“So I can save up for my snake and cookies.”
Cody frowned. He knew the kid loved Mrs. Sandler’s cookies, but a snake? “You want a snake? Like as a pet?”
“Yep.” She nodded, her blond curls bouncing. “I want a red one with black bands, but Daddy says they cost a lot of money.”
He looked at his brother. Bullshit. The snake wouldn’t be that expensive, and even if the enclosure and everything needed tocare for the snake was, his brother had money. He just didn’t want one—and Cody knew why. Eastern may be a tough former Navy SEAL-turned-town sheriff, but he was deathly afraid of snakes.
“I know!” Avery just about shouted before Cody or Eastern could get a word in. “I’ll get a job at Sugar and Spice! I’m good at baking cupcakes and cookies. Sadie taught me.”
Sadie had been Avery’s nanny since she was a baby, while Avery was living with her mother. But when Sadie’s partner had gotten a job in Atlanta, she’d moved with him. Cody hadn’t known the woman very well, but he knew Avery loved her. Sadie was also Mrs. Sandler’s granddaughter.
“You can ask Mrs. Sandler now,” Cody suggested, receiving a hard look from Eastern.
They were nearing Sugar and Spice when the door opened, and Harper stepped out. Just like every other time he saw the woman, she made him feel like he’d been sucker punched, stealing every scrap of air in his chest.
“Who’s that, Uncle Cody?” Avery whispered a bit too loudly. “She’s looking right at you.”
“Yeah, Uncle Cody,” Eastern mimicked. “Who’s that?”
“That,” Cody said quietly as they closed the distance, “is Harper.”
They stopped in front of her.
“Hey,” she said as her gaze shifted between his eyes. “How are you?”
A hell of a lot better now. “Good. We’re just heading to Sugar and Spice. You know my brother, Eastern, and this is his daughter, my niece, Avery.”
“You’re pretty,” Avery announced.
Harper chuckled and crouched so she was on Avery’s level. “Thank you. So are you. I love your curls. I’ve always wanted curly hair.”
Avery beamed. “Thank you. Daddy says I have Grandma’s hair.”
It was true. Avery looked exactly like their mother.
“It’s beautiful.” Harper tilted her head. “Hey, I’m new in town. Could you tell me what the best cupcake is at Sugar and Spice?”
Avery’s nose wrinkled. “Caramel popcorn. But I like the cookies. Mrs. Sandler has a triple fudge chocolate cookie that’s my favorite. I’m not allowed to have it all the time because Daddy says the chocolate keeps me up all night.”
Harper’s grin was wide and radiant. “I think it would keep me up too. I’ll try the caramel popcorn next time.”
“Tell me if you like it!”
“I definitely will.” When Harper rose, her gaze met Cody’s again. “I’ll see you later.”
Avery yanked on Cody’s arm. “Uncle Cody can walk with you. He always says it’s safer to have company.”
Harper’s brows shot up. “Oh, that’s okay. You guys were about to go into the shop, and I don’t want to take him away from you.”
“I don’t mind,” Avery said. “Uncle Cody can take me to Sugar and Spice tomorrow.”
The sneaky kid. Any excuse for an extra visit to the bakery.
He ruffled Avery’s hair before looking up at Harper. “I’ll walk you to your car.”
A frown creased her brow, and for a moment he thought she’d say no. Then she nodded. “Okay. I’d like that.”
Cody gave Avery a hug before saying goodbye to his brother.
