She scratched her temple. “I’m still trying to figure out how George even knew I had the diary. I don’t think we talked about it in his bank when I opened my account—which I’ll be closing the first chance I get.”
Gabe smirked, rising to his feet. “Pretty sure there’s going to be a lot of people pulling their money from there.”
“And I think I have an answer for you, Harper,” Cas said, bringing them to their feet, too. “Remember those checks Carter ran on the people at Harland Title and Tag? Turns out the guy who did your truck transfer was the owner, Shawn Collins.”
She sucked in a breath. “One of the founding families…”
He nodded. “I’m guessing he overheard us talking and relayed it to George.”
That explained a lot.
“Seems like I’ll be paying Mr. Collins a visit, too,” the sheriff stated, his expression serious.
She glanced at both men, and her heart swelled with gratitude. George Anderson’s involvement was out in the open, and the truth about Nevil that had been buried for so long was finally clawing its way to the surface.
“Thanks, Gabe,” she said, her voice steady. “For everything.”
The sheriff set his hat back on his head and nodded. “We’re going to get them, Harper. And when we do, the residents of Harland County will finally know the truth.”
As Gabe left, Harper stood in the doorway with Cas, a quiet strength settling over her. They were finally bringing an end to the darkness that had haunted her family for generations. Mary’s truth was finally coming to light.
“I’m so damn proud of you, Harper,” Cas murmured, hugging her from behind. “I know none of this has been easy, facing your past, your family’s past, but you did it and came out on top.”
She turned in his arms, setting her hands on his chest. “All because of you. I could never have done any of this without you, Cas. It’s your strength and acceptance that kept me going, even when I wanted to turn back. You made me believe that I couldface it all. That I didn’t have to run from life and the truth anymore.”
Cas had been her rock through all of this, his unwavering support a constant light in the darkest moments.
His gaze softened as he stared into her eyes, his hands moving to gently cup her face. “You’ve had the strength all along, Harper. I just helped you see it.” He leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead, and the warmth of his affection washed over her, filling the holes that the past had eaten away.
Harper rested her forehead against his, her heart full and steady. “Thank you, Cas. For everything. For being here, for believing in me.”
He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners in that way that always made her heart flutter. “I’d do it all again, Harper. Every second. Anything for you.”
They stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, the shadows of the past finally lifting as she looked toward a future where the truth would finally be known.
For the first time in a long time, Harper felt like she could breathe freely. It was an amazing feeling.
She leaned into Cas, enjoying the warmth of his embrace. “You know, for all the trouble we’ve been through, I think we make a pretty good team. Maybe we should stick to projects that involve a little less danger and a lot more sawdust.”
He chuckled, his hands sliding to rest on her hips. “I’m all for it. Besides, you’re not the only one good with your hands. I could use a new challenge. How about we start with that table you’ve been talking about?”
Harper smiled, feeling the comfort of their shared rhythm, as natural as sanding down a rough piece of wood to reveal something beautiful underneath. “Deal. I’ll handle the design, you handle the heavy lifting. We’ll create a masterpiece.”
He brushed a kiss against her temple, his touch soft and reassuring. “Just like us, huh? A little rough around the edges, but strong where it counts.”
She laughed, her heart light as she drew back to meet his gaze. “Exactly. And if we can handle this, I think we can tackle anything…one project at a time.”
With Cas by her side, Harper felt ready for whatever came next, knowing that their greatest work was still ahead of them, built together, one step—and one perfectly measured cut—at a time.
Epilogue
Cas stood on the porch, leaning against the railing and watching as their friends and family filled the backyard of the ranch. Laughter and lively chatter floated through the air, mingling with the scent of grilled burgers and fresh-cut grass. Harper was in the center of it all, her smile brighter than the sun as she moved from one conversation to the next. She’d come a long way from the woman who shied away from crowds when she first arrived in Harland two-and-a-half months ago. Seeing her so happy, surrounded by the people who meant the most to them, sent a round of warmth to his chest.
“Not bad for a little get-together, huh?” Dale said, joining Cas with an iced tea in hand and his deputy uniform on his back. He nodded toward Harper, who was playfully arguing with Sadie, Lori, and Loni about which donuts were the best.
“Yeah, not bad at all,” Cas replied, his gaze fixed on Harper. “She deserves it. After everything, she deserves to have a day that’s just about her.”
Dale chuckled. “And look at you, Mr. Sentimental. Who would’ve thought?”
