“I told you,” Jared teased, pressing a kiss to the back of her ear. “I knew you would relax if you would just give yourself a little room to breathe.”
“You’re the smartest man in the world,” Harper teased, snuggling close. “You were right, though. This is going to be a lot of fun.”
“I certainly hope so,” a booming voice offered, causing Harper to jolt.
Jared turned quickly, instinctively pressing Harper to his side as a form of protection. The gregarious man to their rear, though, didn’t look like much of a threat.
“I’m Harris Turnball,” he offered, running a hand through his thinning hair. “I believe you’re Harper Harlow, if I’m not mistaken.”
“Oh.” Harper immediately straightened and nodded, briefly hoping the man hadn’t heard anything rude while trailing them. “It’s so nice to meet you.” She shook his hand and then moved to the side. “Mr. Turnball is the one who arranged this event. He’s the reason we’re all here.”
“Oh, good,” Zander drawled. “Perhaps I can talk to him about the hair dryer situation.” Realizing what he said too late to take it back, he briefly focused on the man’s shiny head and then regrouped. “Of course, there’s no reason not to let the air dry your hair either.”
Jared bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing and then focused on the businessman at the center of the event. He had a pretty woman behind him, a blonde who looked effortlessly young, and even Zander couldn’t drag the smile from Harris’ face.
“Harper has told me a lot about you,” Jared offered, taking control of the conversation. “She thinks what you have planned for this place is going to be very popular. I happen to agree with her.”
“I’m glad.” Harris shook Jared’s hand. “Are you part of GHI, too?”
“Oh, no.” Jared flashed a smile. “Harper is my fiancée. I came because she wanted me to, and to be honest, I absolutely love camping. We thought it would be a good fit.”
“Absolutely.” Harris clapped Jared on the shoulder and grinned. “The more the merrier. We honestly want to get feedback from everybody involved. We think this could be a great thing, but like any other entertainment endeavor, we expect to have to make tweaks. This is our first run, and there are likely to be a few speed bumps.”
“I don’t think you have to worry about us,” Jared reassured him. “We’re just happy to be here.”
“Well, that’s great.”
The woman behind Harris cleared her throat, drawing the big man’s attention to her. She appeared sheepish and yet determined.
“Oh, where are my manners?” Harris wiped his hand against his sweaty forehead. “This is Becky Trout. She’s my personal assistant. If you need anything, have questions about anything, or even want to lodge an opinion before the weekend is out, make sure to track her down. She’ll be able to help you.”
“We think it’s going to be a fabulous few days,” Becky enthused, her gaze jumping from face to face before landing on Jared. Harper couldn’t be sure, but she was almost certain the woman’s cheeks brightened whenever she looked Jared up and down, as if her whole body was warming up. “Basically we’re going to start with dinner, a nice meal where we can all get to know one another, and then we’ll go from there.”
“That sounds like a fun evening,” Jared agreed, sliding his arm around Harper’s back. “We’re really looking forward to everything you have planned.”
“Even if we have to do it all without nice hair,” Zander added. “We’re ready to rough it like you wouldn’t believe.”
Shawn’s lips quirked as he stared at the ground. “It’s definitely going to be an interesting few days.”
3
Three
Harper wasn’t certain she would be able to sleep in a tent. Even when Jared showed her how he’d zipped two sleeping bags together and set up a cozy spot underneath the tent’s skylight, she was doubtful. Surprisingly, though, the second she rolled her head onto his shoulder, she was out and dead to the world.
She didn’t wake up again until the next morning, when the bird sounds grew so they were just a little bit louder than they would’ve been at home.
“Morning,” Jared murmured, waking at the same time. He brushed a kiss against her forehead and stretched. “How did you sleep?”
Harper took a moment to consider the question.
“It wasn’t meant as a trick,” he teased, tickling her ribs and causing her to squirm. “I happen to know you were completely out before I even had a chance to try a bit of romance.”
Harper’s eyes widened as she regarded him. “I didn’t know you had romance on the mind. I totally would’ve forced myself to stay up if I realized. I’m sorry.”
Her earnest response made him laugh. “Somehow I think I’ll survive.” Mornings were his favorite part of the day, and he especially relished this one. He loved how warm she was, pressed at his side, bright-eyed and eager. She was his favorite person in the world, and moments like these were to be cherished. He knew that without a shadow of a doubt. “I love you, Harper.”
“I love you, too.” She pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth. “Thank you for coming with me, by the way. I’m not certain I thanked you, but I should have. I probably wouldn’t have had the guts to come without you.”
“Oh, that’s not true.” He shook his head. “You’re the bravest person I know. You would’ve come whether I could clear the time or not. Despite that, though, I’m happy to be here. That’s why I love camping. Make no mistake, though, you would’ve been fine without me. You’re good with people.”
“Oh, I’m not worried about that part,” she reassured him. “I have no problem meeting new
