Page 30 of Caspian (HC Heroes #14)
C as stood on the porch, leaning against the railing and watching as their friends and family filled the backyard of the ranch.
Laughter and lively chatter floated through the air, mingling with the scent of grilled burgers and fresh-cut grass.
Harper was in the center of it all, her smile brighter than the sun as she moved from one conversation to the next.
She’d come a long way from the woman who shied away from crowds when she first arrived in Harland two-and-a-half months ago.
Seeing her so happy, surrounded by the people who meant the most to them, sent a round of warmth to his chest.
“Not bad for a little get-together, huh?” Dale said, joining Cas with an iced tea in hand and his deputy uniform on his back. He nodded toward Harper, who was playfully arguing with Sadie, Lori, and Loni about which donuts were the best.
“Yeah, not bad at all,” Cas replied, his gaze fixed on Harper. “She deserves it. After everything, she deserves to have a day that’s just about her.”
Dale chuckled. “And look at you, Mr. Sentimental. Who would’ve thought?”
Cas smirked. “Just don’t tell anyone. Got a reputation to uphold.”
They both laughed, the kind of easy, familiar sound that came after months of tension finally easing.
He glanced around, taking in the sight of his dad, Sam, laughing with CeCe by his side, while Gabe and Mac debated something over by the grill, Carter occasionally chiming in with his dry wit.
Cooper was showing off some ridiculous dance moves with his little girl, egged on by RJ and Dean, and even Will Johnson, Jr. was caught up in the spirit of celebration.
The older man from the library had been helpful the past few months and had become quite close to Harper and Sadie.
“By the way,” Dale said, taking a sip of his iced tea, “Gabe told me they officially wrapped up everything with George Anderson and his crew. The guy spilled his guts. Now the other families are scrambling, trying to save face, but it’s over.”
Satisfaction warmed his blood. “Good. It’s about time. They’ve dodged justice for too long.”
“And now they get to spend the next few years in court,” Dale added with a grin. “Or, possibly prison.”
“Good,” he grumbled. “They deserve it. And that asshole in the garage is lucky I’d left my gun in the apartment, or he would’ve been dead.”
Cas wouldn’t have hesitated to inflict a kill shot.
“No, you are,” his brother corrected. “Because without his confession, we probably would still be trying to gather evidence to convict George Anderson.”
True.
He nodded. “Like I said, good thing I didn’t have my gun.”
But the memory of Harper shielding him from a bullet as she’d tackled him to the ground would forever haunt him.
Inhaling, he gave his head a mental shake and focused on Harper, watching her laugh with her friends. And just like that, his tension instantly dissipated.
“You know, she’s been talking about writing a book about all of this,” he said, turning his attention to his brother. “Mary’s story, her own journey—she wants to make sure it’s all told the right way. Not just for her, but for everyone who didn’t get their story heard.”
Dale raised his eyebrows. “That’s big. But if anyone can do it, it’s Harper.”
Cas glanced back at Harper, who was now holding a cupcake with a single candle on it, everyone gathered around her singing a slightly off-key rendition of “Happy Birthday.” She laughed, her eyes meeting Cas’ across the yard, and he felt that familiar pull in his chest, the one that had been there from the start.
“Excuse me,” he said, patting Dale on the shoulder. “Got a birthday girl to spoil.”
She’d been living with him since the day of the attack in the garage. Well, technically, since the notes had started to arrive. He never wanted to be separated from her, and the fact she felt the same had made it natural for him to ask her move in.
The rest was eight amazing weeks of heaven, and they weren’t looking back.
He made his way over to Harper just as she blew out her candle, cheers erupting from their friends. She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with joy. “Got your wish?” he asked, slipping an arm around her waist.
“Maybe,” she teased, leaning into him. “But it’s not really a wish if it’s already coming true.”
He squeezed her gently, pressing a quick kiss to her temple. “I’ve got one more thing for you,” he said, leading her away from the crowd and toward the front of the house. Harper followed, curiosity lighting her eyes as they rounded the corner and stopped near the driveway.
There, just to the left, was a spot Cas had cleared and prepped over the past few days, grateful she never questioned why. And a half hour ago, he snuck out here to prepare her gift.
A big red bow was attached to a sign that read: “Happy Birthday, Harper. Future Site of Harper’s Workshop.”
She halted and gasped, her hands flying to her mouth as she stared at the sign, then at Cas. “Are you serious?” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
“Completely serious,” he replied. “You’ve been commuting to Sadie’s garage all these weeks, so I figured it’s about time you have a place of your own. Somewhere you can build, create, do whatever makes you happy.”
She turned to him, her eyes shimmering. “Cas, this is perfect. I don’t even know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything,” he murmured, brushing away a stray tear that rolled down her cheek. “I love you, Harper. More than anything. And I just want you to have everything you’ve ever dreamed of.”
She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. “I love you too, Cas,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “Thank you for this, but you know all I need is you. You are everything to me. Everything.”
He drew back to tilt her chin and catch her gaze. “And you’re everything to me, too. But you deserve all of this, Harper. A happy life. And I’m going to be right here, building it with you, every step of the way.”
They shared a kiss, sweet and lingering, the kind that spoke of promises and futures and all the things they had yet to build together. When they finally pulled apart, she laughed, wiping more happy tears from her face.
“Guess I’d better start sketching some plans,” she said, her smile wide.
He chuckled, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as they turned back toward the house.
“Whatever you want, you’re going to get.”
Anything for his angel.
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