With nothing to lose, she decided she might as well see if there were enough people looking for accountant help in the area to keep her gainfully employed. If not, she could always commute to The Dalles.
Quickly making a list of the things she’d need to open her office, she concluded a thorough cleaning was the first order of business.
After running to the store and returning with cleaning supplies, she scrubbed the bathroom from top to bottom, surprised it had a newer vanity and tile floors. She cleaned the back storage area then pulled out a lime green shag carpet, once she confirmed hardwood floors hid beneath it. In good condition, the wooden floor just needed a good cleaning and waxing. She spent the rest of the day knocking down cobwebs and washing the large front window that filled the space with light.
The landlord assured her she could do whatever she liked in the space as long as she didn’t do anything destructive. The lease had a very short list of things that were prohibited, like starting a fire inside the building, so Harper didn’t think she’d have any problem following the rules.
The next morning, she forced Uncle Cletus to go with her to The Dalles where she bought office furniture, a refrigerator, and microwave then arranged for the store to make a delivery. Next, she purchased paint and set an appointment to have a sign painted on the window.
She and Cletus ate lunch before returning home. Harper changed into her oldest, rattiest jeans and sweatshirt then headed to her new office to paint every inch of wall space.
The walls looked fresh and clean when she finished applying a second coat of buttery yellow paint. All the trim bore a coat of bright white paint.
Pleased with her efforts, Harper cleaned the paint roller and brushes in the small sink in the back room. When she finished, she added more items to her shopping list.
Once she’d waxed the hardwood floors, she was ready to start moving in.
Another trip to The Dalles resulted in finding a couch and two end tables at a thrift store that would look perfect in the waiting area she planned to set up by the door. Back at the office, she realized she needed more help than General could provide in moving the couch inside.
With a stroke of luck, she saw Trey Thompson walk out of a business down the street and called to him.
He turned and waved, hurrying her direction.
“Harper Hayes? What on earth are you doing?” Trey asked, giving her a hug. “I thought you moved back to Boise.”
“I did,” Harper said with a grin. General wagged his rump as Trey patted his head. “I managed to stay a few days before I got homesick for Sherman County. I decided to take your advice and open my own accounting office here.”
“You did?” Trey asked with a hopeful gleam in his eye. “And this is it?”
“Yep. Want to see?” Harper asked, unlocking the door and stepping aside so Trey could enter.
“Wow! You have this place looking nice. Weren’t the walls a sickly shade of orange?” Trey wrinkled his nose, making her laugh.
“Yeah, they were. And it had shag carpeting. Lucky for me, these nice hardwood floors were just waiting to be uncovered.”
“This is great, Harper. May I please sign up to be your first client? I don’t have time to keep up with the books like I should. Cady tries, but with Cass and the boys, and cooking for everyone twice a day, she has even less time than I do.”
“Welcome to Sunny Accounting, Mr. Thompson.” Harper held out a hand and Trey shook it with a smile.
“Sunny Accounting, huh?” He looked at the yellow walls and sunlight streaming in the front window. “I think that’s a great name, Harper, and it fits your personality, too. You let me know when you are officially open for business and I’ll bring the paperwork over.”
“Thank you, Trey. I appreciate that. I’m hoping to generate enough business to make it feasible for me to stay. I signed a year’s lease, so by this time next year I’ll either be doing well or flat-broke.”
“I predict you’ll have more than enough business to keep you busy. If you need help with anything, just let us know,” Trey said as they stepped outside.
“Actually…” Harper smiled and tipped her head toward the back of her pickup. “If you have a minute and wouldn’t mind, can you help me carry that couch inside?”
“That thing looks heavy. If you can wait until I get one of the guys here, we can do it for you.” Trey started to take out his phone, but Harper shook her head.
“I promise I’m stronger than I look. Let’s just try. If I decide it’s too heavy, I’ll not say a word while you call in the troops.”
Trey grinned. “Deal.” He opened the tailgate and Harper climbed inside the bed of the pickup. While she pushed, he pulled. He balanced the weight of the couch as she hopped down and lifted her end from where it rested on the edge of the tailgate.
“Oof,” Harper grunted as she hefted the couch and followed Trey as he backed toward the door.
“Are you doing okay, Harper? Is it too heavy for you?”
“I’m fine, keep going,” she said, unwilling to admit Trey was right. The weight of the couch felt like one of his bulls reclined on top of it.
They made it inside and Harper set down her end as soon as she cleared the door.
“Where would you like it?”
Harper pointed to a spot in front of the big window then helped Trey slide it into place.
Before he left, he carried in the end tables then made Harper promise to set up her first appointment with his name in the slot.
“Thanks so much, Trey. I guess I’ll see you all at church on Sunday.”
“You can count on it, Harper, unless Tess decides to go into labor. We’re taking bets on how much longer she’ll make it.”
“I’m telling,” Harper teased as she walked Trey back outside.
“She already knows about it. I think she even placed a bet.”
Harper laughed, grateful to be back around her friends. “Tell the girls to stop by and say hello.”
Trey lifted a hand in the air, acknowledging her request as he hurried down the street to his pickup.
Harper went back to her pickup and removed several bags of items she’d purchased, carrying them inside.
General raced around her before he settled into the dog bed she’d set up for him in a corner, making himself at home.
After she finished covering the couch with a white slipcover, Harper added berry red throw pillows, thinking it looked quite festive. She planned to change the pillows with the seasons, but for now, the red made her think of the approaching holidays.
Inspired, she envisioned a Christmas tree and white lights twinkling around the windows.
Spinning around, she knew she’d made the right decision coming back to Grass Valley — her home.
><><
Trey rushed in the back door at the Triple T and glanced around the kitchen, pleased to see Lindsay and Tess there with Cady.
“You girls are never going to guess who I saw in Moro today.”
“Your Mom?” Cady asked
“My Mom?” Tess questioned.
Lindsay smiled. “I know it wasn’t my mother or you wouldn’t look so excited.”
Cady and Tess laughed.
“Tell us, boss man. The suspense might kill us.” Cady kissed his cheek as she handed him a cup of hot coffee.
Trey took a sip of the dark brew then grinned. “Harper Hayes.”
“What?” Tess squealed.
Cady and Lindsay both shushed her, not wanting their sleeping children to awaken before they got in their full naptime.
“You really saw Harper?” Cady asked.
“Sure did. I even helped her move some furniture into the space she rented in Moro to open her own accounting office. Sunny Accounting is the name of it. She painted the walls yellow and has that old building looking nice. I told her to sign us up as her first clients.” Trey started to take another sip of coffee, but his wife removed the cup from his hand and flung herself into his arms.
“Oh, this is the best news, Trey. She’s really planning to stay?” Cady gazed at him as if he’d just given her a precious gift.
He wrapped his arm around her waist and smiled at her. “She said she signed a year’s lease on the place and hoped to generate enough business to allow her to stay. I think if we put our heads together, we can drum up enough clients that she’ll be too busy to think about leaving.”
“I like the way you think,” Lindsay said, pointing a spoon at Trey. “I know a few people at school who’ve mentioned a need for an accountant.”
“Does she need help with anything?” Tess asked as the wheels spun in her head, plotting ways to get Ben to see Harper. He’d been dragging his feet about tracking her down in Boise. Harper’s return seemed too coincidental to be ignored.
“She said she’d let us know. Maybe you girls could stop by and visit her tomorrow. I think she’ll be there getting things ready. I got the impression she wants to open up shop right away.” Trey picked up the coffee Cady had taken from him and managed a drink before she jostled him again.
“Can you watch the boys for a while tomorrow? I want to run into The Dalles and get a few things to welcome Harper back to town.”
Trey kissed her forehead. “I’d be happy to keep an eye on our little troublemakers.”
“Great. Now, tell us everything you remember about what the inside looks like and Harper’s plans.”
Trey sighed and sank down on a barstool. “I already told you she painted the walls yellow.”
Tess smacked his leg. “Bright yellow? Dark yellow? Calf scour yellow? Canary yellow?”
He laughed. “Light yellow, like butter.”
“That’s better,” Cady said, smiling at her husband. “What else do you recall?”
><><
The following afternoon, Cady, Lindsay, and Tess drove into Moro as soon as Lindsay finished teaching for the day. They parked in front of Harper’s office and gathered their gifts then hurried to the door.
Harper glanced up from where she set files into the drawers of a white credenza and smiled.
“Oh, my goodness! It’s so good to see you girls!” She dropped the files on her desk and hurried over to give them all hugs.
When she got to Tess, she carefully hugged her and placed a gentle hand on her belly. “Are you doing okay?”
“As good as it gets at this point in the game.” Tess smiled and handed Harper a beautiful yellow amaryllis plant in a white ceramic pot.
“This is gorgeous. I’ve never seen an amaryllis this color before.” Harper set the plant on the credenza between two small glass lamps with white shades. The pale yellow flower with the brighter yellow edging looked perfect there.
“It’s called a honeybee amaryllis,” Tess said with a grin. “The color seemed like it would be perfect. We pumped Trey for information after he saw you yesterday.”
“I love this, Tess. Thank you for thinking of me. Can I get you a glass of water or a cup of tea?”
“I think we’re good, but I’m going to sit down,” Tess said, slowly taking a seat on one of the yellow striped side chairs in front of Harper’s desk.
“Your timing is perfect. My office furniture arrived today and I just finished getting it arranged an hour ago.”
“We’re so excited to have you back in town,” Lindsay said. She handed Harper a welcome mat for the door while Cady gave her a leather-bound appointment book.
When she opened the book, she laughed at the note tucked inside reminding her that Trey wanted to be the first appointment.
“Tell your husband, if he’s free, to come in Monday morning at nine. I plan to be open for business next week.”
“You should host an open house so people will know you’re here,” Tess suggested.
“That’s a great idea. Maybe I should plan something the first week of December. It could have a holiday theme.”
“Oh, I love that idea,” Cady said, looking around the cheerful, light-filled space. “This is such a nice open office, Harper. Trey said it used to be dark and dingy in here.”
“It was, but as soon as I pulled out the carpet, painted the walls, and washed the window, it made a huge transformation.”
The women admired Harper’s white desk and cream leather chair, the yellow and white patterned rug beneath her desk, and the painting of yellow and white tulips on the wall.
“I notice even General has his space here.” Lindsay pointed to the dog bed in the corner where the canine dozed.
“Yep. He’s my trusty sidekick. I like having him around and he’s used to being with me. He and Uncle Cletus have called a truce, but I wouldn’t want to test the strength of it for any extended length of time.”
Before they left, Cady invited Harper to the baby shower she was hosting for Tess that Saturday.
“Of course I’ll be there. I wouldn’t miss it for anything,” Harper said, giving Cady a hug as the women prepared to leave. “Thank you all for the lovely gifts and for coming today.”
“Thank you for coming back, Harper. We all missed you,” Tess said. She leaned closer and whispered, “especially Ben.”
Harper gave her a doubtful look then waved as they left.
If Ben Morgan missed her, he sure had a funny way of showing it. He hadn’t called or texted her once since they said goodbye, not that she expected him to.
Still, she felt gratified to know she wasn’t the only one wishing they were still together.
Chapter Eighteen
Absence diminishes little passions
and increases great ones,
as the wind extinguishes
candles and fans a fire.
François VI de la Rochefoucault
Harper adjusted a tray of cookies on the refreshment table for the third time, anxious for the evening to go well.
In half an hour, she’d open the doors of her accounting office for an after-hours holiday open house.
She’d set up a Christmas tree near the window with all white decorations. White lights twinkled around the window and battery-operated candles filled the office with warm light.
Christmas carols played in a continuous loop from the speakers attached to her phone. A table near the back wall held punch, coffee, and an assortment of finger foods. She’d left General at home, but Uncle Cletus promised to keep an eye on him.
While her uncle had raved about how much he liked her office space when she’d shown it to him, he declined her invitation to the open house. He claimed she didn’t need him underfoot and they’d both be happier with him at home.
Although she would have appreciated the support of his presence, he didn’t enjoy being around crowds, especially the size of gathering she hoped to have that evening.
Nervously smoothing a hand over her hair, she hurried into the bathroom and adjusted the bouquet of white carnations she’d set on the counter by the sink then glanced at her reflection. In keeping with her sunny theme, she’d donned a pale yellow silk suit with a cobalt blue lace camisole that accented the color of her hair and eyes.
Satisfied she looked as good as she could, she returned out front and smiled as the Thompson family opened the door and poured inside.
Trey held the door as Travis helped Tess. Four days overdue, the poor girl looked completely miserable as she waddled into the office.
“I’m so glad you all are here. I wasn’t sure how smart it was to plan this on a Tuesday night, but at least it doesn’t interfere with any football broadcasts or school activities.
“I predict you’ll have a great party, Harper,” Trey said, giving her an encouraging smile.
Thanks to the efforts of the Thompson family, she’d already acquired more clients than she anticipated having in the first six months.
After this open house, she hoped to have enough business she could relax and take a deep breath.
“Everything looks amazing, Harper,” Cady said as Trey helped her slip off her coat. He hung it on a wrought iron coat stand by the door.
/> Harper squeezed her friend’s hand with a warm smile. “I appreciate everything all of you have done to help. I couldn’t have gotten started without you.”
“Sure you could have,” Trent said, winking at her. “But it might have taken a little longer.”
Before she formulated a response, people began arriving until the office was full of people laughing and talking. Cady and Lindsay took charge of the refreshment table without being asked. While Harper greeted guests, the two women kept the punch bowl filled and refreshed the trays of food.
Thrilled when she made appointments with four new clients, Harper deemed the evening a huge success. Even if people didn’t utilize her services right away, at least they knew she was available to help them with their accounting needs.
She stood across from the door talking to a couple who owned a gift shop when Ben Morgan strolled in with his parents.
His gaze found and held hers for what seemed like half an eternity. Her fingers began to tremble so violently, she had to set down the cup of punch in her hand before she dropped it.
She hadn’t seen him in more than a month and somehow she’d forgotten how his handsome face made her catch her breath. The sight of his broad shoulders and dark head of hair drew out memories of how much she’d enjoyed being held in his strong arms. Recollections of the decadent flavor of his kisses made her mouth water with wanting.
From the way he studied her with flames flickering in his eyes, she knew he felt the same inexplicable attraction. Rather than fan the fire, she dropped his gaze.
Swiftly drawing on every bit of professionalism and dignity she possessed, she politely excused herself from the couple and made her way over to Mike and Michele Morgan.
Michele gave her a warm hug then Mike shook her hand.
“I’m so happy to see you doing so well, Mr. Morgan.” Harper smiled at the man who had brushed so close to death.
“It’s Mike, and thank you, Harper. It appears you’re really making this old space yours. It looks really nice.”
The Cowboy's Last Goodbye (Grass Valley Cowboys Book 6) Page 22
