by Jacie Floyd
“It’s great to meet you,” Harper said. “I love your house. Thank you for letting me stay there.”
“You’re very welcome. Better my place with Cleo than Cora’s Cordial and her multitude of cats. Not that Zach left me much choice, but I hope you liked it. I’m still pulling it into shape, but even when it’s finished, it won’t be fancy.”
“It’s great. I’ll take warm and cozy over fancy any day. I honestly loved it. But even if I didn’t, it would have beat sleeping in my car, which seemed my best option there for a while. So thank you.”
“Happy to help. Well, bro, you ready? Your family’s home, and I was sent to find you. Josh said you were working on something here.” She took note of the empty ice cream bowls then peeked into the kitchen as if searching for any half-finished projects. “I don’t see anything left undone, so let’s go.” She linked her arm through his. “We brought a pot roast with us from the farm. Dad’s getting a little growly from hunger.”
“You can go on,” he said. “I’ve already eaten. I’ll be there in a minute.”
“And had dessert, too, by the looks of it.” An unfriendly gaze swept over Harper. “When should I tell Dad and Josh to expect you?”
“I’m right behind you.” He waved her out the door.
“Nice to meet you, Harper,” she called out as she crossed the yard.
“You, too.” The footsteps faded away. “You should probably go.”
“Right. Call if you need anything.”
“I will.” She couldn’t imagine any situation that would require her to call him. “Thanks for the food and the back adjustment.”
“My pleasure.”
“Your sister’s very protective of you.”
“Tell me about it.”
“She looks a lot like you.”
“Yep, but she looks more like our mom than I do.”
Harper chewed her thumbnail. What had his sister picked up between them that could have made her take such an immediate dislike to Harper? Another strike against her in the Sunnyside Popularity Bowl. “See you tomorrow at the festival.”
“Here’s a tip for you.”
“What?”
“Try the funnel cake. You’ll love it.” Dipping his head, he dropped a casual kiss on her lips before disappearing into the night.
After a morning of unpacking, Harper looked forward to getting out among people and tasting the local treats. No reason why Zach would have, of course, but she’d been a little disappointed he hadn’t stopped by with breakfast again this morning.
After he’d left the night before, she’d gone for a short walk to unwind and had gone by the library to make sure it was secure and unmolested. While she’d been out, she’d located a little grocery store on the brink of closing for the night and managed to stock up on a few supplies.
The town square looked like an explosion of stars and stripes. Booths and people were everywhere with children running around seemingly carefree and unsupervised. Everything about the celebration proclaimed Fourth of the July the way it ought to be. She didn’t recognize many people but met the stares of strangers with a smile and a hello every chance she got. By this time next year—heck, maybe next month—she’d know everyone and be an accepted part of the community.
Checking out an event schedule, she saw that it was nearly time for the softball game a couple of blocks away. While talking to Nathan on the phone, she headed to the game. The first time they’d connected since Monday, Harper had a multitude of details she did and didn’t want to share.
She’d talked to India and Fiona earlier. They were going to a party that night at the shore. They would look stunning, the food promised to be scrumptious, and a gentle ocean breeze would cool things down. Homesickness for them panged, but she set it aside. She’d lived that life already. This was her life now.
On the way to the ballpark, she stopped at a booth and bought an ear of corn—on a stick! When she asked if it was fresh, the woman at the window assured her it was. “The first of the season. Just picked this morning.”
Harper needed half a dozen napkins to keep the butter from running down her chin and dripping on her clothes, but when she bit into the corn, she declared it “Ummm, delicious.” The woman gave her a smile and a nod as she turned to wait on the next in line.
Halfway down the block, Harper was approached by Mike Moran, one of the library volunteers. He was accompanied by his wife and their two-year-old son in a stroller. “I told Heather about the money you’d be paying us, and we both wanted to thank you.”
“Oh, no, I should be thanking you.” Harper hoped they’d mistake her blush for the heat. “The sooner we can reopen the library the better. Skilled workers like you are invaluable.”
“But this helps us out, too,” Heather said. “It’s been a hard summer. Not much construction lately, and this unexpected money will help us get by.”
“When the library reopens, you should bring your little boy in for story hour. We’ll have some other programs he’ll enjoy, too.”
“I will if I can manage around my work schedule,” she said. “He’d like that.”
Except for her interactions with Zach, it was one of the rare times she’d felt welcome since she came to town. One of the rare times she’d met someone from Sunnyside who didn’t resent having her here. The feeling put a fresh spring in her step.
When she reached the baseball diamond, most of the council members were on the field. The warm-up activities seemed more chaotic than organized. Although why anyone would want to play any game under the blistering sun, she couldn’t imagine.
Luckily, she’d brought a hat, water bottles, a towel, and sunscreen in her tote bag. As she headed toward the bleachers, hoping to find space to squeeze in, Barbara Gentry came off the field. “Welcome to the Twenty-Second Annual Softball Game of the Forty-Fourth Annual Fireworks Festival.”
She made a little face at the numbers because Barbara said, “It’s a mouthful, I know, but people keep track of these things. It makes a difference to a lot of people around here.”
“There’s a lot to be said for tradition.”
“That’s right. Now come over here out of the sun and sit with my son.” She gestured to a gorgeous man in a folding lawn chair under a big old shade tree. “It won’t be for long. I always take the field like I’m going to play and then, in the first inning, I fake an injury and they substitute Brady into the game in my place. Act surprised when it happens.”
“And yet another tradition.”
“Brady, meet Harper, the new librarian. Take care of her until I get back. Harper, that’s my son Brady. He’s harmless, but he’ll try to flirt your socks off before you even sit down.”
“For the record, she’s not wearing socks, Mom.” He smiled, and Harper liked the way his eyes crinkled in the corners. “I may have to concentrate on removing one of her other articles of clothing.” He eyed Harper’s halter top, denim mini-skirt, and sandals like he was trying to decide which one to go for.
Handsome and charming and comfortable in his own skin he occupied one of two chairs with a cooler in-between. A much more restful personality than his mother’s frenetic energy or his sister’s sullenness. Now, here was a bona fide hottie with dating potential for her to report to Nathan about. “Would you like a beer, Harper? Water? A soda or lemonade?”
“Lemonade sounds like heaven.”
He pulled a jug from the cooler and poured the beverage into a plastic cup then handed it over. “You must be new in town or we would have met before.”
“I just arrived on Sunday.” She took a sip and almost purred. Delicious.
“Welcome to Sunnyside.” He tipped his glass in salute.
“What about you? Barbara said you’re her son, but you don’t look like Brianna or seem like one of the locals.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. I like it here in small doses, but it’s very confining. I spend part of the time in Sunnyside, where everything is always Up!—with an obligatory e
xclamation point—and part of the time in St. Louis, where I maintain gainful employment.”
“Gainful employment as...” She rolled her hand in a fill-in-the-blank gesture.
“An architect.”
“Interesting,” she said even though her attention kept returning to Zach’s rippling muscles as he warmed up on the field.
“It is.” His attention had also wandered in another direction. “Well, look who’s here.” He stood up as Rachel arrived with an older man and a young couple. The younger man must be Zach’s brother. His features were a distinct combination of his siblings. The group might have waved and passed Brady and Harper by, but he stepped out of the shady circle to greet them.
“Hey, Josh.” Brady held up his hand for a complicated high-five and then leaned in to hug the pretty girl beside him. “You’re looking good, Susannah. All grown up and gorgeous. I don’t know how I didn’t notice that before. You know you can do better than one of the Novak boys, don’t you?”
She beamed, but answered right back, clutching Josh’s hand tightly. “Oh, no. Now that I’ve caught him again, I’m not letting him go this time.”
Brady turned to the older man and shook his hand. “Gene, how are you, sir? I heard they threw quite the birthday bash for you last weekend. Sorry I missed that.” When he turned to Zach’s sister, he held back from physical contact, but his eyes ate her up. His animation dimmed, and everything about him toned down a few notches. “Hello, Rachel.”
She extended a frosty greeting. At first, Harper thought the chill was directed her way but then decided it was Brady who was getting the big freeze.
“Here to watch Zach play?” he asked the group but his gaze settled on Rachel.
“Obviously.” She sniffed and raised her chin.
“He’s bound to be the star of the show. He usually is.”
“He’s a great ballplayer,” Mr. Novak said. “But you had your moments, too.”
“We shared some good times on the ball field back in the day. I haven’t played much this summer, but Mother will insist I get into the game if there’s an opportunity.”
“Zach hasn’t played much this year either.” Mr. Novak removed his cap and mopped sweat off his forehead with his sleeve. “But he wouldn’t miss this one.”
“Have all of you met the new librarian? This is Harper Simmons. Harper, this is all the Novak family except for Zach, who’s on the field showing off.”
“No, here he comes now,” Josh said.
And sure enough, here came Zach and Kate.
If there had been some odd undercurrents before, the arrival of Zach and Kate turned their little corner of the field into a swirling quagmire. Although she pretended not to be interested, Rachel kept watch on Brady out of the corner of her eye while throwing Harper disdainful looks. Zach played it cool, but his attention kept returning to Harper while Brady focused on Rachel. And Kate kept a careful watch on... well, Rachel.
“Glad you could make it.” Zach stepped closer to Harper. “Have you met the rest of my family?”
“Brady did the honors,” Josh said.
Mr. Novak and Josh seemed friendly enough, but Susannah was more reserved in her response.
“Are you enjoying the festival?” Zach asked Harper.
“So far. When will the game start?”
“In about ten minutes.” He looked toward the field to see what was going on. “We’d better get back, though. Enjoy the game.” He took a few backward steps. “See you later, Brady.”
“Sure,” Brady agreed. “Let’s meet up tonight at the Lucky Dog so I can beat you at pool.”
“You can try,” Zach shot back with a grin.
“And the trash talk begins,” Rachel muttered. “Even when you’re on the same team, you’re so competitive.”
“Now, Rachel,” Zach said as if explaining the laws of the universe to his sister, “it’s not really competition if the two players aren’t even in the same league.”
Brady laughed. “I didn’t know you realized that. I’ll try to go easier on you from now on.”
With a grin, Zach pulled Kate back to the field. “Don’t bother. I can beat your sorry ass straight-up any day of the week.”
“Hah.” Kate jumped neatly into the rivalry. “Neither one of you guys can hit a softball farther than I can.”
“You’re on,” Brady declared. “Shortest ball or most strikeouts buys beer after the fireworks.”
“Works for me,” Zach said. “I’ll be good and thirsty after I hit one out of the park.”
“Bring your money,” Kate advised before turning a puppy-dog look on Rachel. “You’re coming to the Lucky Dog, too, aren’t you?”
Rachel’s gaze flickered toward Brady. “Not sure.”
“You’re still going to help at the Cheerleader’s Bake Sale booth, though. Right?”
“I am,” Rachel agreed. “What time do you need me?”
“Whenever you’re ready.” Kate gave Rachel a look of longing before jogging onto the field.
As took the field, Brady urged the Novaks sit. “Join me, please. Hang on. I’ll set up more chairs. You don’t want to sit in the hot sun, Gene. And those bleachers are hard on your hindquarters.”
Rachel refused the offer. “No, thanks.”
“I’ve been sitting on a hard tractor seat in the mid-day sun half my life,” Zach’s dad said with more diplomacy. “A little heat while I’m watching a ball game won’t hurt me now.”
“Thanks, we’ll join you later.” Josh curled his arm around his girl’s waist. “But we’re going to wade in the fountain to cool off before the game starts.”
Brady and Harper settled back into the shade while the others took off. Rachel kept Brady’s attention as she walked away. Unless Harper missed her guess, there was a lot of unresolved history between the two. She may as well mark Brady off her list of potential romances. His interest was clearly fixed elsewhere.
“See something you like?” she asked, and he laughed.
“What’s not to like?” He tipped his head toward Rachel. “But that song’s been played. No chance for an encore.”
“Sometimes the old favorites are the best.”
“Can’t live in the past.”
The screech of a microphone pierced the air. Mayor Willoughby winced at home plate. He offered a ceremonial welcome to the Twenty-Third Annual Softball Game of the Forty-Fourth Annual Fireworks Festival. The government officials had won thirteen of those games. The merchants had won twelve, but they were itching to tie things up.
“Before we the Ladies Glee Club sings the National Anthem, and I name the lineup on today’s teams, I want to introduce the new town librarian. I understand she’s here somewhere. Harper?” He shielded his eyes with his hand and looked around. “You here? Can you step forward and wave so everyone knows who you are?”
Chapter Fourteen
Surprised at being singled out, Harper stood, waved, and then hurried to sit back down before the mayor asked her to come forward and make an impromptu speech. She didn’t fear public speaking, but preferred to be prepared before speaking to the not-so-welcoming folks of Sunnyside.
Mick continued. “She came highly recommended, and we’re lucky to have her. And on that note, I’d like to remind everyone to eat and drink and to tip lavishly. The proceeds from the concession stand today will go to the library fund—”
“I hear they’ve had some unexpected expenses,” someone hollered from the crowd. Several people snickered. Harper guessed with this town’s gossip grapevine, everyone knew about the sorry state the library was in. She craned her neck to see where the comment had come from, but in the crush of spectators there was no way to tell. As closely as she could identify, it was a guy in a baseball cap because that description fit every guy there.
The Mayor waved off the disruption. “My daughter Cassie will pass around a bucket for donations. Remember, if you like to read or want your kids to have the benefit of a public library, you’ll be generous for this wort
hy cause. Reopening the library will create some much-needed jobs and revenue in the next few months. Now, on to the more important matter of the day...” Most people dutifully chuckled.
“Although they don’t need any introduction to most of you, I’d like to officially announce the lineup for the more superior team of players in today’s contest. My team.”
The Mayor’s team consisted of all the town council members, except for poor Malcolm with his leg in a cast. The sheriff, a couple of deputies, a very fit gray-haired judge, the city clerk, a public prosecutor, and a couple of administrators rounded out the lineup.
Harper recognized some of the players on the opposing team as well. Hank from the hardware store, the fry cook at Sunnyside Up!, Liam, and a couple of carpenters who’d been helping at the library, and Kate Monroe.
Josh and Susannah had returned to take the extra seats under the tree, and he made a face. “Hey, what’s Kate doing playing for the merchants?”
“She can play for whichever side she wants,” Brady said. “As a teacher, she qualifies as a city employee. But as the owner of that website design company, she can play for the merchants.”
“Yeah,” Josh said, “but she’ll be batting for the wrong team. So to speak.”
Brady shot him an amused glance.
“Josh!” Susannah punched him in the shoulder. “You know we don’t mention that.”
“With Kate and Zach on opposite teams,” Brady said, rescuing the moment from awkwardness, “get ready for a battle of the bats.”
“Don’t you play, Josh?” Harper asked.
“Nah.” He fished around in the cooler for bottled water. “Baseball was never my thing. I’m too cerebral for that.”
“Don’t let him kid you,” Brady put in. “That just means he preferred basketball.”
“Good hands.” He wiggled his eyebrows at Susannah. “Too much finesse for baseball.”
“Right, and Zach already had baseball and football covered before you got to school,” Susannah poked.
“That, too. I learned a long time ago not to compete against my big brother. He’s way more competitive than I am.”