

“Okay,” he said. “Whatever you need. I’m here.”

She nodded, then climbed into her truck.

As she drove away, she couldn’t resist glancing at Cas through the rearview mirror, his figure still standing by the side of the driveway, watching her go.

The worry in his eyes lingered in her mind, but so did the warmth of his kiss.

As much as she wanted to keep him safe, Harper couldn’t deny the comfort his presence brought her.

All the more reason not to put him in harm’s way, right?

Her stomach tightened.

She didn’t honestly know if she could keep her distance from him, either.