“Thanks.” Harper offered a grateful smile, even as the disappointment lingered. “I know this isn’t easy with little to go on.”
“You’re family.” Dale smiled and winked. “And we take care of family.”
Harper’s chest squeezed as warmth flooded in. She’d forgotten what it had felt like to have friends that were more like family that she could count on. With the exception of Loni and Lori, the last time she’d had friends like that, they’d died.
After Dale and Cooper left, Harper and Cas headed inside for a quick lunch. They threw together some sandwiches and ate in the kitchen, the air between them light and relaxed despite the lingering uncertainty of the investigation. Her worries eased as they chatted about their plans for the headboard, then enjoyed some apple-cider muffins for dessert.
It was just the pick-me-up she needed.
After lunch, they made their way back outside to sand the other side of the door. Cas turned on some music, a soft country tune that played through his phone he’d set on the hood of his nearby truck. As they sanded, Harper found herself swaying to the beat. Cas noticed, grinning as he set his sandpaper down, then stepped closer, catching her around the waist.
“You dance too?” He smiled, turning her gently into a slow spin.
Harper laughed, rolling her eyes but didn’t pull away. “Not really. But it’s hard not to when the music’s good.”
Cas twirled her again, then pulled her close, his hands settling on her hips. Harper found breathing difficult as she looked up at him, the playful atmosphere shifting into something intimate. Something that made her heart skip a beat. They were close enough that she could feel the warmth of his breath on her skin, the steady rhythm of his heart against hers.
“Harper,” Cas murmured softly, his voice barely above a whisper.
He leaned down, brushing his lips against hers in a gentle, lingering kiss. She immediately melted into it, her hands sliding up to rest on his broad shoulders as she returned his kiss with equal softness.
They parted just enough to look at each other, their foreheads resting together. Exhilarated and calm, the strange blend of emotions left her feeling grounded and light at the same time.
Unique and incredible, and she wanted more.
“This is nice,” she whispered, afraid to break the spell.
Cas nodded, his thumb gently brushing her cheek. “Yeah, it is.”
Then they were kissing again, each one a little longer, a little deeper, a little needier, until they were both breathless and smiling. A delicious, warm tingling spread through her, the kind that came with knowing she was exactly where she wanted to be.
When he broke the kiss, they were both sucking in air, and just when she thought he was going to take it to the next level, he kissed her nose and released her.
She blinked and watched a little dazed as he picked up his sandpaper and got back to work.
Normally, she would’ve been grateful for his control, because she’d felt the evidence of his true feelings pressing against her lower stomach as he’d kissed her stupid. But she was kind of done with normal. She was ready for more. Ready for wild and, well, all of him.
Again, normally, thoughts like that would freak her out, but she was ready to kick normal to the curb and live a little. However, stripping naked and ravishing each other outside in broad daylight was probably too far past normal for her. Gratefulfor the guy’s common sense and restraint, Harper picked up her sandpaper and got back to work.
The afternoon passed in a comfortable blur of sanding, chatting, cleaning, applying the first coat of sealant, and the occasional stolen glance that messed with her pulse. She loved being at the ranch, loved the sense of accomplishment that came with each completed project, but more than anything, she loved the time spent with Cas. Those quiet, unguarded moments that felt like they were building something together, piece by piece.
She waited for the fierce grip of panic to squeeze her chest, but it never came. Instead, she noted an unexpected peacefulness that’d been missing from her life for almost a decade. She almost didn’t recognize it.
Because the significance was a little too much to deal with, Harper pushed all of it to the back of her mind and enjoyed the present without any clouds hanging over her.
By the time they decided to call it a day, the barn door was well on its way to becoming a headboard, and she was pleased with what they’d accomplished. She and Cas stood back, admiring their work, and Harper reached out to take his hand without thinking.
“I’m glad we’re doing this,” she said, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. “It’s been a lot of fun.”
Cas squeezed back, his smile warm and genuine. “Me, too. And we’re just getting started.”
He insisted on grilling some chicken for dinner, and within the hour, they were showered and changed, and sitting on his front porch, enjoying their food.
Streaks of pink and orange painted the sky as the sun set over the ranch. That peace she was coming to love settled over Harper, the kind that came from good food, good company, and the promise of more days like this one to come.
At least, she hoped for more.
“Here’s to another day of great progress,” Cas said, holding up his glass of iced tea, which she happily clinked with her own glass.
