Harper bit her lip as guilt rippled through her. “I’m sorry. I meant to, but I guess I forgot once I got here and saw you. Everything just felt so normal for a bit.”
He blew out a breath and shoved his free hand through his hair. “This isn’t something you can just brush off. Whoever left this is trying to scare you, and they’re obviously watching you.”
She nodded, but her resolve hardened, and she drew away from his touch. “I know, but I’m not going to let them intimidate me, Cas. And I’m definitely not dragging you into this. I refuse to put you or anyone else in harm’s way.”
He stared at her, his expression a mix of frustration and protectiveness, and she was truly getting a glimpse of the Navy SEAL side of him. “Harper, this isn’t just about you. If someone’s targeting you, they won’t care who’s in their way. I want to make sure you’re safe. Let me follow you home, at least.”
Harper shook her head firmly. “No. I can handle this. I won’t risk you or anyone else because of some old family secret.”
He opened his mouth to argue, but she figured the determination in her eyes stopped him. After a moment, he sighed, pulling out his phone. “Fine. But I’m calling Dale. I’m not letting you go home without some sort of backup waiting. And if you have trouble along the way, please promise me you’ll call me.”
When she nodded, he gave her his number then waited until she added it to her phone before he stepped away. Then he called his brother and briefly explained the situation. Harper listened as he told Dale to make sure the security system at her place was armed and to keep an eye out. Cas hung up, still looking less than thrilled but a little more at ease.
“Dale’s got it covered,” he said, his tone softer now. “But please promise me you’ll be careful.”
Harper nodded, appreciating the concern etched on his face. “I will. And thank you for understanding.”
He reached out to grasp her hand and squeezed. “I just want you safe.”
She squeezed back, then pulled her hand away. “I get it. But I’ve got to do this my way.”
He nodded, though the worry didn’t entirely leave his eyes. “All right. But how about this—I’ll be close by in the morning for my run. I could swing by and pick you up after if you’re up for it. We could head back here, keep working on the wood.”
Harper hesitated, her mind still buzzing with the events of the day. “I’m not sure,” she said honestly, hating to lose her hard-fought independence. “Let’s see how I’m feeling tomorrow. Text me, okay?”
“Okay,” he said. “Whatever you need. I’m here.”
She nodded, then climbed into her truck. As she drove away, she couldn’t resist glancing at Cas through the rearview mirror, his figure still standing by the side of the driveway, watching her go. The worry in his eyes lingered in her mind, but so did thewarmth of his kiss. As much as she wanted to keep him safe, Harper couldn’t deny the comfort his presence brought her.
All the more reason not to put him in harm’s way, right?
Her stomach tightened.
She didn’t honestly know if she could keep her distance from him, either.
Chapter Eight
The next morning, Cas pulled into his father’s driveway next to Sadie’s. He had just finished his morning run with the guys and had swung by his own place for a quick shower. Now, he cut the engine then pulled out his phone and fired off a quick text to Harper:
Hey, just got done with my run. Got an idea—how about we hit the library today? See what we can dig up about that April date your great-grandmother mentioned.
He hit Send and leaned back, glancing out over the yard to stare at the apartment over Sadie’s garage, his mind already working through what they might find in the dusty old records of Harland County’s past. A few moments later, his phone buzzed with a response, and he glanced down to see Harper’s reply:
Great idea. I’ve been thinking about that date too. Meet you at my place in thirty?
Cas grinned, glad she was up for it. He typed out a quick response and then pocketed his phone, heading for his father’s front door to check on his progress and grab a cup of coffee.
Twenty-eight minutes later, Cas left his dad’s to walk next door and found Harper already outside, leaning against her truck with a casual confidence that made him smile. She waved as he approached, and he noticed the faint lines of tension in her face, a reminder of the envelope and the note she’d found yesterday. He was determined to help her find some answers today.
“Morning,” she greeted him, her eyes bright despite the unease that lingered just beneath the surface.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he replied with a grin. “You ready to play detective?”
Harper laughed, a light sound that seemed to ease some of the weight between them. “As ready as I’ll ever be. Thanks for coming up with this idea. I think it’ll help to start putting some of the pieces together.”
Cas nodded. “But first, there’s something we need to talk about.”
Her expression turned cautious as she frowned. “What’s that?”
