Page 16 of Your Heart & Mine

"We could really do this, Harper," Elizabeth told her, her normally cold-looking blue eyes glittering with possibilities. "It would be a culmination of all our skills."

"But what is Mama going to think?" Harper asked warily.

"What is Mama going to think about what?" The voice came from the partially closed doorway.

"Guess we're about to find out," Brenna whispered under her breath, looking chagrined.

"Can I get you some tea, Mama?" Elizabeth asked as Mitzi came into the room. She was in a red, cashmere sweater, dark jeans, and red flats. Her hair was pulled back into her usual French twist. She looked tired, but perfectly put together as she always did.

"I'm fine, Sugar. Y'all just tell me what you're conspiring about in here." Mitzi sat in an armchair and crossed her legs. Her slightly bobbing foot the only tell that she was nervous.

Brenna and Elizabeth looked to Harper. "Well, Mama, we've been discussing the situation Daddy left us in, particularly the house." She paused and Mitzi raised one of her blonde brows in silent question.

"After everything we found out about Daddy," Harper began. "Um, we were thinking about the possibility of turning the house into a B&B and hosting events in and around the barn. Like weddings and stuff. Apparently, this is a big thing now and, according to Lizzy's research, the area is short on accommodations for festivals. We'd build an apartment for you in the renovation plans, of course. Lizzy did some measurements and thinks we can get six rooms and…"

"Harper, Honey, take a breath," Mitzi interrupted, her lips quirking up in a smile.

Harper did as her mother said and sat down facing her. "We don't want you to lose the house, Mama. If you hate the idea, I'm sure we can come up with something else."

"Actually," Mitzi continued. "I like the idea. I love this place but it's way too big for just me to be rattling around in." She gave a tender look to her youngest daughter. "And, Baby Doll, it's time for you to spread your wings and fly as well."

Brenna blinked, then studied her hands in her lap. "I know, Mama," she murmured.

"And how many rooms could we have if you didn't need to make an apartment for me?" The girls all stared at their mother in incomprehension. "That guest house out by the gardens would make a perfect sized place for me. Oh, don't get me wrong," she added as the girls continued to look at her in shock. "I love this place and wouldn't want it out of the family, but I never needed anything this grand. Your daddy insisted, though, and I didn't want to disappoint him. I'd be perfectly content in that little cottage out by my roses."

The sisters looked from one to the other in amazement. "Um, Lizzy? What do you think?" Harper asked.

Lizzy looked thoughtful, tapping her fingernail on her chin. "At least two more, or maybe a grand honeymoon suite with a spa bath."

Mitzi's smile lit up the room. She clapped her hands together in excitement. "Oh! A honeymoon suite! We should definitely do that!" She glanced at her watch. "I've got to get down to the church for the supper tonight, but you girls keep me in the loop. I'm so proud of you and how you're trying to turn this situation around. I have every faith you can make it happen. This is so exciting!"

After a quick hug to each of them, Mitzi disappeared out the door, a waft of Estee Lauder'sBeautifullingering in the air behind her.

"That was unexpected," Elizabeth noted, still looking slightly shellshocked. She turned a half-smile on Brenna and nudged her with an elbow. "Looks like you're going to have to fly, baby bird."

Brenna rolled her eyes at her older sister. "Yeah, I know. It's okay. I can probably move in with Katie until I find a job."

"Hold on. Finding a job may not be necessary," Harper announced. "Now that what I thought was going to be the hard part is done —convincing Mama," Harper said, "I wanted to go over my other idea with y'all."

The sisters refilled their tea and listened intently as Harper outlined her plan for them and the town.

Chapter fourteen

Cross Purposes

Thenextfewdayswere a whirlwind of meetings for Harper. She called the CEO of her company, and they discussed setting up a nonprofit to handle the costs of development of the projects Harper wanted to take on for the town.

"I really like your ideas on this project, Harper," Marijo told her. "I think we can really make a difference in the community. I'd like to start with the clinic, the downtown block and the empty building over by the mill. That's the one you wanted to put the daycare center in, right?"

Harper heard the smile in her boss' voice. "Exactly. I think those are the three properties where we can make the quickest impact."

"Perfect," Marijo interrupted. "I can't wait to come up there in a few months and see your progress."

"A few months? My progress?" Harper asked, honest confusion in her voice.

"Well, you're obviously going to have to stay up there and manage the entire thing. This is going to be your baby, Harper. I have every confidence you're going to shine!"

Harper swallowed hard. She hadn't expected to be put in charge of the project. She'd hoped for a seat on the board of the nonprofit, but this was huge. "I don't know what to say, Marijo."

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