Page 5 of Caspian (HC Heroes #14)

C as leaned against the side of the garage wall, watching Harper already hard at work dusting off the old desk with a soft cloth and determined sweeps of her hand.

A shaft of sunlight filtered through the open garage door, catching the fine particles in the air like tiny glittering flecks.

He admired her focus, the way her brows furrowed as she examined the desk for its flaws and imperfections, assessing what needed to be fixed.

Beside him, Dale stretched his arms, pretending to yawn. “Well, I think my work here is done,” he said with a wink. “Time for this hired muscle to hit the road.”

Harper glanced up with a grin. “Thanks again.”

“No problem.” Dale slapped his shoulder. “And you’ve got the expert here.” He tilted his head toward Cas. “Besides, it’s probably better if we don’t cramp his style.”

Caspian rolled his eyes. “Don’t listen to him, Harper. He’s just looking for an excuse to get out of work.”

Sadie laughed, patting Dale on the back. “Come on, let’s go grab a coffee. You’ve earned it.”

Dale laughed and gave Harper a two-finger salute. “You two have fun.”

With that, Dale and Sadie left the garage, their playful banter trailing behind them. Cas was glad for the few minutes alone with the beautiful blonde. He watched as she ran her fingers over the carvings of the desk, clearing away the dust and debris.

“This thing’s got some real character,” he said, moving closer to get a better look. “You don’t see craftsmanship like this anymore.”

Harper nodded, her eyes never leaving the desk. “I know, right? I just hope I can do it justice. A little love and elbow grease should bring it back to life.”

He smiled, impressed by her enthusiasm. “I’ve got no doubt you will.”

She looked up at him, her blue eyes catching the light. “So, what’s been going on at the ranch? Any big plans now that you’re back?”

Caspian wasn’t dumb. He noticed how she changed the subject, but he decided to let her.

“There’s always something,” he replied, moving to lean against the workbench, crossing his arms. “Right now, I’m working on a few projects to spruce things up a bit.

We’ve got some charred wood from the barn that burned down a few weeks ago.

I was thinking of repurposing it, maybe for some furniture or something. What are your thoughts?”

Cas had no idea why he’d said all that. Another reason to keep his distance from this woman, except, so far, he was doing a piss-poor job of it.

Harper’s face lit up. “Charred barn wood? That sounds amazing! Yeah, I think you should be able to make something out of it. And if there’s any extra, I’d love to buy some for a few projects.”

“Sure.” He smiled. “There’s plenty. Maybe you can come by and have a look at the house and see where it could go. I’d be happy to hire you to do the work, too.”

Damn. His mouth had done nothing but run wild since she’d shown up.

“Oh, I…sure, I’d be happy to look,” she said, that pretty blush returning to color her cheeks. “I also need to get a truck. Any advice on where to look?”

Cas chuckled. “Actually, you’re in luck. My dad’s looking to sell one of our old trucks at the ranch. It’s in good shape. I think it’d be perfect for you.”

“Really?” Her eyes widened. “Wow. That’s great. Do you think I could look at it soon?”

“Of course,” he replied. “You can take it for a test drive when you come by to check out the wood and my house.”

As they talked, Harper tugged at one of the desk drawers, which seemed stuck. She frowned, giving it a few more tugs. “Dang. This drawer won’t budge.”

“Let me help,” Cas offered, stepping closer. He grasped the drawer’s handle beside her hand, their fingers brushing for a moment. He ignored the jolt of electricity that shot up his arm and focused on the task. “On three, we’ll both pull. One, two, three…”

They pulled in unison, and the drawer creaked and groaned, finally giving way with a loud pop. The sudden release sent them both stumbling back a step. He immediately reached out and set a hand on her back to steady her as they caught their balance.

“We got it,” she said, immediately moving away from his touch, then she frowned at the empty drawer space. “What’s that?”

Cas noticed the change in her expression and followed her gaze, then he watched as Harper carefully reached inside, pulling out a small, leather-bound book, its edges worn and faded with age.

She stared at it with a mixture of curiosity and awe while running her fingers over the cracked leather cover, brushing off the dust.

“It looks like a diary. My great-grandmother’s, maybe?”

Cas felt a surge of interest. “A diary? Hidden in the desk?”

Harper nodded. “I never knew she kept one,” she replied, her voice soft with wonder. “This must have been here for years. Decades, even.”

More than curious, he leaned closer, peering at the faded handwriting on the cover. “That’s pretty amazing.”

She traced the edges of the cover with her fingers as if feeling the history within its pages.

“I wonder what’s inside.” She hesitated, glancing up at him. “I’m almost scared to open it. What if it’s something…I don’t know, something private?”

Cas sent her a reassuring smile. “It’s your family’s history, Harper. You’ve got every right to read it. Maybe there’s something important in there, something she wanted someone to find one day.”

The beauty nodded slowly, as if convincing herself. “You’re right. Maybe there’s a reason it found its way to me now.”

Inhaling, she carefully opened the diary to the first page, her fingers gentle on the fragile paper. The handwriting was elegant but shaky in places, like someone had written it with emotion behind every word. Harper began to read aloud softly, her voice almost reverent.

“April 12th, 1937. Today, I saw something I wish I hadn’t. Something that will stay with me forever.”

She paused, glancing up at Cas, her brow furrowed. “What do you think she’s talking about?”

He lifted a shoulder. “I’m not sure. Could be a number of things, but it sounds like there’s a story in there. Something she needed to tell, even if it was just to herself.”

“True.” Harper nodded, turning another page. “I guess I’ll have to read through it, see what she left behind. And I need to show it to Sadie, too.”

Cas shifted closer, feeling a strange sense of connection to the moment. “Maybe it’s a good thing you found this desk. Sometimes, things have a way of resurfacing when they’re needed most.”

Harper looked at him, and for a moment, their eyes held, a quiet understanding passing between them. She seemed to realize it too and quickly looked away, clearing her throat.

“So, about that truck,” she said, once again, changing the subject. “You really think it’s something I could work with?”

He smiled, going along with the shift in topic. “Definitely. According to my father, it’s a sturdy and reliable vehicle. Could be just what you need.”

“Great,” Harper replied, nodding. “I’d love to see it. Maybe tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow works for me,” Cas replied, still watching her with a hint of curiosity. “I’ll be around all day. Just swing by the ranch when you’re ready. Or why don’t I pick you up around ten?”

He felt an odd pull toward her, something about her that made him want to know more, to stay longer. She was a puzzle, and he’d always loved a good challenge.

“Thanks, that’d be great.” She smiled that shy but determined look he was beginning to recognize. “I appreciate all your help.”

“Anytime,” he replied softly. “I mean it.”

They both stood there for a moment, the air between them charged with something unspoken.

Cas felt that familiar tug again, a mix of curiosity and attraction, and he knew he’d have to tread carefully.

Harper was clearly dealing with a lot, and the last thing he wanted was to complicate things for her—or for himself.

Her attention returned to the diary. Cas watched Harper turn the pages, her eyes scanning each line as if the words might reveal some hidden secret about her great-grandmother.

He couldn’t help but admire the intensity of her focus, the way her brow furrowed just a little and her lips parted in concentration.

She had this energy about her. A quiet strength that seemed to pull him in, making him want to stand a little closer, to know a little more.

He’d known Harper for years, not very well, but still, seeing her like this, so absorbed in something so personal, made him feel like he was glimpsing a side of her he hadn’t seen before.

He knew she was tough, having sensed she’d gone through hell back in Michigan.

But there was something else too—something softer, more vulnerable, that caught him off guard.

He found himself wondering what it would be like to really know her, beyond just the surface.

“So,” he began, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled over them, “what do you think you’ll do with it?”

Harper looked up, a little startled, as if she’d forgotten he was there for a moment. “With the diary?”

“Yeah,” he replied, leaning against the workbench again. “You going to read the whole thing? Try to piece together whatever happened?”

“I think so.” Harper closed the diary gently, holding it in her hands like it was something fragile and precious. “I mean, I’m curious, and it feels like…I don’t know…like maybe I’m meant to know. Maybe there’s something in here that will help me understand her better—or even myself.”

Cas nodded, understanding more than he let on. “Makes sense. Sometimes the past has a way of shedding light on the present. Could be that this diary found its way to you for a reason.”

Harper smiled, and he felt a small thrill at having caused it. “Never pegged you for a philosopher,” she teased.

“Nah.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “Just a guy who’s had too much time to think lately. But seriously, if you need help with any of it—or if you just want someone to talk to—you know where to find me.”

Damn, there went his mouth again, speaking without permission.

“Thanks,” she said softly. “I might just take you up on that.”

His heart skipped a crazy beat at the way she looked at him, like she was seeing him in a new light. Maybe it was just his imagination, but there was a softness there, a hint of trust. He liked that. A lot.

“So,” she continued, a little more brightly, “tell me more about this truck. You think it’s really worth the investment?”

He grinned, glad to see her mood lighten. “Absolutely. It’s got good bones, and my dad’s taken decent care of it. Plus, it’s a classic. Lots of character. I think it’d suit you.”

“Lots of character, huh?” Harper replied with a smirk. “Is that code for ‘It’s a bit of a fixer-upper’?”

He chuckled. “Maybe a little, but that’s part of the fun. And hey, you like a good project, right? Besides, if you’re handy with furniture, a truck should be a piece of cake.”

Harper laughed, the sound light and easy, and an unexpected warmth rushed through him. “Pretty sure furniture and trucks are two totally different skill sets. But, okay, you’ve sold me. Worst-case scenario, I learn a bit more about trucks.”

“Roger that,” Cas said, still smiling. “And I’m pretty good with my hands, so if there’s anything wrong with it, I’ll fix it before you buy it.”

She continued to stare at him with warmth in her eyes. “Thanks.”

He watched as she turned back to the desk, her fingers tracing the carvings along the sides.

She seemed lost in thought again, and for a moment, he considered reaching out, maybe saying something more.

But he held back, sensing she needed a bit of space to process everything—the diary, the move, maybe even him.

But then, without warning, Harper glanced over her shoulder and caught him watching her. He didn’t look away. Instead, he stood his ground and held her gaze.

“What?” she asked, a hint of amusement in her tone.

“Just thinking.” He shrugged “It’s nice having you around again. I mean, really around.”

Her gaze softened. “It’s nice to be around. Feels different. Good different.”

“Good,” Cas echoed, feeling a strange movement in his chest. He cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. “And hey, maybe we’ll even find out what’s hidden in that diary. Could be a real adventure.”

“Yeah,” she agreed, a spark of excitement lighting up her eyes. “An adventure…I could use one of those.”

Not him. Hell, he’d had enough for several lifetimes.

But none with such a beautiful, brave, sweet woman.

Cas nodded, his smile widening. “I think we both could.”

He didn’t know what the next days would bring, whether they’d dig up secrets from the past or uncover something new between them. But as he stood there with Harper, surrounded by dust and history, he felt a rare sense of anticipation—a feeling he hadn’t felt in a long time.

And maybe, just maybe, that was a good thing.