Page 6 of Caspian (HC Heroes #14)

H arper settled into the corner of her couch, the worn leather soft under her legs, and opened the diary again.

Sadie sat beside her, leaning in to get a better look.

The small lamp on the side table cast a warm glow over the pages, highlighting the faded ink that had survived all these years.

Harper could still smell the faint scent of aged paper and dust mingling with the comforting aroma of the tea Sadie had made them.

“This is so exciting!” Her cousin smiled, settling down next to her. “I can’t believe Great-Grandma Mary’s diary was just sitting there all that time.”

Harper nodded, her fingers tracing the edges of the fragile pages. “I know. I was definitely shocked too. I mean, who knows how long it’s been hidden in there? It feels like it was meant to be found now.”

Sadie smiled. “I agree. It’s like our great-grandmother’s reaching out to you from the past. What have you read so far?”

Harper flipped through a few pages, stopping at one entry that had caught her eye earlier. “I haven’t read much yet, just the first couple of entries. But here’s one that really stood out.” She began to read aloud:

“May 5th, 1937. I find myself unable to sleep again tonight. The images haunt me—the fire, the shouts, the confusion. I thought time would dull the edges of the memories, but instead, they grow sharper with each passing day. I wonder if I’ll ever feel at peace again…”

Her heart rocked in her chest as it had the first time she’d read it. God, she knew exactly how her great-grandmother had felt. And it was awful. She wished the poor woman hadn’t had to go through whatever had happened.

Sadie rubbed her arms. “Wow. That sounds intense. What do you think she’s talking about?”

“I’m not sure,” she replied. “I guess there was some kind of tragedy she witnessed or maybe was involved in. It makes me want to know more, but at the same time, I’m almost afraid of what I’ll find.”

By rights, she could’ve read it all by now, but she’d deliberately put it aside and worked on the desk instead.

Understanding warmed her cousin’s gaze. “I get that. It’s like diving into someone else’s pain, and that can be heavy. But maybe there’s something in here that will help you make sense of things…or at least connect with her in a way you never did before. In a way none of us but you could.”

She nodded. “Yeah, maybe. I guess I just have to keep reading and see where it takes me.”

Sadie glanced at her watch and sighed. “I hate to cut this short, but Dale and I are headed out for a late dinner and some dancing at the Tex Pub.”

The Texas Republic was a local honkytonk with amazing food, from what she’d heard from the twins. And their husbands. And Dale.

Harper smiled. “Sounds like you’ll have a great time. Go on and enjoy. I’ll be fine here.”

Sadie got up, but not before giving Harper a quick hug. “Are you sure you don’t want to come? It could be fun. Plus, I think Cas and a few of the others might be there.”

Cas?

Then definitely not. The last thing Harper needed was to socialize in a fun setting with the gorgeous guy. He already interfered with her pulse the way it was. Nope. Keeping things light and impersonal was important.

“Nah.” She shook her head. “I think I’ll stay in tonight. I’ve got this diary to keep me company, and besides, I’m not up for a crowd just yet.”

Although she did want to try their burger and fries. According to Lori, they were the best she’d ever tasted.

“All right.” Sadie raised an eyebrow. “But tomorrow, you’re coming to the bakery for lattes and donuts, no excuses.”

Harper hesitated and tipped her chin. “Actually, Cas is picking me up at ten. He wants to show me the barn wood at the ranch, and I might do a little job for him with it. Also, he mentioned they have a truck they’re looking to sell, and I thought I might check it out.”

“That’s great.” Sadie’s eyes sparkled. “Sounds like someone’s getting pretty cozy with Cas.”

She eye-rolled her cousin but couldn’t stop the snort that escaped. “It’s not like that. I just need a truck, and he’s got one. And I could use some barn wood for a few projects.”

Sadie gave her a playful nudge. “Uh-huh, sure. And he just happens to be the one offering you all these things?”

“Yeah. How crazy is that?” Harper’s cheeks heated. “I’m serious, though, Sadie. I’m not ready for anything like that. I’d rather spend my time refurbishing the desk and reading Great-Grandma Mary’s diary.”

Her cousin studied her a moment then shook her head. “Liar. I saw the way you looked at him earlier. You like him, even if you won’t admit it.”

“Maybe.” She shrugged, trying to play it cool. “I think he’s okay. But it doesn’t matter. I’ve got other things to focus on right now.”

“All right, whatever you say.” Sadie chuckled, clearly unconvinced. “Just promise me you won’t shut yourself off completely, okay? It’s good to have a little fun, you know.”

Harper nodded, appreciating her cousin’s concern. “I know. I’m just taking things one day at a time. Just moving down here was a big step. I want to get settled and some work rolling in.”

“Fair enough.” Sadie smiled warmly. “But please keep an open mind. Cas is a good guy, and he seems genuinely interested in helping you out.”

“I know he is,” Harper admitted. “And I’ll try.”

But not too hard.

Her cousin leaned in and gave her another hug. “Good. Now, enjoy your evening, and if you find anything juicy in that diary, text me immediately.”

“You got it.” Harper laughed.

With that, Sadie nodded and headed for the door, leaving Harper alone in the quiet of her apartment.

She looked down at the diary in her hands, her thoughts swirling.

She wasn’t sure what she’d find in the pages ahead, but she knew one thing for sure—something about this felt right, like a path she was meant to walk.

Her thoughts drifted back to Cas, and her pulse immediately jumped.

Darn it. A strange mix of anticipation and nervousness rushed through her at the idea of spending more time with him tomorrow.

He was easy to be around, and there was something about his presence that made her feel both calm and a little off-balance at the same time.

She shook her head, attempting to clear her thoughts. No , she told herself firmly. You’re not ready for that. Focus on the desk, the diary. That’s what matters right now.

But even as she tried to convince herself, she couldn’t help the small smile that crept onto her lips. Maybe Sadie was right. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to let herself feel something, even if she kept it to herself.

For now, though, she turned back to the diary, eager to see what secrets her great-grandmother might reveal next.

Harper settled back into the couch, her legs tucked beneath her, and carefully turned the delicate pages of the diary until she found another entry that piqued her interest. The handwriting was elegant but slightly hurried, as if her great-grandmother had been in a rush to capture her thoughts before they slipped away.

“June 3rd, 1937. The nightmares won’t stop.

Every time I close my eyes, I see the flames, hear the screams. I try to tell myself it wasn’t my fault, but the guilt is like a weight around my neck, dragging me down.

Today, I walked by the old church again, the one where it all happened.

I could swear I saw someone watching me from the shadows, but when I turned to look, there was no one there.

Maybe it’s just my mind playing tricks on me… or maybe someone knows the truth.”

Harper paused, her heart quickening. What truth was her great-grandmother talking about? She could feel a cold shiver run down her spine at the mention of the nightmares and the sense of being watched. The entry felt heavy, loaded with emotion and fear.

Still, she read on, her eyes scanning the words with growing curiosity.

“I need to find out who else was there that night, who else saw what I saw. If I don’t, I fear I’ll never sleep peacefully again. I can’t keep living like this, in constant fear of shadows and secrets. I must know the truth, no matter the cost.”

She closed the diary, a chill settling over her. Whatever had happened to her great-grandmother was more than just a passing incident. There was a mystery here, one that seemed to be pulling her deeper with every word she read.

As her fingers lingered on the worn leather cover, her heart was racing, and she could feel a familiar tightness creeping into her chest. The vivid description of her great-grandmother’s nightmares, the fear, the screams, the guilt—they were all too close to her own memories, her own sleepless nights.

She took a deep breath and set the diary down, deciding it was enough for tonight.

As much as she wanted to keep reading, she knew better than to invite her own nightmares to return.

She needed rest, and clarity. Tomorrow, she’d dive in again, but for now, she needed peace, so she headed back downstairs to strip some more varnish off the desk.

***

T he next morning, Harper stood by the window of her apartment, glancing at the clock for the third time in as many minutes.

Cas was due any moment, and despite herself, she felt a flicker of nervous anticipation.

She was excited about the day ahead. The promise of new projects and the chance to explore a little more of what Harland County had to offer.

And, if she was honest with herself, the chance to spend more time with Cas.

A rumble of an engine outside pulled her attention, and she saw Cas’ truck pulling up. She grabbed her bag and headed out, feeling a little rushed as she stepped into the fresh morning air. Cas hopped out of the truck, flashing that easy smile she was starting to like. A lot.

Too much.

“Good morning,” he greeted. “Ready for a little adventure?”

Harper smiled back. “Yes. Thanks for picking me up.”