*Harper let herself into Cam’s workshop, switched on the lights, and raised the blinds on the French doors. She yawned as she hung her coat on the hook by the door and carried her lunch and go-cup to the workbench. Today, she’d give the dower chest a final rubdown and reattach the lid, then cover the piece with a blanket or furniture cover to keep it hidden. Anna had told her last night that her parents were due in from parts unknown and would probably want to get over to Cam’s to get Christmas dinner started.
“You’re coming, right.” It hadn’t really been a question so much as a statement when Anna had mentioned the celebration four days hence.
Harper hadn’t been sure, particularly since Cam was still down in Missouri and except for a couple of quick texts, she hadn’t heard from him. Sure, the aunts were planning on attending the Walker family Christmas dinner. They were busy making pies and Aunt Dot’s special carrot soufflé, but her invitation had come from Cam. “Do you think it would be okay? I mean, Cam doesn’t know if he’ll be back yet… It would be weird to meet his parents without him,” she admitted to Anna as they’d finished up yoga class.
Anna grinned. “Then come and meet my parents. They’d love to meet my new friend.”
Harper’s heart had filled with the warmth of Anna’s smile. She thought for a moment. “I’m going up to Michigan tomorrow for a quick visit with my family, but okay. I’ll come with the aunts. Tell me what to bring.”
“Fudge,” Anna suggested, then snapped her fingers. “Peanut butter fudge.”
Harper had no idea how to make fudge of any flavor, but she’d googled a recipe and run into Deke’s for ingredients after she’d left the yoga studio the night before. Sugar, butter, milk, peanut butter, marshmallow cream, and vanilla—how hard could it be? She’d put it together on Christmas Eve morning so it would be fresh for the next day. Plus she could take some to the pitch-in lunch at Aidan Flaherty’s showboat.
Today, as she rubbed the dower chest with a clean cloth, she made plans—something she’d pretty much avoided doing since she’d left Michigan. Looking ahead had become too painful after Drew died. Easier to stay in the here-and-now, take each day as it came, rather than face a future without him.
Coming to River’s Edge had changed all that.
Her apartment was beginning to feel like home. She’d already told Harley Lange that she was withdrawing her application for the nursery school job. She’d filled out all the paperwork for her new position at the arts center that started officially the day after Christmas, although she’d already spent time with Jazz making plans for classes there. She was building a life—her own life, and despite the draw she felt toward Cam, she wasn’t quite sure yet that she wanted to share it.
But when she lifted her gaze from the lid of the dower chest to take in Cam’s tidy woodshop, she realized that this studio was another place that felt like home. His presence was everywhere—in the organized tools on the pegboard, the carefully labeled cans of stain and paint on the shelves, the drawings tacked onto the wall by the workbench, and the books leaning against one another on the table by the overstuffed chair. It was as if he’d merely stepped away for a second, and her heart squeezed in her chest.
How she missed him! Missed that infectious dimpled smile, the spark in those gray-blue eyes. She ached for his teasing, his humor, his conversations, his enthusiasm for learning anything new … his touch, his kisses. The man sure could kiss.
Dear God, am I falling in love with him?
She plopped down on the stool, her rag dangling from her gloved fingers as she contemplated the possibility. It was a heart-stopping thought—falling in love again. She sworn for her own sanity that she’d never open her heart like that again. Especially not to a soldier.
And yet, Cameron Walker had appeared in her life when she’d least expected it, in a place she’d never expected, and she’d been totally unprepared for him. He was like a tornado, swirling her back into life with his love of all things Christmas and his gung-ho approach to each and every day, his contagious joie de vivre.
How did he do it? He saw so much pain and suffering when he was deployed as he was now … and yet… She pulled out her phone to scroll through the texts she’d received from him the last couple of nights. He’d mostly shared pictures of the devastation—crumbled buildings, overturned cars, buckled streets, shattered store windows now covered with the plywood he’d hauled down, and so many fires. They had all tugged at her heart.
But one picture was of a decorated Christmas tree, untouched by the quake, in front of a destroyed home. The fir wasn’t lit up because the power hadn’t been restored yet, but it was covered in colored balls and silver garland and a plastic Santa Claus figure waved next to it. Amid all the tragedy and destruction, Cam had found Christmas.
Setting her phone aside, Harper went back to work, lifting the lid to the dower chest and carrying it to the box. Using a couple of two-by-fours to hold it in place, she reattached the hinges. It was a perfect fit. She stood back to admire their handiwork. She and Cam had created something exquisite. How wonderful would it be if they could do it again? A seed of an idea began to germinate in her imagination. What if we could?
The sing-song sound of her phone interrupted her rumination. When she picked it up, her heart soared. It was Cam on FaceTime. Quickly, she swiped to answer, making sure her camera was on. “Hey!” She didn’t even try to keep the excitement from her voice.
His face appeared onscreen—he was scruffy and hollow-eyed with exhaustion, but he was smiling. “Hiya, gorgeous.” He was sitting on the back of a big army truck in the parking lot of what looked like big box store. The sun was out, but it was clearly cold, because she could see his breath when he exhaled.
A frisson of pleasure zipped through her. “Where are you? Cell service is back up?”
“At a lumber yard down in Memphis. Carter and I and couple of guys are picking up boards—he’s inside doing the paperwork. The others are across the street at the Starbucks.” His tone turned softer, more intimate. “Cell service is iffy at best—several towers are down—but I needed to see your face.”
A shiver went through her. “I’m glad to see you, too. You look tired.”
He quirked a brow. “I’m okay. I’ve missed you.”
Even though he was dressed in that hated working uniform—the tan camouflage shirt showing under his tan parka, his too-long blond hair hanging below his dark green knit cap—her tummy tightened. The clothes brought back such painful memories that, although she wanted to say it, too, the words stuck in her throat.
She shoved recollections of Drew in uniform to the back of her mind and instead asked, “How’s it going?”
Disappointment showed clearly in his tired, tired eyes. “It’s … unreal. So much damage. So many lives wrecked. We’re going wherever we’re needed, trying to help. Lots of transportation and logistics are falling to us—water, generators, making trips to collect materials. We’re still clearing wreckage from the pileup on the bridge, too.”
Harper cringed. “I saw that on the news—so many cars. It’s a miracle nobody died.”
“Couple of people still … intensive…” Cam’s face froze for a few seconds, then his words came again. “Opened a path through … traffic still slow.”
A spasm of alarm made her shiver. “Cam … you’re going in and out.”
He unfroze and was now standing outside the truck. “You there?”
“I’m here.”
“Service is sketchy as hell—I’m not getting very many calls. Texts aren’t coming through, and I can’t get online to get my email. I feel really disconnected. No idea how long we’ll even hang on to this call.” He blinked and shook his head as if to clear it. “No whining, though, because you’re exactly what I need to see right now. Hey, you’re in my studio. How’s the dower chest?”
Clearly, he didn’t want to talk about Port Mission or the earthquake’s devastation, so she offered the sunniest smile she could muster. “Done. Take a look.” She turned her phone and aimed it at the dower chest, walking slowly so he could see each side, then opening it to show him how well the hinges and lid had come together. A little thrill went through her as he oohed and ahhed over their work.
She turned the camera back to herself. “I’ve got a surprise for you.”
Curiosity showed through the exhaustion in his expression. “Yeah? What is it?”
She reached into the chest and lifted the front of the till to reveal the two secret drawers. Pulling one of them out, she held it up to her phone screen. “Look.” On the inside of the drawer, she’d painted a small red heart. “There’s one in each drawer. So, when your mom opens them up to tuck away any treasures, she’ll see your heart. You just have to sign the piece when you get home.”
When she turned the phone back around, the expression on Cam’s face made her breath catch in her throat. His eyes glimmered with tears and his lips twisted slightly before he swallowed hard. “Harp, that’s beautiful.” His deep voice was a little choked. “Thank you.”
She blinked back the tears burning behind her eyelids. “I thought it would be fun,” she said finally and her voice cracked, too. “I’m going to put a big red bow on it and then drape that lightweight blue nylon cover over it so your mom won’t see it until you’re ready.”
“Perfect, thank you.” Cam ran a hand over his face, cleared his throat, and his smile reappeared as if by magic. “Are my parents in town yet?”
“Anna’s headed to the airport in Louisville to pick them up sometime this afternoon, I think.” Harper closed the dower chest and paced around the workshop. “She says they’ll probably be in your kitchen tomorrow to start getting stuff together for Christmas dinner.”
He chuckled. “Yeah. Mom’ll be baking her famous yeast rolls, and Dad makes this amazing cranberry cake. You’ll love it.”
“Do you think you’ll be here?” The question came out small and quiet, almost fearful.
“Dunno. There’s so much to do here. Everyone’s working double and triple shifts. Crews from as far away as Indy are down here trying to restore power. They’ve got part of the lines back up, but one of the substations is a wreck.” He lifted one shoulder. “Morton mentioned another unit coming down to relieve us, but he hasn’t said when.”
“Cam…” Harper hesitated. Should she ask what he’d seen? Would he want to talk about it? Drew never shared anything from his deployments, yet she was sure he saw horrible things. Did it help to talk about it? “Are you okay, really? Do you want to talk about it?”
He slipped off his glasses and rubbed his eyes, and once again, his voice came out uneven. “Search-and-rescue is pretty much over. The death toll was less than expected, so that’s good, but hospitals are just overwhelmed. They’re air-transporting patients to Memphis and St. Louis and taking them to smaller-town hospitals by ambulance, taxi, Uber … anyone with transportation who’s willing to help. The schools and churches in neighboring towns have opened their doors to folks whose houses are either gone or too dangerous to enter. Part of my crew is going house to house in the downtown area, checking to see if the homes are safe for the owners to return. So many people are just wandering around … not sure what to do next.”
Harper’s heart ached. “Dear Lord, those poor people.”
He gave her a half-smile. “Deke’s second truckload showed up yesterday at the high school, which FEMA has turned into the operations center. It was good to see him. Semis are coming in every day from all over the country. There’s lots of help.”
“What can I do for you?”
“Tell me you miss me.” His weary expression made her throat ache. How could she not admit what was true anyway?
“I do.” She put all her emotions into her answer, but the call was starting to break up for some reason. “Cam?”
“I … here … Harper … I…” His face froze again, and his voice went in and out.
She wanted to tell him her plans before the call was lost. “Cam, I’m heading up to Michigan this afternoon, but—” A loud buzzing sound interrupted her. “Cam?” She pulled the phone back, staring in frustration at his frozen image. “I’ll be back for Christmas dinner with your family, Cam. Will you?”
“Harper, why are … going … you … there? Can you … me?” His broken words sent a shaft of disappointment through her. Had he heard her say she’d be back?
She watched and listened for another minute or two, but got nothing. Disappointment swelling in her chest, she ended the call and shot him a text. But all she got was the Sent notice, so she had no idea if it had gone through. She’d try again later. Right now, she needed to cover up the chest, lock the studio, and get on the road.
*
“’Sup?” Carter came around the end of the truck with a handful of paperwork and a couple of candy bars. He tossed one to Cam. “Breakfast.”
Cam caught it with both hands. “Thanks. Talking to Harper, but the call dropped.”
“That’s how it’s been since we got down here—even this far away from the site. Hell, I know Felicia and the kids are sending me texts, but hardly any are coming through. Dunno if mine to her are making it or not. But she’s used to not hearing anything when I’m deployed. Your girl should be, too. Be nice to find a pay phone somewhere.”
Not my girl yet.
Cam released a frustrated breath. “Haven’t seen one of those in years.” He tossed the candy bar from one hand to the other, frustration over losing his call with Harper making him antsy. “Might still be one in the back of Deke’s Market.”
“Where’s that?”
“River’s Edge.”
“Is that near here?” Carter’s eyes lit with curiosity as he glanced up from the paperwork he was flipping through. But then he sobered as Cam merely gazed at him over the top of his glasses. “Oh, dammit. That’s your hometown, isn’t it?”
Cam grinned and nodded, then whistled to the other two soldiers who were making their way across the parking lot with a tray of steaming coffee cups. “Let’s get loaded up,” he called.
*
Lake St. Clair gleamed in the early evening light, not yet frozen or even carrying a skim of ice. Gentle waves lapped against the sea wall at the harbor where Harper had stopped to say hello to the lake, a tradition since she was a tiny child. Whenever her family had been away from St. Clair Shores, they always stopped on the way home to greet the lake. The breeze off the water ruffled her hair, sending a shiver down her back, so she hopped back in the car and drove the half mile to her childhood home.
Mom had the front door open before Harper had even turned off the engine, and her welcoming smile flooded Harper’s insides with warmth. “Mama!” she called from the driveway as she hip-checked her car door closed and ran lightly up the brick sidewalk.
“Oh, baby girl.” Kathy Higgins’s eyes shone with tears as she pulled Harper into a fierce hug.
Harper clung tight to her mother, letting the familiar scent of lavender and lemon soap fill her senses.
“Come in, come in.” Kathy finally released her and held the door open. “Don’t worry about your stuff. Dad’ll get it. John, Harper’s home!” she called as Harper stepped into the foyer. Tears filled her own eyes as the heavenly scents of pine and cinnamon and sweet sugar cookies wafted over her. Ah, Christmas.
Her dad, big and burly, turned up in the kitchen doorway. “Harp! Look at you!” Had his hair become more salt-and-pepper since she’d seen him six months ago? That hadn’t been so obvious on FaceTime.
She hurled herself in his arms. “Daddy!” Kissing his bristly cheek, she ran a hand over the stubble. “This is new.”
He grinned and rubbed his chin. “Thought I’d see how white it’s gotten.”
“Pretty white, Dad.” She kissed him again. “I like it.”
“Yeah?” His dark green eyes, so like her own, twinkled. “Your mom says the jury is still out.”
Kathy rolled her eyes. “Not sure I want to be married to Paul Bunyan. Or worse, Santa Claus.” She held out her hands to Harper. “Here, sweetie, give me your coat. Come in and tell us everything. I hope you’re hungry. I’ve got chili on for supper and fresh hot sourdough bread to go with it. Shawna’s upstairs in the shower. We can eat as soon as she gets down.”
Harper suddenly realized she was starving. She’d driven the five and half hours from River’s Edge practically straight through, stopping only once in Dayton for gas, coffee, and a snack. “I only have a small suitcase, Daddy. I’ll come out with you, though, because there’s a box full of presents, too.”
Her mom’s brow furrowed. “You sure you can only stay a couple of days?”
“I want to be back in River’s Edge for Christmas Day. But you guys are coming down for New Year’s Eve, right?” Those plans had been made a few days ago on a FaceTime at Aunt Mary’s. John, Kathy, and Shawna had accepted the invitation to join Mary, Dot, and Harper at the Flahertys’ New Year’s Eve bash, held every December 31 at the winery north of town. Harper was excited to introduce her family to River’s Edge.
As they all settled down at the cozy kitchen table for supper, Shawna flipped her blonde curls and eyed Harper with undisguised curiosity. “Okay, who’s the man?”
“What’re you talking about?” Heat rose in Harper’s cheeks. “Why does there have to be a man?”
Shawna tore off a big chunk of sourdough bread and passed the basket to Harper. “Because, sister dear, you’ve never missed Christmas Day here at Mom and Dad’s. Even after Drew died, you still showed up. Grim, but you showed up. Gotta be a guy.”
“Shawna!” Kathy scolded. “Leave your sister be.”
Harper just chuckled. “Thanks, Mom, but I can handle this nosy punk myself.” She turned to her younger sister, whose eyes had widened. Harper had been so closed up since Drew’s death, and although Shawna had been kind and sympathetic at first, the ten years’ difference in their ages meant she was too young to fathom the depth of Harper’s grief. Several times, she’d encouraged Harper to move on—get a new life. “Sis, I tell ya what. If there’s ever a man in the picture, you’ll be the first … um, no wait, not the first; probably not even the tenth to know. Since when have I ever shared my love life or lack thereof with you?”
Shawna squinted and lifted her chin. “I was first to know when Drew proposed.”
“No, Theo was first. You just happened to be lurking on the sun porch when I told her.”
“That’s not how I remember it.”
Harper grinned, shrugged, and took another bite of chili, savoring the spicy taste of home. “And you know, little sister, I’m actually taking your advice. I’m moving on.”
“Aha! I knew there was a new man!”
“A new life,” Harper corrected gently.
Cameron Walker was too new to discuss yet. She had to wait to see what happened when he came home. See what the time away had done to the two of them. She only knew she missed him desperately.
“I got a job at the arts center in River’s Edge—I’m going to be teaching watercolor and sketching classes and helping Jazz—she’s the director—run the center. Plus, I moved into my own place.” She set her spoon in her bowl and folded her hands on the table and took a deep breath. “And … I’m going to sell the house.”