Page 21 of Redeeming Harmony

She pushed past Hal and rushed forward to embrace the tall, curvy woman in jeans and a t-shirt. Savina hugged her hard before stepping back and looking her up and down. “Hello, sweetheart. You look amazing, as usual.”

“So do you,” Harper said. Savina was her father’s only sibling and a decade younger than him. She’d been an ‘oops’ baby, and despite being the only child for ten years, her father had adored and doted on Savina from the moment their parents brought her home from the hospital.

It wasn’t hard to understand why. Her aunt was the sweetest woman in Harmony Falls, always quick to help others with her time and energy. After her husband died three years ago, she’d invested even more time into helping others. She fostered dogs for Little Whiskers Rescue, volunteered at the library and the Harmony Falls community center, and coached T-ball. She also raised chickens and had a surprisingly brisk egg-selling business.

“I’m happy to see you,” Harper said. “I planned to stop by in a day or two. It’s been kind of crazy since I got home.”

“It’s fine, love,” Savina said with a warm smile. “I texted with Warren yesterday, and he told me what’s been happening. Did you talk with him last night?”

“We did,” Harper said. Not wanting to get into the details of how she’d been a total bitch to Nathan right there in the clinic, she said, “We need to have coffee and get caught up.”

“Yes, we do,” Savina said. “Just let me know when and I’ll be there.”

“Thanks, Savina,” Harper said. After Addie and her father, it was Savina she’d missed the most. Unable to count on her mother, she’d often gone to her aunt for help with everything from homework to makeup to period cramps. Even though Savina had visited her twice last year, Harper couldn’t wait to sit in her aunt’s familiar farmhouse kitchen for a good visit.

“Are you looking for Dad?” Harper said. “He’s still at the house, I think.”

“I’m here to pick up some dewormer for my new foster dog,” Savina said. “I was talking with Brooklyn at reception, and she mentioned you were here. I thought I’d pop back and get the dewormer and say hello.”

“I’m so glad you did,” Harper said. She turned to Hal. “Do we still keep the dewormer in the same cupboard?”

“I’ll grab it,” Hal said.

He turned to leave, and Harper said, “Aren’t you going to say hello to Savina?”

His face reddened, and he cleared his throat. “Hey, Savina.”

“Hi, Hal,” Savina said.

Hal walked toward the back cupboards and, frowning slightly, Harper turned back to Savina. “That was…”

She stopped, studying her aunt’s face carefully. After a moment, Savina said, “What?”

“What’s going on with you and Hal?”

“Nothing. Why?”

“Because you’re both being weird.”

“No, we’re not. You’re being weird,” her aunt said defensively. “And keep your voice down, please.”

She glanced over Harper’s shoulder at Hal. “So, are you working at the clinic again?”

“Why are you changing the subject?” Harper said.

“I’m not.”

“Oh, you so are,” Harper said. “You and Hal are…”

“Hush,” Savina said, giving her a poke in the stomach. She plastered a smile on her face as Hal joined them again.

“Here’s the dewormer,” Hal said gruffly.

“Thank you. Anything I need to watch out for because she’s pregnant?” Savina asked.

He shook his head. “It’s safe for pregnant dogs.”

There was an awkward silence, and then Hal said, “I need to check on Winston in the back.”

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