Page 36 of Finding Home

“Why have you been missing?”

“I may have been a bit distracted by a sexy brunette I met, and not ready to drive hours away and risk missing her at the coffee shop or around town."

“Jace.” This time, she says my name with more of an aw.

“Speaking of which. Uh…” Suddenly, I’m nervous. I feel like a teenage boy calling a girl's house, praying she answers and not her dad, forcing me to ask for his daughter. “What would you say to you and Lizzie coming with me? Mom would love it. She’s in her element when she’s hosting.”

She bites her lip, looking out the passenger window. We are almost back to her place, and I slow, wanting to finish this conversation before getting to her house when we would have an audience.

“Are you sure you want her to meet me? Single moms aren’t exactly catches.”

Swerving to the shoulder, I throw the truck into park, and gravel skitters at the abrupt stop. “Never say anything like that again, Harper. Having Lizzie does not somehow make you less desirable, or less impressive. If anything, the fact that you run a business, raise a child, and help your community, all on your own, while still having more to offer, fuck, you’re incredible. I’m the lucky one, and it is an honor and a damn privilege to get to be beside you, watching the way you shine, the way you love so fiercely. You’re so beautiful, and strong, and I know it’s too soon to say things like this, but I’m in awe of you and helpless to stop the way I’m falling for you more and more each day.” My words settle between us, the weight of them hanging in the air.

Her eyes blink rapidly in an attempt to stop the tears pooling there. “You really believe that, don’t you?”

“Yeah, babe, I do.” The kiss we share is full of promises, and fuck, if I’m not going to lose my mind being patient waiting for those promises to happen.

Pulling into the drive, my breathing is still ragged. The depth of my feelings for Harper constantly catches me off guard.

“No!” she cries softly. “Next weekend is the Fall Fest. I promised Bree I would help at her booth. It’s her biggest event of the year, and she has always been there for me, and watched Lizzie so I could focus at the Berry Festival.”

“Next weekend? Oh, I forgot. I have, of course, seen the signs and banners all over town. I’ll just call my mom. I can go next month.”

“Oh, no,” she interrupts, putting her finger in my chest. “You are not going to disappoint your mother on my account. How will that make me look when I do meet her?”

She plans to meet her, and the smile on my face is so wide that my cheeks start to cramp. At her stern look, I put my hands up in surrender.

“Of course! It’s Saturday, so I can hurry back on Sunday and at least meet you and Lizzie at the fest for one day, right?”

“Definitely.” Leaning in for another kiss, I nearly fly out of my seat at the thunk of something hitting the windshield. On instinct, I grab Harper and push her into my lap, ready to shield her from whatever attack is coming. Instead, I find Bree on the porch, eyes wide, hand over her mouth, and Wren laughing so hard she’s bent over the rail. Then I spot the soccer ball rolling across the driveway.

“I might have to fire my best employee.” Harper laughs when she sits up and sees the scene before her and her friends cackling on the porch.

Chapter 26

Jace

Pulling out of town on Friday afternoon is harder than anticipated. It’s a three-hour drive to my folks’ place in Tacoma, Washington, and after calling and begging them to change dinner to lunch, my mom agreed if I came today so they could spend some extra time with me. Really, it isn’t a chore, I love my family, and I miss them, but as pathetic and sappy as it sounds, I don’t like being this far from Harper and Lizzie. I left Tink at her place to watch over them. Harper had laughed, reminding me that she has stayed in her house for years without a protector, and that I could go to Washington for the weekend and not worry.

It’s been less than a week since our first date, and although we agreed to not stay over all night, she has texted me three nights this week, asking me to sneak in after Lizzie is in bed. Tonight, that won’t be an option, and my cock is not happy about it. My phone chimes with a text message.

Harper

Have a great weekend, I’ll miss you!

Followed by a picture of her lying in bed, in only one of my T-shirts. I’m instantly hard and seriously consider turning around and going straight to her house. Instead, I call her.

“Hi,” she answers too chipper, knowing what she just did to me. I can hear voices in the background.

“Harper, why do I hear people around you while you’re in nothing but my shirt?” It comes out as a growl.

“I’m helping Bree set up for the festival.”

“Wearing that?” I shout, not amused by her laughter.

“Really, Jace? Do you think I would walk around like that in public, in late October when it’s forty-five degrees out?”

“Are you telling me you took that picture earlier with the sole purpose of driving me crazy?”