PROLOGUE
From the back of “The Sweetest Words”
Harper pushed a pieceof hair out of her face and studied her newest painting. It wasn’t quite the type of work she normally did, but this one was special. She had been commissioned to paint a series of pictures that featured The Three Sisters Cafe signature desserts.
She was running a little behind...Austin was picking them up this morning, but Harper hadn’t been able to stop herself from adding just a little more color.
Just as she finished cleaning her brushes, there was a knock at the door. “Perfect timing,” she murmured to herself as she went to answer. “Austin! Come on in.” Harper opened her door wider. “I’ve got your pictures back in the studio.”
He rubbed his hands together, grinning wildly. “I can’t wait to see them.”
Harper led the way to the back. It was amazing how well Austin had settled into life here in small town USA. Especially after being such a big name and living in the city his whole life.
His brother, Tye, had moved down to Seagull Cove and almost immediately began to take online college classes. Last she’d heard, Tye was planning to go to college in person next fall. From her chats with Aspen, Harper knew this was a big step for the young man who struggled in large, public settings.
He’d continued his writing, however, and apparently, had been hired for several guest blog gigs, which was doing a lot to boost his confidence after people realized he was the snarky voice behind the “Eat It Austin” posts.
As for Austin, he had also found a niche which fit him well. With his experience in building a brand, he had opened an online marketing business, building websites and promoting certain brands. It still required reading and writing, but not so much that he couldn’t manage it with a little help.
He was now doing all the marketing for The Three Sisters Cafe, leaving Estelle more time to focus on decorating the treats and more wedding cake work, which had made her happy as well. The situation gave Austin the start he needed to get his business off the ground and Estelle had gratefully shifted her position after arriving home from Italy. Her father had been on the mend when she’d finally come home and the Harrison women were awaiting word that their parents were ready to come home.
The only downside to the story had been Austin’s mom. She had been taken back to the rehab center in Portland, only to disappear once again. This time, however, she hadn’t resurfaced. Aspen had confided in Harper that Austin had hired a private investigator to find her, but so far, she was staying out of the limelight.
For all they knew, she could have passed away on the street, marked as a Jane Doe, but Harper knew that Austin would keep looking until he had answers.
“Here we are,” she announced, opening her studio door and breaking her line of thoughts. The winter had been busy and crazy as everyone had settled into their new roles and their little group of friends had welcomed Austin into their midst. But, Harper was getting anxious for the beauty of spring and the outside markets that would help her get into the sunshine and enjoy interacting with the public again.
Being an artist was a solitary life, which she didn’t mind most of the time, but the last couple of years, she had found herself growing restless. It more than likely had to do with the fact that she couldn’t seem to shake a crush on one stoic and as equally solitary lumberjack.
At least at the festivals, I can watch him do his live carving.
Other than when their friends gathered for game nights or to try one of Aspen’s new desserts, she rarely had occasion to see the handsome Mason. But during the spring and summer, their schedules ran very similarly since he did log carving at live demonstrations at many of the markets.
Not that she should be looking forward to it. Trying to build her art into a full-time income took precedence right now and Harper knew she didn’t have time for a relationship if she was ever going to prove herself to her mother and stop relying on a trust fund to pay the bills.
“Harper, they’re perfect,” Austin said with a smile.
He really had a nice smile. Aspen was so lucky. She was loved and adored by a great guy. Jealousy tried to rear its ugly head, but Harper pushed it back. It was no one’s fault that the art world was a difficult one, or that her secret crush had to stay secret. It wasn’t worth being upset at her friend’s happiness because of it. Not to mention, it wasn’t like Aspen and Austin’s road to love had been easy.
“Do you have your part ready?” Harper asked.
Austin nodded. “It’s in the car.” He scrunched his nose. “Tye helped me write it, but it’s ready.”
“Awesome.” She gathered up her canvases. “Let’s get going.”
It took no time at all for them to arrive at the cafe. Estelle let them inside. It was a Sunday afternoon, which meant they were closed to the public and it was the perfect time to set up a surprise for Aspen.
A half hour later, everything was in place and Austin was calling Aspen. “Hey, babe. Can you come down to the shop for a minute? I have an idea.”
Harper held her breath, then relaxed when Austin gave them all the thumbs up.
“We don’t have to leave completely, do we?” Estelle asked, raising her shoulders to her ears. “I was hoping to record this for Mom and Dad.”
Austin pinched his lips between his teeth. “Do you mind doing it from the back corner, maybe? I’d like to keep her focus out here.”
“Of course!” Estelle grabbed Harper’s hand and with Maeve trailing behind, the girls made themselves as unobtrusive as possible in the back.
It only took a few minutes for Aspen to arrive. Short commutes was one of the perks of living in a small town and Harper’s heart leapt to her throat. She was so excited for her best friend. All little girls dreamed of this day and it was wonderful that it was finally happening.
“Austin?” Aspen called as she pushed open the front door. She gasped and came to a halt when she saw the wall. “What’s this?”
Austin stood in front of the latest decorations. They had displayed them on the wall around the leopard print sofa, which everyone referred to as “The A’s Place”. He held out his hands and Aspen slowly walked his way, taking in the pictures.
“Did Harper paint those?” Aspen asked. “They’re beautiful.”
Austin still didn’t speak, instead guiding her to sit down. Once Aspen was seated, Austin knelt down on one knee, eliciting another gasp.
Harper clasped Estelle’s hand, then forced herself to let go, so she wouldn’t ruin the video. This was so exciting!
“Aspen Marguerite Harrison,” Austin said carefully. “We both know I’m not much of a reader or writer, but I’ve spent my life hiding behind other people’s words and I wanted to present myself to you with nothing between us. No fans, no internet, no ghost writers...just you, me and a proposal.”
Aspen covered her mouth with her hands, tears beginning to trickle down her cheeks. Harper found her own eyes filling with similar emotions.
“I love you,” Austin continued. “I love you more than I can express with or without help,” he said with a smirk. “You’re my rock. You’re the reason I’ve survived the blowback from my job, you’re the reason I have a new job, you’re the reason I wake up with a smile on my face and a bounce in my step.”
Aspen reached out and cupped his cheek and Harper began to feel like she was intruding on an intimate moment. She glanced at Maeve, who pumped her eyebrows. Apparently, the sisters didn’t have any trouble with it.
“I know what it’s like to lose that light in my life and I never want to go through it again. I know that everyone refers to this corner as ours and I’m happy to keep going with that, which is why I had Harper paint your cakes. Those cakes are yours. They symbolize everything you are.” He reached under the couch and pulled out a framed piece of paper. “And this is so we can put me up there with you.”