Page 128 of Redeeming Harmony

“Can I borrow your car? I’m not sure mine will make it into town, and I need to talk to Nathan.”

“He’s not here,” Warren said. “He drove to Barcombe this afternoon to be with his family.”

“What? Why?” she said. “Is everything okay?”

“His grandmother was doing poorly. They thought she might have had a heart attack,” he said.

“Oh my God,” Harper said, worry for Nathan and his family rushing over her.

“He texted me just before you got home. His grandmother is all right. She’s in the hospital and resting comfortably while they do more tests. He’s staying with his family for at least the weekend, maybe longer. I told him to take the time he needed and not worry about the clinic.”

Harper bit at her lip. “Should I call or text him?”

She shook her head before Warren could reply. “I think it’s better if I don’t bother him while he’s with his family. He has enough on his plate without having to deal with me too.”

“Well, you know him best, but promise me that you’ll talk to him as soon as he’s back,” Warren said. “The two of you are miserable without each other.”

“I’ll talk to him,” Harper said before wrapping her arms around Warren’s waist and hugging him hard. “I just hope he’ll give me a second chance.”

“He will,” Warren said. “He loves you, poppet.”

Chapter 29

“Harper, once you’re done making the mocha, can you run to the back storage and grab another bag of venti cups?” Hazel asked.

“Sure can.” Harper gave the mocha a final stir, placed the lid on it and handed it to the woman waiting patiently at the end of the counter. “Have a nice day.”

“You too,” the woman said with a distracted smile.

Harper walked to the storage area, grabbed the bag of cups, and headed back toward the front. She passed the row of lockers and ignored her urge to stop at her locker and quickly check her messages. She’d already talked with her dad before work this morning. Nathan had texted Warren last night that he wouldn’t be back until Tuesday.

Harper could wait one more day, even if the urge to text Nathan grew more and more challenging to resist. But what she wanted to say was too important to text him, and even texting him just to ask if he would talk to her when he returned home felt too intrusive. Especially when he was with his family, and they were going through a crisis.

She pushed through the swinging door, switching the bag of cups to her other hand. God, she hoped Nathan’s grandmother was okay. She hated that he was going through this alone, hated that he didn’t have her to talk to, but she had no one to blame but herself. She was the idiot who had pushed him away, and she just had to hope that he gave her a second chance.

“Hazel? Do you want the cups put …”

Her voice died out, and her palms went sweaty, and her knees shook as she stared at the customer standing in front of the counter. “Nathan? Hi.”

“Hey, Harper.” He took the cup of coffee that Hazel held out to him. “Thanks, Hazel.”

“You bet.” Hazel walked away as Harper studied Nathan. He looked exhausted and, her chest tightened, sad. Fearing the worst, she said, “Is your grandmother okay?”

“How did you know about my grandmother?” he asked. His voice was terse, his manner cold, and her hope vanished.

“Dad mentioned it. Is she all right?” She leaned against the counter, tucking her hands behind her back so she wouldn’t do something stupid like try to take Nathan’s hand.

“She is. It wasn’t a heart attack,” he said.

“I’m so glad to hear that. I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow. Dad mentioned that too,” Harper said before he could ask.

He shrugged. “Changed my mind. I gotta go, but I wanted to let you know that I saw my vet friend while home and showed him your art. He’s interested in purchasing some of them.” He shoved his hand into his pocket and produced a piece of paper. “Here’s his phone number. His name’s Andrew. Text him, and he’ll let you know which ones he wants.”

She stared blankly at the piece of paper on the counter. “You showed him my art?”

“I said I would, didn’t I?” he said.

“Well, yes, but I thought…”

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