She smiled, truly grateful for his unwavering support. “I believe you.”
“Do you trust me?” he asked, his gaze boring deep.
It was strange, but she didn’t even need to stop and think.
“Yes. I do.” With her life and therein lie the problem. “Why?”
“I’d like to stop by your place, and have you pack a bag to stay at the ranch with me until this is resolved,” he replied, knocking the breath from her lungs.
Stay at the ranch with him?
“And also pack up all the tools you might need to finish my wall while you’re there,” he added, and she found her breath again. “This will eliminate you riding back and forth and you being out in the open unprotected.”
“Good idea, Bro,” Dale said, walking toward them. “The ranch has extensive security, which has just been recently updated and upgraded.”
Harper had no idea what any of that meant, and frankly, her mind was still stuck on the “pack a bag to stay at the ranch with me” part of Cas’ words.
Because she was an idiot.
Yeah, one with weak knees. Those suckers were currently trembling.
As nonchalantly as possible, she leaned against the wall and nodded. “Okay. That will definitely assure me finishing in time to start at your dad’s place in a few days.”
“Dad’s getting a feature wall too?” Dale asked, envy clouding his gaze.
Cas nodded and slapped his brother’s arm. “Yep. I’m getting a table, too. And Harper’s using the rest for some of her own projects.”
“Dang. Well, I’m sure everything is going to turn out great,” Dale said as he walked away, leaving her alone to stare at his brother.
“So, you ready?” Cas asked, his gaze warm and expectant.
For what? To work on his house?
“Yes.”
To stay overnight? Oh, that one was a toughie, because it was also a yes and a no. She knew that wasn’t why he’d invited her. It was to keep her safe but not suppressed, which she appreciated.
And she truly meant it when she told him she trusted him. He would never try anything with her. Hell, he’d proven that multiple times since her arrival. So, yeah, she trusted him.
Herselfwithhim?
Now that was an entirely different matter, and it scared her more than any cryptic note.
Chapter Ten
Harper ran her hand along the newly finished feature wall, admiring the rustic charm of the barn wood Cas had collected. The dark, charred edges gave the room a warm, lived-in feel, and she couldn’t help but smile at how well it had turned out. They’d spent the past three days sanding, cutting, sealing, and waxing before carefully fitting each piece, and now the wall looked like it had always been there—a perfect blend of old and new.
She glanced out the window to Cas, who was near the burnt-out barn, setting up their next project. They were going to transform one of the barn doors into a headboard for his bed. With a smile tugging at her lips, she headed downstairs and outside, eager to start the new project with him.
Cas was focused, his brows knit together as he measured the door he placed on a set of sawhorses, then used her circular saw to cut it to size. A familiar flutter took up residence in her chest. He knew his way around tools and was unexpectedly sexy using them. Inhaling, she steadied her heartbeat as she continued to watch him. Harper enjoyed the rhythm of working alongside Cas, and their fun banter and quiet moments that made the ranch feel like a second home.
“Hey,” she said, stepping closer as he set the saw down. “Need a hand with that?”
The handsome man looked up, his expression softening into a smile. “Always. You know I’m just the muscle here. You’re the brains. But I hope you don’t mind that I got started.”
“No, of course I don’t mind.” Harper grinned, playfully nudging his shoulder. “You act like you have no IQ.”
He chuckled. “I don’t know about that, but I’ve seen you wield that sander. This is your show. I’m happy to work as an extra.”
