Page 42 of Your Heart & Mine

This time Harper did laugh, but she didn't miss Elizabeth flinch when her mother mentioned the grumpy, but talented, builder. She was grateful her sister kept her sharp tongue to herself, at least this time.

Harper settled into her seat, placing a lemon bar to her lips as her eyes scanned the table. A wave of contentment swelled within her as she took in the happy expressions on her sisters' faces. Returning to Carrington Ridge had been the last item on Harper's agenda, but she couldn't deny the unexpected blessing of this time with her family.

Rebuilding her relationships with her sisters had brought a true sense of fulfillment. In the last few months, she'd come to realize how important love and connection were to her life. Other than Cam, she'd spent years isolating her heart from everyone. Building her life solitarily, toiling alone. Now, she no longer felt like she had to do everything on her own to be a success. She grinned at her sisters, her mom, and her best friend. "Let's get to it."

Chapter thirty-three

One Step Forward...

TheCarringtonSistersandtheir mother spent the afternoon and into the evening detailing the work they wanted to do to turn the old family home into not only a Bed & Breakfast but a destination wedding location.

"I think a muted color palette - grays, blues, greens - will give each room a peaceful, welcoming feel," suggested Brenna. She'd taken on the job of the decor as well as event planning with aplomb. Harper was just a bit ashamed at herself for not believing her baby sister was mature enough to step into a leadership role when they first started. Breanna had proved her wrong again and again.

Harper smiled, picturing the vision coming to life. She met her mother's eyes as she confirmed her buy in of the plans yet again. "Now, Mama, are you sure the carriage house is going to be big enough for you? Elizabeth can use the attic space instead of the third floor for the honeymoon suite if you want to stay in the house after all."

Mitzi waved a dismissive hand at her oldest daughter's concerns. "Sugar, I've told you. There's no sense in me rattling around in this big, old house. That cottage looks out over my precious roses and down into the valley. It's perfect! And Wyck has already had some of his men in there upgrading the bathroom. I can't wait to see it all finished!"

The only fly in the ointment to getting started on the renovations had been that Ward Development had paid off the mortgage to the house. Wyck had wanted to make a gift of the payment but Harper had refused. They’d fought over it bitterly but, finally, he’d agreed to let the family pay him back in installments they could afford and they had made up.

"I think we've got enough to give to Conner and schedule a walk through and discuss restoring some of the original architectural details," Harper commented to her sisters hating to bring up the controversial contractor, but knowing she couldn't be cowed by Elizabeth's strong opinions about the man.

As expected, Elizabeth made a face. "Ugh, I still can't stand that arrogant jerk."

"I know he's difficult, but you have to admit he's done beautiful work on the storefronts," Harper pointed out fairly. "He seems to really understand how to maintain historical charm while still upgrading things."

Elizabeth blew out an aggravated breath. "I hate to admit you're right. And we want the absolute best on this project." She sipped her sweet tea grudgingly. "I guess if I have to work with him again, I can manage to be civil."

Harper laughed. "That's the spirit! I'll call Conner this afternoon and try to set up a meeting."

"Okay, what paint samples should we order first?" she asked, snagging a warm cookie. Surrounded by her loving family, the future looked bright.

She was optimistic that between her sisters' design talents and Conner's construction skills, they could turn the old house into an inn and event space that people would be clamoring to book. The Clouds Lane Inn would be one more spoke in the wheel of renewal that she and her sisters wanted to bring to their town. After years of treating their small town like his own personal fiefdom, bringing new life to the town was beautiful and healing.

Mitzi was fully on board, excited by the idea of breathing new life into the Victorian house, and had already been working on turning the garden cottage into her permanent space.

The only catch was that Wyck's development company, Ward Properties, now owned the deed. After Jonah's company collapsed, Wyck had bought up the remaining assets - including the Crockett family home. He had generously offered to just give Harper the house when she returned to Carrington Ridge, but she had refused to take charity. They eventually reached an agreement that he would cover the costs of paying off the mortgage and she would repay him over time.

"We should call Conner soon to walk through and discuss restoring some of the original architectural details," Harper commented to her sisters over lunch one day.

Elizabeth made a face. "Ugh, I still can't stand that arrogant jerk."

"I know he's difficult, but you have to admit he's done beautiful work on the storefronts," Harper pointed out fairly. "He seems to really understand how to maintain historical charm while still upgrading things."

Elizabeth sighed. "I suppose you're right. And we want the absolute best on this project." She sipped her iced tea grudgingly. "I guess if I have to work with him again, I can manage to be civil."

Harper laughed. "That's the spirit! I'll call Conner this afternoon and try to set up a meeting."

She was optimistic that between her sisters' design talents and Conner's construction skills, they could turn the old house into the perfect rustic chic inn and event space. Breathing new life into the place her father had let fall into disrepair seemed like poetic justice.

The next morning dawned bright and clear, perfect weather for the inaugural farmer's market Legacy was sponsoring. Mitzi had reminded her of the market that had been held when the girls were little-before Jonah had bought the empty property and hiked up the rent and Harper thought it would be a perfect addition to the community again.

Helping the vendors set up booths displaying their wares - baskets of fresh produce, jars of honey and jam, loaves of artisan bread, Harper inhaled deeply, savoring the mingled scents.

By mid-morning, a steady stream of shoppers browsed the stalls. Harper smiled seeing the square come alive. She paused to chat with Diane from the bakery about her decadent cinnamon rolls. Further on, Josie was arranging bouquets of wildflowers outside her flower shop.

"Morning Harper!" Josie waved a gloved hand. "Doesn't the market look amazing?"

"It really does," Harper agreed, thrilled at the success of their first event. She could already envision a weekly tradition bringing the community together.

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