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.
Chapter Four
Harper 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 hadfelt. 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.”
