Page 21 of New Year's Renovations

“That could be a world-record for shortest resolution ever. Can I have your cactus?” he asked, smirking.

I laughed. “Sure. If Harper stays.”

“Deal.”

* * *

I tookwhat Logan said to heart, reaching out to every connection I ever had, including all my NHL buddies (with the exception of my backstabbing ex-best friend. He could go to hell). A few emailed me back to say hi and catch up, but one held actual promise and I couldn’t wait to tell Harper about it. First I wanted to make sure it would pan out, though. Didn’t want to get her hopes up for nothing.

The cabinets finally came in, so Bramblehill House was bustling with people. Besides the cabinet guys, the floors were being refinished in the dining room and the noise was insane. Like, concert-level loud. I caught glimpses of Harper flitting in and out of the house in an oversized sweatshirt and leggings, laptop in hand. I think she was trying to find a quiet spot—good luck with that.

Hanging the cabinets took most of the morning, so I didn’t have time to connect with Harper on the job search. My contact turned out to be promising and I hoped it would lead to something local, but I wanted to tell her in private, maybe over a bottle of wine tonight at my house.

“Hey boss, whaddya think about this? And does she want the knobs here or here?” Derek pointed at two spots on the cabinet and I shook my head.

“No idea. Let me find her; hang on.”

I held my finger up so he’d get the idea; the floor buffer was so loud I could barely hear myself think. He nodded and I headed out of the kitchen to find Harper.

I checked the back garden, but she wasn’t out there. Too cold. She wasn’t in the living room, definitely wasn’t in the dining room with the buffer. I heard sound coming from the library, so I headed back in that direction. Yes, that was definitely her voice carrying over the steady thrum of the buffer. As I got closer, her voice got louder. She was practically shouting to be heard over the noise.

I was just outside the library when the buffer stopped, Harper’s voice carrying through the air loud and clear.

“You want me to come back to Channel 5, Clark? Like nothing ever happened?”

I froze, my heart hammering hard.Channel 5? And Clark, her ex-boyfriend?

“Well, I’m glad the viewers miss me, that’s great. But what about you?”

My chest constricted, my breath caught in my throat.Was she thinking about going back to her ex?

She laughed, a low, throaty sound. “I’ll think about it. Thanks for reaching out. Bye.”

I stood in the hallway for a moment, my stomach roiling with nerves. I needed to know what was going on more than I needed to protect my ego.

“Hey,” I said, attempting nonchalance. “Derek needs your opinion on the cabinets. In the kitchen.” I scrubbed my hand hard over the back of my neck.

“Oh, hey.” Her cheeks flushed a bright pink and she bit her bottom lip, working it. “On what?”

“The knob placement. Everything okay?” I caught her eye and she smoothed her hair over her shoulder.

“Yes. That was just my old boss calling. He offered me my job back.” She looked away from me, out the window at the gray sky.

“Really?” My gut ached at the thought of her leaving, but it sounded like that’s what she wanted. Who was I to stop her?

“Apparently the viewers have spoken. They don’t like the new anchor and they want me back.”

“That’s great,” I said in a low voice, barely breathing.

“You think?” she asked, tipping her chin up at me.

“If that’s what you want. I mean, it’s not great for me, obviously. But I know you have a career, I get that.”

“Yeah, I do. And I’ve tried to find other things locally, but there’s nothing for me here.”

“Really?” I asked, all the air whooshing out of me, my chest burning. “Nothing for you here? Thanks.”

“Jackson. That’s not what I meant.” She crossed the room, grabbing for my hand, but I stepped just out of reach.

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