All Chapters of Your Heart & Mine: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

In the mountains, spring worked diligently to nudge winter aside. Each passing day, the sun gained strength, its rays growing warmer. Wyck wiped sweat from his brow as he hoisted another board into place on the new daycare center framework. Though he and Harper remained on uncertain terms, he found himself drawn back week after week to help on this project. The physical labor gave him a sense of purpose, and seeing the building take shape felt like helping rebuild his damaged soul.As he worked, Wyck replayed his last conversation with Harper in his mind. Her hesitation at his dinner invitation a couple of weeks ago had stung, but he understood she still had trouble trusting him after what he'd done. He knew he had to be patient, focusing his energy on demonstrating through actions, not just words, that he was committed to making amends. It was a tough pill to swallow, however. He was not a patient man and his need for Harper seemed to grow rather than diminish with every passing day.

Joy flooded Wyck's face at her admission. Ever so slowly, Wyck lowered his head, giving Harper time to pull away if she chose. When she didn't, he captured her lips in a tender kiss. Harper melted into him, the awkward tension of recent weeks dissolving.As the kiss deepened, she opened for him with a sigh. Wyck's tongue found hers, slowly at first, then more demanding. One large hand slid up to cradle Harper's head while the other pressed firmly into the small of her back, molding her soft curves against the hard planes of his muscular body.Harper speared her fingers through his dark waves, anchoring him to her. The kiss obliterated everything except this moment. When Wyck nibbled at her full lower lip, then soothed it with his tongue, Harper trembled, heat building.Sliding both hands into her hair, Wyck dislodged the clip holding it loosely in place. When her honey-blonde tresses tumbled around her shoulders in waves, he tunneled his fingers through the silken strands, angling her

"Oh my!" Harper's hands flew to cover her mouth in surprise as she walked out onto the deck and took in the scene.A round table covered in a thick, white tablecloth sat there where only lounge chairs had been before. A beautiful centerpiece of hydrangeas and baby's breath sat in the middle and the table was set with silver and crystal. A strange man in a black shirt and pants pulled out a chair for her, "Ma'am?""What is all this?" she asked as she took the seat offered to her."This is just the beginning of all the things I want to give you." Wyck appeared behind her looking insanely handsome. His white linen pants were loose and his matching shirt was partially unbuttoned and had the sleeves rolled up to showcase his muscular, tan forearms. A little shudder of delight ran through her. When had forearms become sexy?Wyck took a seat and nodded at the man who had pulled out Harper's chair. He silently disappeared back into the house. "How did you get all this done without me knowing?

Cam followed right on the trooper's bumper flying down I-81 toward Roanoke. The flashing red and blue strobe lights hypnotized Harper. She was numb. And cold. So cold. All she could think of was the words Cam had spoken 'There's been an accident'. She couldn't really process anything after that. An accident. A single tear tracked down her cheek."He's going to be fine, Love. You've got to believe that." Cam gripped her hand as if he could ground her in reality by his touch alone. "He's young and strong."Harper didn't respond. Her hand lay limp in his grasp. She stared straight ahead."Harp? We're almost there. You just hang on, okay?" Brenna said from the back seat. Her voice wavered just a bit, but she wasn't crying any longer. "Elizabeth is bringing Mama. We'll all be here for you."Cam met Brenna's eyes for a moment in the rear-view mirror, silently worrying about what would happen to Harper if Wyck didn't make it. She would never forget the Trooper's calm, matter of fact voice as

Over the next hours, Wyck's parents and Harper shared stories from their childhood and their lives since leaving Carrington Ridge. Though he called often, Wyck had rarely ventured back to the town he'd grown up in. He'd even moved Marjorie and Hank to a new home overlooking the New River several years ago. Hearing these missing pieces, Harper felt even closer to the complex man she loved.Late that night after Wyck's parents reluctantly went to the hotel to rest, Harper dozed off still holding his hand. Around dawn, she gradually awoke to the feeling of fingers lightly brushing her hair. Disoriented, her eyes flew open.Wyck was watching her, his grey eyes finally open but still dulled with pain and medication. Harper jolted upright. "Wyck! You...you're awake!" He gave a faint, lopsided smile around the oxygen mask that had lived on his face since they had taken him off the ventilator. His fingers continued weakly combing through the length of her hair.Tears of awe and relief flooded