"Thanks so much for meeting us," Harper told Jackie, holding out a gloved hand as the woman came toward them on the sidewalk, carefully picking her way across the concrete in four-inch heels. Harper tried not to wince watching the woman dodge icy patches covered in rock salt. Who in their right mind would wear those heels on a day like this?Jackie smiled brightly and gave a little wave as she looked up and saw Harper and her sisters waiting for her. "Brrrr, it's colder than a well digger's behind in January, idn't it?" Her mountain accent left no doubt she was a local despite her professional city-like outfit. "It is," Brenna agreed, chaffing her hands together. "But we're still excited to see the properties."The realtor's smile broadened. "Well, I just happened to turn the heat on last night so you can take your time and not freeze to death.""That was really thoughtful, Jackie," Harper said, watching the woman fit a key into a heavy oak door that opened directly into a steep stai
He'd swallowed hard when he saw her walking toward him, her red coat unbuttoned and flapping in the wind behind her like a sail. When he saw her grab at it and try to wrap it around herself, he suppressed a smile. It had been all Wyck could do not to jump up and go to her when he'd noticed her in front of the building down the block, even with the British twat at her elbow. Instead, he casually raised a hand in greeting. Like he was so cool and unaffected. Sure.A distant part of his brain made polite conversation as they sat next to each other on the bench, but most of him studied her. Her cheeks were pink with the cold, and her hair was a riot around her face having mostly escaped the confines of the clip she had tried to tame it with. He clenched his fists to avoid the need to push it behind her ear as he longed to do. His gut clenched a little when he saw the wariness in her eyes. If he could only see that desire and openness in them again.His attention snapped back to her words
At six-thirty sharp, Wyck pulled up to the Carrington house, his palms damp on the steering wheel. He couldn't remember ever being this nervous, even trying to impress Harper as a teen. Tonight felt momentous. He had to rebuild her trust in him. Drawing a deep breath, he walked up and rang the ornate doorbell. It felt strange standing on the front porch, waiting at the door. He'd never done it before. From the first time he'd come to the Carrington's, he'd entered through the kitchen doors in the back like the family. Standing in front of these heavy oak doors with their detailed scrollwork made a lump form in Wyck's gut. Picking up Harper here highlighted how much had changed.Just as Wyck was reaching to ring the bell again, the door opened to reveal Harper. She was breathtaking in a simple emerald sweater and jeans, her blonde waves flowing over her shoulders. She gave him a tense smile."You look beautiful," he said sincerely."Thanks." A pretty blush colored her cheeks when she
Wyck was happy with the progress he was seeing on the community center and the other projects he had taken on in Carrington Ridge. He was meeting regularly with businesses and crafting proposals to expand the revitalization of Main Street alongside Harper and her sisters. The town was happily on board with the renovations and excited about the future. While Elizabeth was proving to be a huge asset to reconfiguring spaces, Brenna had taken a larger role in working with the tourist board for the county as well. Harper managed it all with grace and efficiency.The weak winter sunlight filtered through the plastic sheeting covering the open frames of the community center project failed to provide much warmth, but Wyck hardly noticed the chill. He was focused intently on the construction plans laid out on the makeshift table in what would soon be the new community center's gathering hall. "Brad, I want to bump up the insulation rating if we can," he directed his foreman. "With those new
The next afternoon, Harper and her sisters toured downtown renovations. At the clinic, hammering could be heard inside."It will be done in a few weeks," Elizabeth said excitedly. "Just cosmetic updates mostly."Inside, a worker painting trim greeted them. "Go on and look around if you want."While her sisters admired paint colors, Harper thanked the man. "Having a clinic again is going to mean so much."He nodded. "Happy to help. Tell Mr. Ward we're working hard on his new 'secret' project as well." He smiled, holding a finger in front of his lips. Harper's brow furrowed but before she could question who Mr. Ward was, Brenna tugged on her sleeve practically bouncing on her toes. "Harp. Miss Lilah is here. She wants us to come look at the new windows and sign that just got installed at her shop."Her puzzlement pushed aside, she followed her sister away from the clinic and across the street. Miss Lilah's shop windows sparkled and the turquoise of the new sign and trim popped against
Harper knocked briskly on the cabin door, rubbing her hands together against the biting chill. Wyck opened it swiftly, breaking into a wide smile at the sight of her."Sorry to drop by unannounced," she said, rushing gratefully into the warmth."You're always welcome here," he assured her, helping remove her coat before drawing her close for a lingering kiss.The clearing of a throat had Harper twisting her head, pulling herself from Wyck's lips, flushed and breathless. A dark-haired man stood awkwardly nearby, files tucked under his arm."Uh, hi there." Harper gave a little uncomfortable wave."Harper, this is my business partner Davis." Wyck gave his friend a pointed look. "He was just leaving. Weren't you, Davis?"Davis shuffled the files and shot out a hand. "Nice to finally meet you, Harper. Wyck's told me a lot about you."Shaking the proffered hand, Harper shot a glance at Wyck. "He has, huh?""You'd better get in touch with that guy about the thing before he goes home, Davis."
Sometime later, Harper awoke, Wyck's heart thumping slowly under her ear. She lay there for several long moments, listening to the beat, lost in her memories of all the times she had woken up in this same position, feeling completely relaxed, sated, and loved. Though she hated to move, her throat was as dry as a desert and she desperately wanted a drink. Slipping ever so carefully from Wyck's arms, she stood and searched for something to wrap around herself to counter the chill in the air. By the moonlight slanting through the large windows of the bedroom, she spied Wyck's shirt, and slipped it over her head. She pulled the fabric of the collar to her nose and sniffed enjoying the pure masculine scent of him that still lingered there. Smiling to herself, she padded to the kitchen on legs that were still a bit shaky, and found a bottle of water in the fridge. Cracking it open, she glanced idly at the paperwork strewn across the table as she sipped.Her eyes caught on the words "Ward
The morning after her disastrous night with Wyck, Harper could barely drag herself from bed. Her head pounded from crying and her heart felt like a lead weight in her chest. All she wanted was to pull the covers over her head and hide from the world.A knock interrupted her despair. Before she could respond, Elizabeth barged in, Brenna on her heels. One look at Harper's ravaged face had Elizabeth swearing under her breath."That bastard Wyck did this, didn't he?" she seethed, sitting next to Harper on the bed. "I knew he couldn't be trusted!"Harper's chin wobbled pathetically as a fresh round of tears threatened."Oh, Harper," Brenna cried, rushing to hug her. "We thought maybe you two had worked things out. What happened?"Haltingly, Harper relayed the previous night's events - how after making love, she'd discovered paperwork proving Wyck owned Ward Development."He lied about everything," Harper finished dully. "He wanted revenge on Daddy and used me to get it.""That snake!" Eliz