“We should head for the town hall,” Harper said to Gavin.
“What?” Gavin leaned closer to hear her over the crowd. He made a white T-shirt and khaki shorts look like a million bucks. He and Colton had gotten American flags painted on their cheeks while Harper had been interviewing. Gavin also had Harper’s name painted on his forearm.
“We need to meet Brock and Cree!” she hollered as a band marched by, playing an unfamiliar tune.
Gavin nodded and tapped Hunter on the shoulder. He pointed in the direction of the town hall. “Time to go!”
Gavin put his arm around Harper and kissed her, while Hunter grabbed Jana, who was busy stuffing a hot dog into her mouth. They fell into step with Colton, who was proudly wearing a white Styrofoam top hat with the rainbow flag on the front.
A colorful float rolled down the street, blaring music, carrying several men dressed as women in flouncy red, white, and blue dresses with fluffy boas wrapped around their necks. They were dancing and waving to the crowd.
As they neared the town hall, Gavin pointed to the families sitting on the lawn picnicking, playing, and waving at the passing parade and said, “That’ll be us one day.”
Harper’s heart stumbled.
“Don’t look so shocked,” he said into her ear. “I can picture you surrounded by towheaded toddlers, sneaking frosting off their cupcakes while they’re busy watching the parade.”
She loved knowing she wasn’t the only one dreaming of their future. “They can have their frosting as long as I get the red lollipops.”
“I’ll give you a lolly,” he said heatedly, and pressed his lips to hers.
A group of cyclists passed dressed in colorful costumes and honking high-pitched horns, drawing their attention to the road. A fire truck rolled down the street behind them, lights flashing. Flags hung from the side of the fire truck, and people sat on top, waving and throwing candy into the applauding and whistling crowd.
Harper spotted Brock standing by the corner at the same moment Jana yelled,
“There’s Brock and Cree!”
Brock’s massive frame dwarfed Cree, who was tucked against his side. They were talking with Tegan and Jock. Harper was surprised to see Tegan and Jock there. Jock looked like a different person in jeans and a T-shirt.
“Jana, that’s Tegan, Harvey’s great-niece, the one I told you about.” Harper pointed to Tegan. “She’s from the same town as Cree. Come on. I want to introduce you.”
“Hi, you guys,” Cree said as they approached. Her black hair hung over her shoulders. She looked cute in a gray tank top and black cutoffs, with her black boots. How she managed to look sweet and not tough in that outfit was beyond Harper, but she pulled it off well. “Can you believe with all these people, we ran into Tegan and Jock?”
“It’s that small-world thing again,” Tegan said as she embraced Harper. “I loved the revisions to the article you sent. Thank you.”
“Oh good, they’re running it after the holiday.” She turned to Jock and said, “I’m so sorry about Harvey. Are you doing okay?”
“Yeah. I miss him, but you know…” Jock said solemnly.
“Let me introduce Tegan and Jock to everyone before you two get to gabbing,” Cree said.
As Cree made the introductions, explaining how she knew Tegan from their hometown, Brock sidled up to Gavin and nodded toward the grass a few feet away, indicating for Gavin to go with him so they could speak privately.
“Be right back, babe.” Gavin stepped onto the grass.
“Brock, what are you doing?” Harper asked.
He looked at Gavin and said, “Making sure Gavin and I are on the same page.”
“Seriously?” Harper complained as Brock and Gavin walked away. “We had dinner together a couple of weeks ago. Did I miss something between now and then?” Gavin had gotten along great with her brothers, although he had given Colton a hard time about abandoning her at the music festival. Colton had played it cool and reminded him that it was a good thing he had, or they’d never have met.
“Let him go or he’ll think he failed you,” Colton said. “He didn’t get to do his big-brother thing at dinner.”
Harper sighed. “What’s he going to do, say hurt my sister and I’ll kill you?”
“Nah, I’ve already told him that,” Colton said. Then he and Hunter high-fived. He turned his attention to Jock and said, “So, you’re a nurse? I hear nurses are good with their hands.”
Harper choked on her breath and coughed. “Oh my gosh, Colton!”
Tegan, Jana, and Hunter laughed. Cree blushed and turned away.
“It’s okay,” Jock said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. Harper could tell it was grief causing that strain and not her brother’s flirtatious comment. “I’m not a nurse, but I am pretty good with my hands.”
“Works for me,” Colton said. “Want to grab a beer?”
“Sure, but you know I bat for the other team, right?” Jock asked.
Colton shrugged. “Can’t blame a guy for trying. Let’s go find a place to chill. Hunt, you want to join us?”
“Go, keep an eye on Colton,” Jana urged.
Hunter leaned in to kiss Jana and said, “Love you. I’ll leave my phone on.”
After they walked away, Harper said, “Is Jock okay?”
“He will be. My sister, Cici, and I dragged him here to get him out of the house,” Tegan explained. “My sister took her husband and kids to get their faces painted. I’m glad your brother got Jock to go for a drink. He needs it. They read the will, and my uncle’s sense of humor outlived him. He left Jock an old-fashioned typewriter and two million dollars that he gets only if he publishes something.”
Harper blinked several times. “Wow. Talk about pressure.”
“Heck, I’ll write something for him,” Jana said. “That’s a lot of money.”
Tegan’s concern for Jock was written in her eyes. “I asked him what he was going to do, and he said he had some things to deal with before he can even think about writing. He said he’s not sure where he’ll end up.”
“Do you think he’s upset about the contingency?” Harper asked. “He worked for Harvey for so long.”
Tegan shook her head. “Jock doesn’t care about money. It’s the challenge that struck a chord. I just hope he comes back here, since it looks like I’ll be here trying to carry on my uncle’s legacy after the winter.”
“We’re ready to help,” Harper said as Brock and Gavin joined them. She glanced at Brock, who gave her a thumbs-up as he reclaimed Cree with an arm around her waist. Harper shook her head. Brock’s need to be overprotective would never change.
Gavin slung his arm over Harper’s shoulder and kissed beside her ear, whispering, “You’re lucky to have him looking out for you.” He flashed a killer smile at Tegan and said, “Sorry I got pulled away. Tegan, right? I’m Gavin. Harper’s my better half. I’m sorry about your uncle. He really made an impact on Harper. If you need anything, just let us know.”
“Thank you.” Tegan said. “You guys are all so nice. I have to admit, if I hadn’t met Harper, I would probably still be trying to decide if I could commit to handling the theater, or if I should hand it over to someone else.” She looked appreciatively at Harper. And then she pulled her phone from her pocket and read a text. “Looks like my sister and her family decided to go on a whale watch.” She thumbed out a text, and as she put her phone in her pocket, she said, “I should probably find Jock.”