The Sweetest Moment, page 1
“The Sweetest Moment”
Three Sisters Cafe #2
By Laura Ann
This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.
THE SWEETEST MOMENT
First edition. May 27, 2022.
Copyright © 2022 Laura Ann.
ISBN: 979-8201449124
Written by Laura Ann.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
DEDICATION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
NEWSLETTER
PROLOGUE | From the back of “The Sweetest Words”
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
EPILOGUE
DEDICATION
To my father.
Your quiet support is everything
a daughter could wish for.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
No author works alone. Thank you, Tami.
You make it Christmas every time
I get a new cover. And thank you to my Beta Team.
Truly, your help with my stories is immeasurable.
NEWSLETTER
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PROLOGUE
From the back of “The Sweetest Words”
Harper pushed a piece of hair out of her face and studied her newest painting. It wasn’t quite the type of work she normally did, but this one was special. She had been commissioned to paint a series of pictures that featured The Three Sisters Cafe signature desserts.
She was running a little behind...Austin was picking them up this morning, but Harper hadn’t been able to stop herself from adding just a little more color.
Just as she finished cleaning her brushes, there was a knock at the door. “Perfect timing,” she murmured to herself as she went to answer. “Austin! Come on in.” Harper opened her door wider. “I’ve got your pictures back in the studio.”
He rubbed his hands together, grinning wildly. “I can’t wait to see them.”
Harper led the way to the back. It was amazing how well Austin had settled into life here in small town USA. Especially after being such a big name and living in the city his whole life.
His brother, Tye, had moved down to Seagull Cove and almost immediately began to take online college classes. Last she’d heard, Tye was planning to go to college in person next fall. From her chats with Aspen, Harper knew this was a big step for the young man who struggled in large, public settings.
He’d continued his writing, however, and apparently, had been hired for several guest blog gigs, which was doing a lot to boost his confidence after people realized he was the snarky voice behind the “Eat It Austin” posts.
As for Austin, he had also found a niche which fit him well. With his experience in building a brand, he had opened an online marketing business, building websites and promoting certain brands. It still required reading and writing, but not so much that he couldn’t manage it with a little help.
He was now doing all the marketing for The Three Sisters Cafe, leaving Estelle more time to focus on decorating the treats and more wedding cake work, which had made her happy as well. The situation gave Austin the start he needed to get his business off the ground and Estelle had gratefully shifted her position after arriving home from Italy. Her father had been on the mend when she’d finally come home and the Harrison women were awaiting word that their parents were ready to come home.
The only downside to the story had been Austin’s mom. She had been taken back to the rehab center in Portland, only to disappear once again. This time, however, she hadn’t resurfaced. Aspen had confided in Harper that Austin had hired a private investigator to find her, but so far, she was staying out of the limelight.
For all they knew, she could have passed away on the street, marked as a Jane Doe, but Harper knew that Austin would keep looking until he had answers.
“Here we are,” she announced, opening her studio door and breaking her line of thoughts. The winter had been busy and crazy as everyone had settled into their new roles and their little group of friends had welcomed Austin into their midst. But, Harper was getting anxious for the beauty of spring and the outside markets that would help her get into the sunshine and enjoy interacting with the public again.
Being an artist was a solitary life, which she didn’t mind most of the time, but the last couple of years, she had found herself growing restless. It more than likely had to do with the fact that she couldn’t seem to shake a crush on one stoic and as equally solitary lumberjack.
At least at the festivals, I can watch him do his live carving.
Other than when their friends gathered for game nights or to try one of Aspen’s new desserts, she rarely had occasion to see the handsome Mason. But during the spring and summer, their schedules ran very similarly since he did log carving at live demonstrations at many of the markets.
Not that she should be looking forward to it. Trying to build her art into a full-time income took precedence right now and Harper knew she didn’t have time for a relationship if she was ever going to prove herself to her mother and stop relying on a trust fund to pay the bills.
“Harper, they’re perfect,” Austin said with a smile.
He really had a nice smile. Aspen was so lucky. She was loved and adored by a great guy. Jealousy tried to rear its ugly head, but Harper pushed it back. It was no one’s fault that the art world was a difficult one, or that her secret crush had to stay secret. It wasn’t worth being upset at her friend’s happiness because of it. Not to mention, it wasn’t like Aspen and Austin’s road to love had been easy.
“Do you have your part ready?” Harper asked.
Austin nodded. “It’s in the car.” He scrunched his nose. “Tye helped me write it, but it’s ready.”
“Awesome.” She gathered up her canvases. “Let’s get going.”
It took no time at all for them to arrive at the cafe. Estelle let them inside. It was a Sunday afternoon, which meant they were closed to the public and it was the perfect time to set up a surprise for Aspen.
A half hour later, everything was in place and Austin was calling Aspen. “Hey, babe. Can you come down to the shop for a minute? I have an idea.”
Harper held her breath, then relaxed when Austin gave them all the thumbs up.
“We don’t have to leave completely, do we?” Estelle asked, raising her shoulders to her ears. “I was hoping to record this for Mom and Dad.”
Austin pinched his lips between his teeth. “Do you mind doing it from the back corner, maybe? I’d like to keep her focus out here.”
“Of course!” Estelle grabbed Harper’s hand and with Maeve trailing behind, the girls made themselves as unobtrusive as possible in the back.
It only took a few minutes for Aspen to arrive. Short commutes was one of the perks of living in a small town and Harper’s heart leapt to her throat. She was so excited for her best friend. All little girls dreamed of this day and it was wonderful that it was finally happening.
“Austin?” Aspen called as she pushed open the front door. She gasped and came to a halt when she saw the wall. “What’s this?”
Austin stood in front of the latest decorations. They had displayed them on the wall around the leopard print sofa, which everyone referred to as “The A’s Place”. He held out his hands and Aspen slowly walked his way, taking in the pictures.
“Did Harper paint those?” Aspen asked. “They’re beautiful.”
Austin still didn’t speak, instead guiding her to sit down. Once Aspen was seated, Austin knelt down on one knee, eliciting another gasp.
Harper clasped Estelle’s hand, then forced herself to let go, so she wouldn’t ruin the video. This was so exciting!
“Aspen Marguerite Harrison,” Austin said carefully. “We both know I’m not much of a reader or writer, but I’ve spent my life hiding behind other people’s words and I wanted to present myself to you with nothing between us. No fans, no internet, no ghost writers...just you, me and a proposal.”
Aspen covered her mouth with her hands, tears beginning to trickle down her cheeks. Harper found her own eyes filling with similar emotions.
“I love you,” Austin continued. “I love you more than I can express with or without help,” he said with a smirk. “You’re my rock. You’re the reason I’ve survived the blowback from my job, you’re the reason I have a new job, you’re the reason I wake up with a smile on my face and a bounce in my step.”
Aspen reached out and cupped his cheek and Harper began to feel like she was intruding on an intimate moment. She glanced at Maeve, who pumped her eyebrows. Apparently, the sisters didn’t have any trouble with it.
Aspen took the frame and began to laugh through her tears. “I love you more than peanut butter, marshmallow surprise cake,” she read the words with a laugh, then sniffed. “That’s our cake,” she rasped. “I made it with you in mind.”
He nodded and cupped her face. “Which is why I’m going to ask you to keep making peanut butter, marshmallow surprise cake with me forever. Aspen, will you marry me? Will you help keep my days full of joy and my evenings full of sugary sweets?” He nodded to the frame. “Will you hang that on the wall and be my partner for the rest of my life?”
Harper put her clasped hands over her heart. What would it be like to have that kind of adoration aimed at her instead of listening to it spoken to someone else? Harper’s heart ached with the desire for Mason to say those things to her, then immediately scolded herself for it. She needed to think of her career. Her mother would never let Harper live it down if she didn’t prove once and for all that art was an actual career choice.
Clapping brought her out of her thoughts and she realized she had missed Aspen saying yes. At least, Harper assumed it was a yes, if the kiss Aspen and Austin were engaged in was anything to go by.
“Woo hoo!” Maeve hollered, followed by a very loud whistle.
Harper jerked to the side. “Whoa.”
Maeve grinned. “Yeah. I’ve been practicing.”
“I can’t believe you guys were there the whole time!” Aspen said, wiping at her eyes and standing up.
“You were a little preoccupied,” Estelle said wryly.
Harper held out her arms and hurried over. “Congrats,” she whispered in her best friend’s ear. “I’m so happy for you.”
They pulled apart and Aspen positively glowed. “Thank you.” She gave Harper another squeeze. “And thank you for the paintings. I LOVE them.”
Harper smiled. “It was nothing.”
“Of course, it wasn’t.” Aspen rolled her eyes. “Because you’re amazing.”
Harper just smiled and stepped back, letting everyone else squeal and celebrate the occasion. If I was that amazing, I wouldn’t be looking at another spring spent ogling a lumberjack from afar. I’d figure out how to have my cake and eat it too. She shook her head. Now was not the time. This was a call to celebrate. Harper’s nonexistent love life wasn’t important. She clapped her hands loudly, getting everyone’s attention. “Who wants cake?”
Laughter followed her call and slowly, they all worked their way to the kitchen. Harper was last as she wrestled with herself, but she was determined to stay focused. Aspen, Austin and cake were the subject of the moment. Nothing else. There would be time to sulk later. Right now, she had best friend duties to attend to and they were far more important.
CHAPTER 1
Harper carefully wrapped another canvas in brown paper. Finally, finally, after what seemed forever, spring was here, the sky was clearing from its perpetual gray and the humans were venturing into outdoor activities again.
As an artist who captured landscapes with her brush and paints, Harper always had a hard time staying put during the cold weather. Living on the Oregon Coast meant that she rarely saw snow, or sub zero temperatures, but the whole coastline seemed to lose its color and life during those few months. Brown and gray dominated the horizon and the bite of the ocean wind was enough to have anyone running for a cup of hot cocoa and the warmth of a crackling fire.
Her favorite time of year was filled with color and the opportunity to socialize with friends and customers in the outdoor art exhibits or open air markets found up and down the Pacific coastline. She loved chatting with the adults and children alike as they admired her work and asked questions about her technique.
Harper’s cheeks flooded with warmth as she considered the other reason she was looking forward to the warm season.
Mason Turley.
While his day job consisted of working in the lumber industry, during the warm months, he could often be found at Harper’s art festivals, doing live wood carvings. His skill with a chainsaw was awe inspiring, but Harper found herself staring at more than just the art.
Who could resist a man as tall and broad as a linebacker with the most mesmerizing golden eyes she had ever seen?
She shook her head. Apparently, she wasn't more immune than any of the other women who tried to swarm him at the festivals. The difference was that she couldn’t let herself melt like a fangirl. Handsome or not, Harper was still in the middle of building her professional life and trying to break into the art world took a lot of time and persistence. She simply didn’t have time for anything else. Not that her hormones were willing to listen to her logic.
She had known Mason for nearly five years, after she moved to the coast in order to make a career of her artistic talents. Her crush had come on slowly, though she’d thought him handsome from the beginning. A chat here...a laugh there...a moment when their eyes caught...his quiet willingness to help every person he came in contact with... Ugh!
The paper Harper was wrapping with tore at a corner and she grit her teeth to keep from saying a word her mother would definitely not approve of. She dropped the paper to the ground and began again, forcing her breathing to slow as she turned her mind to something other than her unrequited feelings for a handsome lumberjack.
It wasn’t even fair to call them unrequited. Harper had never bothered to try and see if Mason could ever see her as more than a friend. She couldn’t. For years, her mother had been breathing down her neck to try and force Harper into a mold that her artistic brain just didn’t want to comply with. Sharon Woodson wanted her daughter to be a lawyer...just like her.
As a single mother, Sharon had learned that not all jobs paid the bills and Harper was more grateful than she could say that her mom worked two jobs, went back to school and managed to pass the bar exam, all while raising a little girl. Their life had gone from difficult to luxurious, all because of Sharon’s dedication.
But Harper didn’t have the same ideals. She saw how hard her mother worked, and admired her for it, but she wanted something different. Harper didn’t want premature age lines. She didn’t want to try to keep up with “The Good Old Boys” at work. She didn’t want to create arguments or try to find holes in other people’s stories.
Harper wanted to create. She loved color and nature and her mind often wandered to how she could capture the beauty around her. Sharon said it came from Harper’s father’s mother. A woman Harper had never met before her death. Sharon and her husband hadn’t been together long, but it was enough that Harper’s grandmother had left Harper a small trust fund that she’d been able to use to pay for art school and now help her live independently, despite her mother’s complaints.
“There.” Harper put the last canvas down, admiring her work. Everything was neat as a pin, just as it should be. She even had a few new paintings this time around in order to catch new eyes. After Austin, Aspen’s husband, had asked her to paint some pictures of cake for their bakery, Harper had discovered she enjoyed the bright whimsy of the product and spent some time creating cute, food-centric pictures that would be darling in a little girl’s room, or liven up a brightly colored kitchen.
With a deep breath and a practiced force of determination, she began hauling everything to her car. The crossover vehicle had a large back, which allowed her to drive her paintings around without worry of them being squished or broken during transport, and had been her first big splurge after arriving in Oregon.
After depositing the last canvas in the back, Harper shut the hatch and grabbed her buzzing phone from her back pocket. “Hey, Aspen!” Harper cried, recognizing her friend’s number. “How goes the baking today?”
Aspen’s laughter came through the tiny speaker. “We’re almost sold out of the red velvet whoopie pies already,” she replied. “So I’m busy whipping up another batch. Apparently, people are really into hand held desserts today.”
