Harper's Wish
A recipe for disaster…or redemption?A few weeks ago, Harper Worth wouldn't even have eaten at the Rusty Anchor, let alone worked there. But now she's in no position to be choosy. Fired from her lofty post as Washington, DC's, toughest restaurant critic, she's…desperate. Desperate to build a new life for herself in Findlay Roads. And desperate to prove to brooding Connor Callahan, owner, chef and overwhelmed single dad, that she can be a real asset to the Rusty Anchor. Maybe even to him. If he'll just give her a chance. But he may never forgive her for the scathing review that cost him his DC dream. Or the plans she's hatching for his current restaurant…
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A recipe for disaster...or redemption?
A few weeks ago, Harper Worth wouldnât even have eaten at the Rusty Anchor, let alone worked there. But now sheâs in no position to be choosy. Fired from her lofty post as Washington, DCâs, toughest restaurant critic, sheâs...desperate. Desperate to build a new life for herself in Findlay Roads. And desperate to prove to brooding Connor Callahan, owner, chef and overwhelmed single dad, that she can be a real asset to the Rusty Anchor. Maybe even to him. If heâll just give her a chance. But he may never forgive her for the scathing review that cost him his DC dream. Or the plans sheâs hatching for his current restaurant...
Connor could hardly believe the infamous Harper Worth sat across from him.
Now he finally had a face to put with the nameâa much prettier face than he had imagined. Heâd built her up in his mindâs eye as the harpy heâd dubbed her, thinking sheâd be thin, gaunt, with unnaturally long teeth and beady eyes.
But she was still the woman whoâd nearly ruined his career, he reminded himself.
âYou donât even know who I am,â he said.
Her eyebrows dipped in confusion. âSorry, should I? Have we met?â
âConnor Callahan?â he repeated his name. âÃire?â
He felt a triumphant satisfaction as he watched the color slowly drain from her face.
âÃire?â she whispered.
âAh, you remember what the restaurant was called, even if you canât remember the name of the man whose reputation you destroyed.â
âOh. That Connor Callahan.â
Recently, my eight-year-old niece and I were at Disney World, watching the fireworks for the Magic Kingdomâs nighttime show, Wishes. As the production began, with beloved characters expressing their heartsâ desires, Emily kept tugging my arm, wanting to know when she should make her wish. I reassured her that the opportunity wouldnât pass her by, but she made me promise to let her know when she should cast her wish for the maximum benefit. I waited until the finale, the moment after the Blue Fairy encouraged us to always believe in wishes, before a final cavalcade of fireworks bloomed across the evening sky, and then leaned down to whisper, âNow.â
Whether theyâre cast upon a star or held tightly in the palm of your hand, wishes are a powerful thing, made even more complex when they collide. Sometimes, weâre forced to sacrifice one wish for another. This is a conflict Harper knows all too well as she grapples to see her wish come true...and risks losing a love she didnât see coming.
Harperâs Wish is the first book in my Findlay Roads series, focusing on the residents of a small community beside the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. To learn more about this fictional town and its characters, visit www.cerellasechrist.com.
Cerella Sechrist
CERELLA SECHRIST lives in York, Pennsylvania, with two precocious pugs, Darcy and Charlotte, named after Jane Austen characters. Inspired by her childhood love of stories, she was ten years old when she decided she wanted to become an author. These days, Cerella divides her time between working in the office of her familyâs construction business and as a barista to support her reading habit and coffee addiction. Sheâs been known to post too many pug photos on both Instagram and Pinterest. You can see for yourself by finding her online at www.cerellasechrist.com.
Dedicated to my dad, Wayne: for the example of his work ethic and his devotion to what he loves. But mostly, for teaching me how to have faith.
Special thanks to my editor, Laura Barth, for hanging in there with me. You have definitely earned the MVP award on this one! And to my Mills & Boon Heartwarming blog partner and author mentor, Loree Lough, for the phone calls, emails and recipes. You make my writing days brighter, my friend.
Contents
HARPER WORTH STOOD in front of the brick building and stared at the weathered wooden sign. Rusty Anchor. Who in their right mind had thought that was a good name for a restaurant? It had been difficult to find, tucked out of the way along the docks instead of with the other restaurants and shops on the main street of town. It looked a little run-down, although dive wasnât exactly the term sheâd use. It was cleanâthe windows were clear of dirt and smudges, and the front stoop was swept spotless. There were several potted plants nestled around the entryway. If it hadnât been for the name and the peeling paint, the restaurant might have been homey.
Beggars canât be choosers, Harper reminded herself. All the other local restaurants were hired up for the season. It was down to the Rusty Anchor or the questionable Crab Shack on the far side of town. That place had received a number of health code violations in recent years, and Harper suspected the only regular customers were salty old fishermen.
