Page 30 of Your Heart & Mine

Harper shrugged off her hold. Her eyes narrowed and her hands clenched into fists. "Whatever I'm doing is my business, not yours. I'd thank you to remember that."

"We're just worried about you, Harp. We remember what you went through," Brenna added softly. "We don't want you to be hurt again."

Expression softening, Harper looked at Brenna. "I appreciate that, Doodle Bug, I do. But I'm a big girl now. I can handle whatever happens."

Elizabeth didn't look convinced, but Brenna gave her a quick hug. Though her relationship with Wyck had caused her pain in the past, perhaps this time could be different. A fresh start for them both.

Chapter twenty-five

Family

Wyckwashappywiththe progress he was seeing on the community center and the other projects he had taken on in Carrington Ridge. He was meeting regularly with businesses and crafting proposals to expand the revitalization of Main Street alongside Harper and her sisters. The town was happily on board with the renovations and excited about the future.

While Elizabeth was proving to be a huge asset to reconfiguring spaces, Brenna had taken a larger role in working with the tourist board for the county as well. Harper managed it all with grace and efficiency.

The weak winter sunlight filtered through the plastic sheeting covering the open frames of the community center project failed to provide much warmth, but Wyck hardly noticed the chill. He was focused intently on the construction plans laid out on the makeshift table in what would soon be the new community center's gathering hall.

"Brad, I want to bump up the insulation rating if we can," he directed his foreman. "With those new energy-efficient windows, we should be able to make this place easy to keep heated even through the coldest snaps."

Brad nodded, jotting notes on his clipboard. "Will do. I'll have the crew get started on that this afternoon."

Wyck surveyed the unfinished building, satisfaction welling up as his vision took shape. The bones of the structure were coming together nicely. Soon, they could close it in and work could continue inside once the snows came in earnest.

The skies threatened as much today - heavy grey clouds loomed, diffusing the sunlight to an anemic glow. An icy chill lingered in the air, the kind that sank through layers of clothing to numb exposed skin. Wyck bounced on his toes trying to keep warm, his exhaled breath creating a fog around his head.

At that moment, a flash of color caught his eye through the plastic sheeting. Harper appeared in her red wool coat, carefully picking her way across the muddy construction site balancing a tray holding two steaming cups. Her shining haze eyes and a wisp of blonde hair were all that peeked out from a knitted hat pulled low on her brow and a scarf wrapped around her neck and chin against the cold.

Wyck's face split into a wide smile. After handing the plans back to Brad with a few more instructions, he jogged over to meet her.

"Good morning, beautiful." His finger plucked at the scarf so he could steal a swift kiss. "You're a sight for sore eyes. And you come bearing gifts!"

Harper smiled up at him, her cheeks endearingly pink from the chill. "Thought you could use something warm. Brought you coffee and some muffins from the bakery."

"Have I told you lately that you're the best?" Wyck gratefully accepted the proffered coffee, the heat seeping through the cup into his numb fingers.

Harper laughed, her breath puffing out in a frosty cloud. "Only about a hundred times. But a girl doesn't mind hearing it again."

They found a relatively protected spot and shared the impromptu breakfast. A companionable silence fell as they sipped and munched. Harper took in the progress on the building, a look of admiration on her face.

"I can't believe how much you've gotten done already, Wyck," she marveled, handing him a pumpkin muffin. "This place is really coming together."

Wyck bit into the muffin and shrugged, though privately he shared her amazement at their progress. The locals had really showed up even though it was hunting season. "Well, I've got a great crew. And lots of motivation." He winked at her. "Once we get the exterior sealed up, we can work inside even when the snow starts piling up."

Harper nodded approvingly. "People all over town are so excited. This place is going to make such a huge difference for so many families." Her voice rang with sincerity.

Wyck brushed a stray crumb from the corner of her mouth with his thumb. His grey eyes locked onto hers, his voice gentle but serious. "That's the whole goal here - to build something meaningful for the community. Make things better, give back, you know?"

Harper's breath caught at the intensity of his gaze. She rose up on her tiptoes to give him a long, lingering kiss. As they parted, she whispered "I'm so proud of you, Wyck."

Her faith in him, her pride in what he was trying to accomplish here, lifted his spirits higher than the weak winter sun ever could. There was a bright hope in his heart that he hadn't felt in a great while.

Just then, a gruff voice interrupted. "Hey, boss! We got a situation with the drywall delivery."

Wyck suppressed a groan. So much for a romantic moment. Duty called. He stole one more swift kiss from Harper. "Back to the grind. But I'll see you tonight, right?"

"Can't wait," she affirmed, sneaking in one last caress of his jaw before stepping back with a sigh. She turned to carefully pick her way across the obstacle course of a construction site while Wyck headed off to deal with the latest work crisis.

That evening, Wyck arrived at the Carrington house for dinner at Harper's invitation. Despite her reassurances, he still felt a twinge of apprehension. Her family had been cordial so far, but his past actions weighed on him and he still sensed an undercurrent of distrust from some, especially Elizabeth. She was a tough nut to crack.

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