Page 63 of Fake It Till We Fall
Grandma pursed her lips together and nodded. “I have to admit, he’s okay.”
“Grandma.” I rolled my eyes. “He’s better than okay.”
“He’s not you, Harper.” She eyed me sharply. “You know you’re the best person for this job.”
I sucked in a breath. It was the first time she’d said anything directly about me coming back to run the restaurant.
I set my spoon down and turned to her. “Grandma, do you want me to move back to Trickle Creek and run the restaurant?”
She hesitated for a second before shaking her head slowly. “I want the only thing I’ve ever wanted, Harper. For you to be happy.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
“You know how proud I am of all you’ve done with your career.”
I nodded. She told me every chance she got how proud of me she was of what I’d achieved.
“This place was never your dream,” she continued, a layer of sadness in her voice. “It was mine. And I’ve loved every minute of running Willa’s Whisk. And yes, there was part of me who hoped you’d come back on your own, take over the kitchen and maybe put down some roots in Trickle Creek.”
My heart clenched. “Grandma, I didn’t say?—”
“Speaking of happy.” Grandma’s voice shifted, and she looked over my shoulder. “There’s the happiest baby I’ve ever seen.”
I turned around, spoon in hand, to see Charli, with baby Poppy strapped to her chest, enter the kitchen. Just like always, the baby was grinning and giggling.
“Sorry I’m late. This little one decided she didn’t want to put her coat on.” Charli shook her head. She lifted the two big bags she was holding. “I have the cookies.”
“Thank you, dear.” Grandma pointed to the counter. “Set them over there. We’ll box them up next.”
“I don’t believe for one second that this one gave you any trouble at all.” I wiped my hands on a towel and reached for the baby, whose grin only got wider. “Let me have her.”
“Gladly.” Charli unclipped the Snuggly and handed me the baby.
I tucked Poppy against my chest, her tiny hands patting at my chest, her sweet laughter bubbling out. My heart softened instantly.
“See?” I nuzzled her soft hair. “This little sweetie pie was born smiling.”
“Don’t let her fool you.” Charli laughed. “She knows how to work a crowd. But you should see her at three in the morning.”
Grandma chuckled, shaking her head. “She reminds me of you at that age, Harper. Always soaking up all the attention.”
Charli grinned. “I could see that.”
I rolled my eyes and focused on the baby. She really was a doll. I’d never had the baby fever that other women my age spoke about, but then again, I hadn’t been around a lot of people having babies in the last few years.
Charli looked so at ease with her little girl, like she was born to be a mother. With her husband and flower shop business, she’d built a solid life in Trickle Creek. I, on the other hand, had been living out of a suitcase for more than a decade, chasing seasons and contracts, never staying anywhere or with anyone long enough to feel like I truly belonged.
Poppy’s little fist closed around my finger, squeezing tight, and something twisted in my chest.
“Looks like she likes you,” Charli said warmly.
“She’s such a cutie.”
Charli tilted her head, studying me for a beat. “Feels good, doesn’t it? Being back?”
I hesitated, my throat tight. “Yeah,” I admitted. “It does.”
Her smile was warm as she nodded. “It looks good on you.”
