Page 97 of Fake It Till We Fall
“Wait. What?” Her words caught me off guard. “What do you mean, a name? It’s Willa’s Whisk.”
“ItwasWilla’s Whisk,” she said simply. “But you can’t call the placeWilla’s.” She shook her head and wrinkled her nose. “Not when it’sHarper’s.”
I glanced at Kevin as if he might hold the answers, but he simply shrugged before excusing himself from the kitchen.
“Grandma, what are you talking about? It’sHarper’s?”
“Exactly what it sounds like.” She pulled a legal envelope I hadn’t noticed before off the shelf and handed it to me. “I had the papers drawn up a few days ago. Right after you told me you were staying.”
With a shaking hand, I took the envelope, but didn’t open it. “Papers?”
Grandma gave me an exceedingly patient smile. “Ownership papers, Harper.” She nodded toward the envelope. “The restaurant officially and legally belongs to you. Make it your own.”
“But…what…” Finally, I slid the papers out of the envelope and saw the documents with my own eyes. But still, it was hard to register what they really meant.
“Grandma. This is too?—”
“It was always meant to be yours, sweetheart. Willa’s Whisk gave me such a great life. A full life. But my time here is done.” She laughed and quickly held up a hand. “And no, I don’t mean my timetimeis done. My time in the restaurant business is done.”
I shook my head and couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Watching the way you followed your dreams has been inspiring, dear. And I think it’s time I did a bit more of that myself.”
I tilted my head. Grandma had never spoken of her dreams. Maybe it was naive or self-absorbed of me, but I’d never stopped to think about what more she might want out of life. “What does that mean?”
Her smile was radiant and untroubled. “It means I’m ready to do a bit more traveling of my own. Visiting you over the years, I got to see all kinds of beautiful places, but I’m not done. I think I’d like to take some cooking classes in Italy. Learn to make pasta the old-fashioned way. And eat all the gelato.” She winked. “Andmaybe drink some wine, too. After that, we’ll see. But I plan on giving you some space to create your own dreams now.”
My heart filled, and the emotion overwhelmed me, making words impossible. Tears slipped from my eyes, and I shook my head until she laughed again and pulled me into a tight hug.
“Oh, Harper.”
“It sounds amazing,” I said finally. “And I’m going to miss you, but I’m so happy for you.”
“And you, dear.” She pulled back, holding me at arm’s length. “I can’t wait to see what you do with the place. But one thing I know for sure is that this town is so lucky to have you back and all the delicious food they’re about to get from you.”
Her faith in me wrapped tighter than the hug she’d just given, and as I tucked the envelope against my chest, one thought echoed louder than the rest. This wasn’t just my home again. It was my future. The place I belonged, with the people I belonged with.
Grayson
The brewery buzzedwith holiday energy. The après crowd was starting to file through the doors after a full day on the ski hill. Peaks & Brews had been a huge success from the moment Ethan had opened the doors.
Fortunately, Brody had already secured a corner table and was halfway through a pint when I slid into the chair across from him.
“You look like a happy man, brother.” Brody raised his glass. “Congratulations.”
I froze, and it took me a minute to realize he was talking about fixing things with Harper, and not the hardware store. Ofcourse, I couldn’t wait to tell all my brothers that news, but only after the love of my life heard it first.
“I am, Brody. I am.”
“It’s good to see, Gray. Really.” Brody poured me a pint from the jug sitting in front of him. “Is there something else going on?” He eyed me suspiciously. “You look like a man who has a secret to spill.”
I laughed and raised my glass to my lips, shrugging.
Brody shook his head. “You care to share?”
“I do.” I turned to look at the door and saw Harper outside, crossing the plaza. “But not yet. She gets to hear it first.” I put the glass down and pushed up from the table.
Brody studied me for a second, but to his credit, he just nodded and tipped his glass. “Fair enough.”
