Page 35 of Sweet Harmony

When it becameapparent that she wasn’t going to say anything else, he said, “Whoare Addison and Harper?”

“Addison isAddison Moore. She’s Daniel’s younger sister and works at HarmonyFalls Elementary over on Oak Street. She teaches grade one andshe’s engaged to Harrison Frank. He’s a corporate lawyer.”

“The names arefamiliar,” he said.

She nodded.“Addison goes to your clinic, although I think she sees Dr.Henderson. I’m not sure where Harrison goes but he plays ball inthe same league as you and Daniel, so you’ve probably seen him at agame.”

“Probably,” hesaid.

“Harper isHarper Brandt. Her dad is Wilson Brandt.”

“Of BrandtVeterinarian?” Connor asked.

“Yes. Do youhave a pet?”

“No, but Granthas a dog he takes to Wilson and Wilson comes into the clinic.”

“Harperactually moved to New York City last year. She’s an artist and shegot a job at a fancy art gallery. She’s hoping to get her workshown at the gallery.”

“Is she good?”he asked.

“So good. Sheworks with pencil and charcoal and… man, her work is incredible.Anyway, the four of us have been thick as thieves, as my dad usedto say, since we were in grade school and we miss Harper somethingawful, but she has to live her dream, right?”

“Yeah, it’simportant to do what you love.”

She glanced upat him. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” hesaid. It made him a little uneasy that Kira could read him so wellafter only a couple of days. He was well known for keeping hisfeelings hidden, and the fact that she already knew when he wasupset by nothing more than the tone of his voice, was… weird andunexpected.

“You sure?”

He nodded. “So,are you closest to Grace?”

“Yes. Grace isan only kid and her parents, they aren’t bad parents, but theyaren’t really there for her. Like, they just kind of did their ownthing, you know? Even when she was a kid, it was like she wasalways an afterthought. Anyway, she spent a lot of time at ourhouse when we were young, and my parents loved her like she wastheir kid.”

She brushed alock of hair away from her face. “I mean, we’re all close, butGracie and I are probably closer, and Addie and Harper have theirown kind of special thing going on. I know Addie really missesHarper. She’s even gone to New York a couple of times to visit her.Harper hasn’t been back since she left, but she’s coming home forAddison’s wedding.”

“When do theyget married?”

“September,”Kira said. “Grace and Harper and I are all bridesmaids. Anyway,we’re supposed to be talking about you, not me. Do you have a bestfriend?”

“Yes. His nameis Lucas. We grew up together. He lives in New Cassel now and worksfor a company that develops video games.”

“So, he playsvideo games all day then?”

He laughed.“Yeah, but when you see him at the wedding, don’t say that to him.He’s sensitive about it.”

“Oh, he’ll beat the wedding?”

“Yeah. Hisfamily knows Mandy’s family.”

“Sounds likeWillington is a lot like Harmony Falls. Everyone knowseveryone.”

“Pretty much,”he said.

They wereheaded toward a curve in the trail and she smiled up at him. “WhenI was a kid, I used to dream about moving to New Cassel. I thoughtI would love to live somewhere that I could be anonymous butnow…”

“Now what?” heasked as they rounded the curve.

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