“So, tell me more about this barn wood,” she said, eager to steer the conversation toward their project.
Cas grinned. “It’s from an old barn that burned down last month. It was a shame about the fire, but the wood that survived has a great charred look. I thought you might like it for one of your projects. And possibly something I could have at the ranch.”
She nodded. “Sounds perfect. I can already picture it.”
Before long, they turned down a long dirt driveway lined with oak trees. Harper’s eyes widened as the ranch came into view—a sprawling piece of land, dotted with pastures, an outbuilding, and a stable in the distance where two horses grazed nearby. A beautiful farmhouse-style two-story with an inviting front porch was nestled at the center like the heart of it all.
“It’s beautiful,” she breathed, genuinely charmed by the sight. “You grew up here?”
He nodded. “Yep. This has been home for as long as I can remember, and in the family for a few generations.”
They pulled up to what remained of the burned-out structure, and Harper hopped out, immediately drawn to the pile of wood stacked against the side. She ran her fingers over the rough surfaces, admiring the unique texture and the way the charred edges told a story of their own.
“I love it,” she said, turning to Cas with a smile. “There’s so much character in this wood. I can definitely work with it.”
Warmth filled his gaze. “Glad to hear it. I was hoping you’d like it.”
He led her toward the house, giving her a quick tour of the property as he pointed out things along the way. Harper found herself falling a little in love with the place—the rustic charm, theopen spaces, the sense of history that seemed to seep from every corner. When they reached the house, Cas paused at the front door.
“Before we go in, I should warn you,” he said with a hint of a smile. “It’s still a bit of a bachelor pad. I haven’t really had time to make it feel…mine yet.”
Harper chuckled. “I’m sure it’s fine. Let’s see it.”
Inside, the house was cozy but definitely had a masculine feel—dark woods, leather furniture, and a few hunting trophies mounted on the walls. Cas led her up the stairs to the master bedroom, and she noticed he seemed a little hesitant.
“This was my dad’s room,” he admitted. “Feels a bit strange moving in here now.”
She nodded and glanced around when he finally opened the door. The room was spacious, with high ceilings and a large window overlooking the pasture, but it did have a certain heaviness to it. The walls were painted a dull beige, and the space lacked furniture. She had to assume his dad had taken it with him to his new house next to Sadie’s.
“You know,” she said thoughtfully, “I think a feature wall with some of that barn wood would look amazing in here. It would change the whole vibe. Give it a fresh start.”
Cas’s eyes lit up. “You think so?”
“Absolutely,” Harper replied, already picturing the transformation in her mind. “And while I’m at it, I could build you a dining room table out of the wood too. It’d tie the whole house together.”
A smile lit his eyes. “I love that idea. I’d really appreciate it.”
She grinned back at him, pleased to see him so enthusiastic. “Great. I can’t wait to get started.”
“Me, too,” he said, then led her back outside, over to the far side of the house, where an old blue Ford truck was parked.
Harper’s heart hiccupped at the sight of it. It was a classic but not so old that it wouldn’t have air conditioning. It was sturdy, with a few dents, but she could already imagine herself driving it, hauling wood and furniture for her projects.
“It’s been in the family awhile,” he said, watching her reaction closely. “But my dad’s ready to let it go.”
Harper ran her hands over the hood, loving the feel of the warm metal beneath her fingertips. “I love it,” she said, turning to him with a smile. “What’s he asking for it?”
Cas shrugged. “Honestly, not much. He just wants it to go to someone who’ll appreciate it.”
Harper blinked, genuinely surprised when Cas named the price. It was far less than she’d expected, almost too good to be true. “Are you serious?” she asked, her eyes wide. “Is it missing an engine? Or is the tranny about to go or something, because that’s a steal.”
He nodded, a grin tugging at his lips. “He’s serious. And if you like it, it’s yours.”
She didn’t hesitate. “I’ll take it,” she said, feeling a rush of excitement. “Tell your dad he’s got a deal.”
Cas chuckled, clearly pleased with her decision. “We both will when I take you back home. He’ll be happy to hear it.”
A sudden burst of happiness washed through Harper. She’d come here hoping to find some good wood, maybe a truck, but she hadn’t expected to feel so at home, or to find herself looking forward to spending more time with Cas.
