“Well, that was awkward,” Will said. “Are you ok?”
Unlike Nina, Harper was an easy read. At least, that’s what Finn always said, and apparently, it was true. “It was just so unexpected, that’s all,” she replied before taking a long slug of beer.
“Forgive me for saying so, but she seemed kind of…cold.”
Harper felt the corners of her lips turn up. “That’s putting it mildly.”
“Is it because you’re here with me, or is she always that way?”
“Both, I guess. We don’t have what you would call a close relationship.”
“I can see why. What did she mean about Blake’s birthday dinner? If you don’t mind me asking?”
Harper shook her head. “It was Blake’s mom’s idea. She’s making dinner as a way of honoring Blake on his birthday.”
Will nodded. “How do you feel about that?”
Twirling the beer glass around on the table, she said, “At first, I thought it was a good idea, but now, I don’t know. It seems kind of strange, doesn’t it? I mean, birthdays are meant for celebrating, and it feels odd celebrating when Blake’s not there.”
“Are you close to his parents?”
“I was when Blake was alive. They’re wonderful people, don’t get me wrong, but it’s harder to maintain a relationship with them now that the person who connected us is gone.”
Will nodded again, and suddenly, Harper realized that she had done most of the talking and it had primarily been about her dead husband. “Oh God, Will. I’m so sorry. This is probably totally depressing to you.”
He reached out and placed his hand over hers. “It’s ok, Harper. I get that losing your husband was a major event in your life, and I don’t mind listening.”
Staring into his hazel eyes, she felt—grateful. Here was a handsome young man who could have been out having a great time with his friends, but instead, he was sitting there letting her cry in her beer. Well, not literally. But she probably could have if she’d let herself. Running into Nina had really thrown her for a loop. I wonder if Nina will tell her parents she saw me here with Will?
Will glanced down at his watch and said, “I hate to do this, but I really should go. Are you going to be ok tonight?”
“Yes, of course. I’ll be fine,” she said, noticing that he still hadn’t removed his hand from atop hers. And then it struck her that maybe that was all it would ever be for her and Will. He was kind and caring and a terrific listener, but she didn’t feel that spark with him. She’d wanted to, hoped to, but it just wasn’t there, and she knew that feeling wasn’t something one could conjure up.
Gently extracting her hand, she stood up and put on her coat while Will did the same.
On the way out the door, Will placed his hand on the small of her back, and when Harper looked over her shoulder, she saw Nina sitting at a corner table with her friends, watching her.
Chapter 8
The second Harper stepped into the house, she knew something was wrong. For one, Daisy greeted her at the door without her usual enthusiasm, and two, it felt like an icebox inside. Shaking the snow of her coat, she removed her boots and then scooped up Daisy and went down the hall to check the thermostat. The temperature was set at seventy degrees in the winter, but the number on the read-out said fifty-nine.
“Just great!” Harper said. The furnace must have stopped working hours ago, and she hadn’t been home to notice. As the evening went on, and with the snowstorm picking up, the temperature was bound to drop even further.
Slumping down on the couch, she looked at Daisy and said, “Now what are we going to do?” She didn’t bother going downstairs to look at the furnace because she hadn’t a clue as to what she was looking for. She thought about calling a repair shop, but it was after eight o’clock, and she doubted that they’d be open. If only Blake were here. He’d know what to do.
“I guess we’ll have to snuggle up under a pile of blankets and call someone in the morning,” she said as she held Daisy close to her chest. And then it struck her. Who did she know that was handy and had a solution for everything? Finn! She immediately pulled out her phone from the back pocket of her jeans, but then she paused.
“I just told him that I didn’t want to depend on him so much, and now look, he’s the first person I thought to call.” Daisy licked Harper’s hand where she’d spilled beer on it earlier, seemingly unaware of her owner’s distress.
Harper’s fingertips were already feeling cold, and she buried them into Daisy’s soft fur to warm them up. “Ok, this is stupid. I can either sit here and freeze all night, or I can call Finn and ask for help.”
Upon hearing Finn’s name, Daisy perked up her ears and sniffed the air.
Harper giggled. “It’s ok, sweetie. The big lug isn’t that bad!” Standing up, she walked over to the window to see the snow falling in large clumps, quickly adding to the coating that was already on the ground. It was a pretty scene, and she would have been content to stay inside and watch the snow fall if her toes weren’t already going numb.
“That’s it,” she decided, setting Daisy down. She brought up Finn’s number and tapped on the call button before she could talk herself out of it.
Just when she was about to give up, he answered, sounding slightly out of breath. “Are you ok?”
Harper rolled her eyes. “Why would you assume something’s wrong? Can’t I be calling just to say hello?”
“Is that why you’re calling?” he asked skeptically.
“No. Something’s wrong.”
He chuckled loudly in her ear, so loudly, in fact, that Daisy whimpered where she sat by Harper’s feet.
“You scared Daisy.”
“She needs to grow some balls.”
“Hey!”
“So, tell me what’s wrong. It can’t be the car this time, because you picked up the new one today, right?”
“Yes. The car is great. It’s the house that sucks.”
“Leaky faucet again?”
“Nope.”
“Hot water heater on the fritz?”
“Guess again.”
“Furnace out?”
“Bingo!”
“Shit.”
“Exactly.”
“I don’t suppose you know how to build a fire.”
“You’re kidding me, right? I’m afraid to light a candle, let alone set large chunks of wood on fire.”
Finn laughed again. “Give me twenty minutes, and I’ll be there.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Hell if I know, but I can at least look at the thing.”
“I thought you knew all.”
“Heating and cooling isn’t my area of expertise, but I can plow your driveway while I’m there.”
“You might have to because, if I don’t have heat, I’m going to have to stay somewhere else tonight.”
“I hear Hotel O’Brien has excellent service.”
Harper choked on her own spit. “Um, as generous an offer as that is…”
“I’m teasing. Let’s see if I can fix your furnace, and then we’ll worry about where you’re sleeping tonight.”
“Ok. Thanks.” But there was no reply because Finn had already hung up.
He showed up twenty minutes later as promised, resembling a lumberjack in his red and black plaid coat and chunky brown boots. She noticed that once again, he hadn’t bothered with a hat, gloves, or, heaven forbid, a scarf, and she couldn’t suppress a grin.
“Oh, so now you’re happy to see me. Now that I’m here to save you from frostbite!”
For once, Daisy didn’t yip at him. She just sat on the floor and stared up at him as if she knew he was there to rescue them. Fickle dog!
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m always happy to see you,” Harper said flippantly. And when Finn smiled, she realized that it was true. There was just something about him…
“Damn, it’s cold in here,” he teased, and he brushed past her to get to the thermostat. Harpe
r and Daisy hovered nearby while Finn flipped open the little lid that housed the thermostat controls and peered at them.
Harper didn’t pretend to understand what he was looking for. It had been well documented that she wasn’t the least bit mechanically inclined—thus the need for men like Blake and Finn, who always seemed to know what to do.
“There’s another one of these upstairs, right?”
Harper nodded.
“Lead the way.”
The last time Finn had been in her bedroom was over a year ago, when she’d been down with the flu. He’d insisted on visiting her even though her mom had been staying with her at the time. He’d even brought her a steaming container of chicken noodle soup that he’d picked up from the local deli, and he’d practically force-fed it to her, insisting that it would help her get better.
Now she felt a twinge of discomfort as he followed her into the bedroom, because, other than being cold, she was perfectly healthy.
After checking the thermostat there too, he turned to her and said, “I don’t think you’re sleeping here tonight.”
“I was afraid of that.”
“I’ll check the furnace unit itself, but you might want to start packing a bag.”
With that, Finn left the room, leaving her standing there weighing her options. Her parents played cards every Friday night, alternating hosting duties with their friends. If it was their night to host, she’d be coerced into playing cards with a bunch of their old cronies until all hours—not high on her list of favorite things to do. Regardless, they lived in Fenton, which was a thirty-minute drive on a clear day. It would probably take double or triple that in the snowstorm. Then there was her sister, McKayla, who rented a one-bedroom apartment in the nearby community of Lake Orion. Harper could probably crash on her sister’s couch; however, McKayla was allergic to dogs, and as much as she adored Daisy, having her there might set off a severe allergic reaction that could land her in the emergency room. Harper didn’t want that on her conscience along with everything else she’d been feeling guilty about lately. Her last hope was Julia; however, she’d been cagey when Harper had asked her what her plans were for the evening. Harper had a feeling that Julia might be going out with Mystery Man again, and the last thing she wanted was to crash Julia’s private party, if she were even at home.
She was still standing in the middle of her bedroom when Finn reentered. “You haven’t moved,” he said.
“Just hoping that you fixed it.”
“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it looks like the circuit board blew. All we can do is call around and try to get someone to come out tomorrow. Although, with this weather, there’s probably a waiting list. You might not have heat until Monday.”
“Monday! You’re kidding, right?”
Finn shook his head. “My offer still stands. I have two extra bedrooms and a stocked fridge. You’re welcome to stay as long as you need to.”
“What about Daisy?”
“Daisy too, if she doesn’t mind bunking with Hunter.”
Harper sighed, realizing that it was the most practical solution. She prayed that Finn was wrong about how long it might take to get the furnace fixed. She could handle one night, but if it dragged out any further, she’d look for an alternative. She told herself it was because she didn’t want to put him out, but there was another reason too. Given the way she’d been feeling lately, staying under the same roof with Finn for an entire weekend would be like flirting with danger.
“Ok,” she finally said.
A flicker of surprise crossed his face, and she waited for some teasing remark, but instead, he said, “I’ll plow the driveway while you pack,” and then he turned and walked out of the room.
An hour later, Harper was sipping a cup of hot chocolate on Finn’s leather couch with Daisy curled up beside her. Finn and Hunter were sitting opposite of them on his leather recliner, where Hunter eyed Daisy hopefully. The beagle had already tried to get Daisy to play with him, going as far as bringing her a ball and dropping it at her feet, but she wasn’t having any of it. She’d simply turned up her nose, hopped up on the couch, and made herself at home.
“Now, isn’t this better than sitting inside an ice box?” Finn asked before taking another sip of hot chocolate.
“Much,” she admitted.
It had been a while since she’d been at his house, and she casually looked around as they sipped their drinks companionably. The room was filled with masculine, sturdy furniture, a big screen TV, and a slew of outdoor magazines that were scattered on the end tables. There were two framed pictures on the fireplace mantel: one of Finn and his brothers proudly holding up fish on their lines and one of his parents smiling sweetly at each other. The house lacked decorations, but it seemed fitting for the man who owned it. Straightforward, unfussy, and simple.
“I suppose you know someone I can call about the furnace tomorrow,” she said.
“I know a few guys, but like I said, don’t get your hopes up. I’m sure you’re not the only one in this predicament.”
Nodding, she said, “Well, don’t worry about me getting in your way. I have a photo shoot tomorrow, and I’ll be gone most of the afternoon.”
“Can’t you reschedule it?”
“Why?”
“Because the roads might not be plowed.”
“Isn’t that what my four-wheel drive is for?”
“Yes, but if you don’t have to go out, I wouldn’t.”
“What about you? Won’t you be going out?”
“Well, yeah. But I have to if I want to make any money.”
“Same here,” she said, arching her eyebrows at him.
She and Blake had acquired a decent nest egg; however, it wasn’t enough for her to sit back and do nothing. Besides, she loved her job, and it helped keep her sane.
“Where’s the photo shoot at? Maybe I could drop you off and pick you up after.”
“It’s in Clarkston, but that’s not necessary. I’ll be fine,” she said.
Surprisingly, he didn’t argue. Instead, he stood up and asked, “Refill?”
“No thanks. I think Daisy and I are ready for bed. It’s been a long day.” She stood too and followed Finn into the kitchen, where he rinsed out their cups and put them into the dishwasher. That was another thing she’d noticed about his house. It was no slovenly bachelor pad. Even though it was an older home, everything was neat and organized.
“I’ll be gone when you wake up tomorrow. Help yourself to anything in the fridge.”
“I will. Just leave me some names and numbers of who to call about the furnace.”
Finn shook his head. “I’ll take care of it.”
“Finn,” she protested.
“You’ll probably get faster service if I call.”
Shoving her hands on her hips, she said, “Some people might accuse you of being chauvinistic.”
“Are you?”
He’d leaned back against the kitchen counter, his arms crossed over his bulky chest, and now he waited expectantly for her answer.
“No. But that’s only because I know you.”
He smiled then, a slow curling grin that transformed his face. Without it, he sometimes looked surly and unapproachable, but Harper knew that he was neither of those things. Aside from Blake, he had the softest heart of any man she’d ever known.
They eyed each other in silence for a few beats until Daisy scratched her pant leg. “I think it’s time for bed,” she said, referring to Daisy, but Finn’s eyes suddenly took on a darker hue.
Clearing his throat loudly, he said, “Yeah. I’m going to turn in too.”
It felt extremely odd walking down the hallway to the bedrooms with Finn right behind her. He’d already placed her bags in the room at the farthest end of the hall, which also had an attached bathroom. His bedroom was the first one on the right, and they both paused at the doorway.
“If you need anything during the night, don’t hesitate to wake me up. Also, it takes a whil
e for the water to heat up, so be aware when you take a shower in the morning.”
“Ok. Thanks.”
It seemed like they were both reluctant to separate, or maybe she was just imagining it. Finally, he said, “Sleep well, Harper.”
“You too,” she said, and turning away, she hurried into the guest room. She heard his door close at the same time she closed hers, and she wondered if he’d still been standing there watching her.
She was still on edge as she prepared for bed, her ears perked up to every sound. She told herself it was because she was in a strange place, but that wasn’t the real reason. If she were being honest, it was because she knew that Finn was right across the hall. While she stripped off her clothes, she wondered if he were changing too. Did he wear pajamas? Somehow, she thought not. If he couldn’t be bothered with winter gear, why bother with pajamas? Boxers or briefs, then? Or maybe nothing at all.
Peering into the bathroom mirror, she saw she was blushing, and she turned on the cold water and splashed her face. Stop thinking about Finn naked right now, she scolded. But she was still imagining it when she slipped under the covers a few minutes later. She’d seen Finn in swim trunks on several occasions, which was as close as she’d come to seeing him naked. Even then, with Blake by her side, she’d noticed Finn’s impressive physique. It was impossible not to, and she and Blake had even joked about it. “Now you see what I had to compete with all those years,” Blake had said, but his comment had been entirely without malice. Harper remembered hugging him and saying, “You’re all I see,” which had been true at the time.
And it should still be true, she reminded herself. She tried to replace Finn’s image with one of Will, but try as she might, she couldn’t picture Will in anything but his wool coat and Burberry scarf. And then she went through a list of popular celebrities, from the Hemsworth brothers to Zac Efron to the deceased Paul Newman. She’d always been drawn to a man’s eyes, and thinking about Paul Newman’s dazzling blue orbs brought her right back around to Finn. “Damn it,” she said and then quickly covered her mouth with her hands.
Daisy stirred at her feet, but other than that, she didn’t hear a peep. Finn was probably sound asleep by now, oblivious to the fact that she was thinking about him naked. What would he think if he knew? Would he be appalled, flattered, shocked? All of the above? In all the years she’d known him, he’d never said or done anything to make her believe that he thought of her as anything but Blake’s wife. He might have thrown out a compliment here or there, but he’d never said anything suggestive. To use his own word, he’d been non-threatening.
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