Temptation Trails (The Haven Brothers #3)

“How much can there be to tell?”

“Probably a lot. Just because he grew up in a small town doesn’t mean he’s a hick. He’s a sheriff’s deputy, thank you very much.”

“Okay.”

I rolled my eyes at the skepticism in her voice. “He’s a great guy. He’s been divorced for a while and has a teenage son who’s the coolest kid. He’s been coming into the bakery to help after school and I’m pretty sure he likes me.”

“Harper, you’re killing me. He has a kid already?”

“What’s wrong with that? I told you, he’s a great kid.”

“For now. Besides, why would you even consider saddling yourself with someone else’s child?”

“He’s a single dad. That means they’re a package deal.”

“Exactly. That should have been a hard no.”

“Maybe for you it would be. But Garrett is amazing. I really like him, and I like his son.”

“Okay, well, kiss your dreams goodbye.”

“I’m sorry I mentioned it.”

“Don’t be like that, Harper. You need to learn to take criticism.”

“I work in a bakery serving the public, I take criticism all the time. I just thought my sister would be happy for me.”

She sighed. “I just think you sell yourself short. You could achieve so much more.”

“Sorry I’m not fancy enough for you. And he’s not a hick and he doesn’t want me barefoot and pregnant.”

“Oh my god, stop being so sensitive.”

I was about to argue with her, insist I wasn’t being sensitive, but I knew where that would lead. We’d talk in circles until she gave up, too exasperated to deal with me. “I hope you find the brooch.”

“Listen, I know you don’t think you have it, but just look around, okay? It wouldn’t be the first time you lost something.”

I closed my eyes. “Sure, Holly. I’ll take a look when I get home.”

“Thanks. Talk to you later.”

She ended the call and I set my phone down. My shoulders slumped as I stared at my tea. That had been an awful conversation. But what had I expected? Holly—and our mother for that matter—was perpetually disappointed in me. I was the university dropout. Never mind that I’d gone to culinary school. To them, baking wasn’t a real career. And every man I dated was lacking. Not that they’d ever met any of them, they just assumed.

They always expected me to fail.

My phone buzzed against the island. Great. With my luck, it was my mother.

I turned it over and it didn’t even surprise me. It was my mother.

The mirror curse struck again. No one could convince me that was a coincidence.

Against my better judgment, I answered. “Hi, Mom.”

Doris came in the back door and winced. I shrugged.

“Harper, what’s this I hear about you dating some man out in Tilikum?”

“Did you just talk to Holly? I hung up with her like two minutes ago.”