“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 tooka 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.
***
The 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.”
“Anytime,” he replied, opening the passenger door for her. She climbed in, and he rounded the truck to get back in the driver’s seat.
As they pulled away, she glanced over at him. “So, how far is the ranch?”
“Not far. About ten minutes,” he answered. “It’s a nice drive. You’ll see.”
They fell into an easy rhythm of conversation as he drove out of town onto a country road, passing fields of tall grass and clusters of trees, their branches swaying gently in the breeze.Harper felt herself relax, the calm of the countryside settling into her bones.
