Page 9 of Caspian (HC Heroes #14)

She smiled. “Yeah. It was stuck behind a drawer in her desk that I just started to refurbish.”

“Sounds pretty special,” his father remarked.

She nodded. “It is. Something happened on April 12, 1937. Whatever she went through had to be pretty intense.”

“What do you think it could be?” his dad asked.

Harper shrugged, a small frown creasing her brow. “I don’t know yet, but I want to find out. I feel like maybe if I can understand her story, I might understand my own a little better too.”

He could tell by his father’s fleeting frown that he was confused and curious too. They exchanged a look, and he could also tell they were both in the not the right time to dig further mindset.

Still, her determination sent a pang of admiration trickling through him. Even though the mystery could be triggering for her, she still wanted to know what had happened to her great-grandmother.

“That’s brave of you,” he said quietly.

Again, he wanted to say more but didn’t because of all the people within earshot.

A trace of vulnerability flashed through her eyes. “I guess I just don’t want to keep feeling like I’m stuck in the past, you know? I want to move forward. I need to.”

Yeah, they were definitely going to come back around to this conversation in private.

Cas inhaled as a deep respect for her honesty swelled his chest. “I get that,” he said. “And for what it’s worth, I think you’re already doing a great job of it.”

She looked at him, a little surprised, and then she smiled—a genuine, open smile. “Thanks, Cas. That means a lot.”

They fell into a comfortable silence for a moment. He wanted to help her, to be there for her in whatever way she needed. And maybe, just maybe, he hoped that one day she might let him in a little more.

A few minutes later, they were called back to get started on the title transfer.

As they sat in front of a desk, Harper kept sneaking glances at Cas, her expression contemplative.

He noticed but he didn’t say anything. He could tell she was thinking about something, however, he wasn’t going to push her to talk if she wasn’t ready.

Once the paperwork was signed and the transfer was complete, they stepped back outside into the bright midday sun.

Harper turned to him with a grin. “So, what’s next?”

Cas chuckled. “Well, now that you’ve got a truck, how about we head back to the ranch and start sorting through that barn wood? We can load up the pieces you want to keep, too. You said you had a few ideas for it, right?”

Her beautiful face lit up and stole his breath. “Absolutely. Let’s do it.”

They climbed back into their respective vehicles, and after he took his father home, they drove back to the ranch. Cas enjoyed the sight of Harper following him in her new truck. She handled it like a natural, and more than a smile was stirring.

Actually, it was hot as hell.

He immediately gave his libido orders to cool it, and for the next hour or so, they sorted the barn wood. Harper was enthusiastic, her energy contagious as she chose pieces, envisioning how she’d use them.

“I think this one would be perfect for the feature wall,” she said, holding up a particularly charred piece with a rich, dark grain.

Cas nodded, impressed. “I think you’re right. It’ll look great in the master bedroom.”

He could already tell the feature was going to be warm and inviting, and he knew exactly who he wanted to invite to his room.

Harper glanced at him, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “And for the table, I was thinking of using a mix of lighter and darker pieces, maybe with a live edge. Something rustic but with a modern twist.”

Ignoring his unwanted arousal, Cas grinned. “You’ve got an eye for this stuff, Harper. I trust your instincts.”

“Thanks.” She beamed at him. “I’m really excited to get started.”

They continued working side by side, chatting and laughing as they loaded her wood into the truck.

It was strange. Cas felt more at ease than he had in a long time, enjoying the simple pleasure of good company and productive work.

No adrenaline pumping, rushing in to save hostages, or even hot, wild, pulse-pounding sex.

This was different. This was more. There was something about Harper that made him feel hopeful. Like things might be okay after all. Like living on this ranch was where he was meant to end up.

Once they had everything loaded, Harper dusted off her hands and turned to him with a satisfied smile. “That should do it. Thanks for all your help today.”

He shook his head. “No, thank you. You’ve helped me more than you know.”

“How so?” She eyed him curiously. “I was the one who took up your day.”

He hesitated for a moment, then decided to be honest. “No, you’re the one who made my day. Just by being here. It’s been a while since I felt so at ease with someone.”

Her expression softened, and she reached out, giving his arm a gentle squeeze. “Well, I’m glad I could be that person today.”

His chest tightened, but in a good way. “Me too,” he said quietly.

For several moments, they stood there, the air between them filled with heat and unspoken possibilities.

And because he wanted to pull her close again, to see if that spark between them was real, he held back, shoving his hands into his pockets.

He could wait. He knew instinctively that Harper would be worth it.

Cas expected her to back away and climb into her truck, but she stepped forward instead. His heart rocked, and he held her gaze. There was a soft vulnerability in her eyes, something that spoke of silent fears and uncharted hopes.

She hesitated for a moment, and Cas stopped breathing. The beauty was standing so close, the warmth of her presence was almost palpable.

Come on, baby , he silently urged. You can do it.

Before he even finished that thought, Harper stepped forward, closing the gap between them.

Then she reached up and her fingertips lightly brushed his jaw, and a jolt of electricity coursed through him.

Holding his gaze, she tilted her head, and he could see the flicker of resolve there. A decision made.

Cas held still, not wanting to spook her, letting her take the lead.

And then, with a gentle boldness, she leaned in, her lips finding his in a soft, tentative kiss.

Cas’ heart surged as he responded, his hands moving to rest lightly on her waist, drawing her just a little closer.

The kiss was tender, sweet, and filled with a quiet intensity that spoke volumes.

Need rushed through his body, surging, demanding, but he ignored his needs.

Harper was in control. She was the one to set things in motion. He was following her lead.

He kissed her back, nibbling and tasting, loving the way she was not clutching his shirt while melting against him. No woman had ever kissed him this way before, like he was more than a quick, hot romp. Like he meant something to her.

When they finally pulled back, Cas set his forehead against hers, working to find his damn footing because the woman had just knocked him on his ass. Harper’s breath mingled with his, and he could feel the flutter of her heartbeat against his chest.

“That was nice,” she whispered, a shy smile on her lips.

Cas responded with a grin. “Yeah,” he murmured, his voice sounding thick and dazed to his ears. “That was more than nice.”

She drew back, and he watched her expression shift from the warmth of their kiss to a flicker of uncertainty. Worry clouded her eyes, like she was already second-guessing what had just happened.

“I—uh, I’m sorry,” Harper stammered, a flush creeping up her cheeks as she quickly turned away and climbed into her truck. “I shouldn’t have…”

Before Cas could say anything, she started the engine and drove off, leaving him standing there. But Cas was smiling, a quiet confidence settling in his chest. He knew, deep down, that Harper felt what he did. That kiss was no mistake.

And now, he was more determined than ever to prove it to her.