He prayed he was misunderstanding the situation with the diner. It meant everything to her. And her family. Not to mention the residents of Owl Creek.
He knit his brows together. “Close it? Are you saying the diner is at risk of shutting down?”
His gut tightened at the look of utter devastation on her face. “Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying.” She choked back tears. “The diner is in bad shape financially, and I—I’m afraid there’s no way to rein it back in before the bottom falls out.”
“Piper. Slow down. What happened?”
She bit her lip, appearing overwhelmed. “Things started out fine with the diner, and then I did a thorough review of the books. What I discovered was pretty shocking. Daddy had been struggling financially with the diner before he passed away, but he never told anyone. After I uncovered all of the financial difficulties, all of these problems started to happen at the diner. There was a leak in the roof, and I had to get it fixed and close the place for two weeks. That meant two weeks of lost revenue in addition to the cost of the roof repair. Because of a loophole in the insurance, I had to pay for it myself. Then there was a problem with the stoves and the hot water tank. Things just started spiraling out of control, and pretty soon the place was bleeding money with all the repairs.”
Piper stopped talking, and he had the impression she wanted him to weigh in on the situation. The information coming out of Piper’s mouth was mind-blowing. Jack had always been responsible and prudent. The news was shocking, considering she’d inherited the establishment with no mortgage. It had been hers lock, stock and barrel. But the Snowy Owl being in a precarious financial state changed everything.
He opened his mouth, then closed it. Braden needed to be mindful of Piper’s feelings. If he expressed his disbelief, she might look even more miserable than she already did. And he couldn’t do that. He’d already done enough to shatter her world.
“I know what you’re thinking, Braden. How did all this happen? Trust me, I’ve asked myself that question a million times.” She let out a ragged sigh. “I wanted so badly to carry on Daddy’s legacy, so I thought I could fix everything that was wrong. I’ve been trying to turn things around for years, all while making sure Hank and Mama didn’t find out.”
He chewed his lip. “Piper, are you sure things are so dire?”
She shook her head. “There’s no way the diner can survive for very much longer. From what I was able to glean from the books, it’s been a slow, steady decline. Our revenue has been down, and we can’t quite seem to bounce back. Our customers are exploring other options.
“A few restaurants opened up on Main Street so there’s more competition than ever. Plus I have employees to pay. I haven’t even taken much of a salary for myself over the past few years. The money just hasn’t been coming in.”
“So, are you considering telling Trudy or Hank what’s going on?”
Piper’s mother—Trudy Miller—owned a popular bed-and-breakfast in Owl Creek. Warm and lovable, the innkeeper and Piper were very close. Hank was town sheriff and Braden’s own brother-in-law after his marriage to Sage. Even though Braden was trying to distance himself from Piper, all roads seemed to lead back to her.
“I haven’t told them anything,” she admitted ruefully. “Before you tell me I should have, just hear me out. Hank has been through so much, and when this whole thing started he was raising Addie as a single father. And my mother is trying to make ends meet at the inn. There’s been a big drop-off in guests, so she’s been really worried about her own business. Plus she’s still reeling from losing my dad. She puts on this facade of everything being all right in her world, but she’s still grieving the loss.”
“It must’ve been tough all this time dealing with it yourself,” Braden said, sympathy rising up inside him for the situation she’d been placed in all this time.
“I did confide in Sage and Rachel, although I’ve asked them both to keep it confidential. The last thing I need is for the entire town to find out.” She let out an agonizing sob. He wanted to reach out and hug her, but he resisted the impulse.
“I’m so sorry, Piper. I can certainly inquire about withdrawing some money from my trust fund to help you out. I’ve been dipping into it to fund my travel and living expenses for the last few years, but there’s still a sizeable amount left.” Although he’d come home to Owl Creek to meet his sister, Sage, he had also come to the realization that he needed a job to pay the bills. He couldn’t travel the world forever seeking adventures. His folks had made it pretty clear that he couldn’t go on like this, and they wouldn’t be funding his travels if he ran out of his trust fund money.
“That’s not why I asked you here, although I appreciate your offer. I couldn’t take money from you, especially since there’s no way of knowing if a cash infusion would be sufficient. I have to figure out a way to increase business, something I can sustain over time.” She smiled at him. “It’s nice to know we’re still friends.”
“Of course we are,” he said, sounding unconvincing to his own ears. They both knew things had drastically changed between them, but he was the only one who knew why. He hated this awkward feeling between them. He would give anything to enjoy the ease of their former friendship. A memory of them gliding down Chinook Hill on their sleds flashed before his eyes. Braden wondered if they would ever get back to that place in time when such things were normal.
“I wanted to ask you to work with me to come up with a way out of this mess.” The words tumbled out of her mouth.
Work with her? Oh no. He couldn’t allow himself to spend prolonged periods of time with Piper. It was too risky. He might blurt out the truth and lose her forever. He didn’t trust himself not to slip up and tell her everything.
“Piper, I’m not the right person to help in this situation.”
“Why not? I think you’re the perfect one to help me out. More than anyone else I’ve ever known, you have a way of seeing the big picture and finding solutions to problems. If the two of us put our heads together and brainstorm, maybe we can find a solution. Perhaps I won’t lose the diner after all.”
His heart was breaking at the pleading tone in her voice. Piper couldn’t mask her desperation if she tried. It was stamped all over her face. He reached across the table and gripped her hand. “I’m sorry. I wish there was something tangible I could do, but at this point, you need an expert to step in, someone who can steer you in the right direction.”
“But why can’t that be you? You’re one of the smartest people I know. I trust you, Braden.”
“You shouldn’t!” he blurted out.
Her immediate reaction was to look crestfallen. Her beautiful brown eyes filled with tears. He let out a groan. Tears were his weakness. Even when they’d been little kids Braden had hated the sight of his best friend crying. It had always reached inside him and tugged at the most tender part of his heart.
“Please don’t be upset. It’s just that a lot has changed over the past few years.”
She wiped away tears with the back of her hand. “So much so that you can’t help out an old friend?” she asked in a low voice. “At one point in the not so distant past we were best friends, Braden. We finished each other’s sentences. We promised we’d always be there for each other, come what may. I’m asking for you to help me.”
There was no point in stringing her along. He just needed to let her know he wasn’t the one who could help out. “I don’t think I can, Piper,” he said.
Disbelief flared in her eyes along with a flash of pain. He steeled himself against it, knowing he couldn’t act on pure emotion. He clenched his teeth and willed himself to stay strong.
Silence stretched between them until Piper jumped to her feet.
“Don’t let me keep you!” She ground out the words. Her cheeks were flushed and there was a dangerous glint in her eyes. He’d seen that look before on a few occasion
s, and he knew what it meant. Piper tended to wear her emotions on her sleeve. It was one of the things he loved most about her. She radiated authenticity.
He didn’t want her to hate him. “It’s not that I don’t care. I just—”
“You just can’t. Is that it? I think it’s time for you to go. I need to close up the place.” A mutinous expression appeared on her face.
How could he explain his reluctance to be around her without confessing everything to her? She might be upset with him, but at least she wouldn’t despise him.
He walked to the doorway and turned back to face her. “I’ll be rooting for you. I know you probably won’t understand this, but I need to get my own life in order before I help anyone else.” Piper didn’t betray a single emotion upon hearing his words.
Braden walked out of the diner and into the cold Alaskan evening. He heard the click of Piper locking the door behind him, and it left him feeling empty inside. More than anything in the world he wanted to help her find a way to hold on to the diner. But he knew spending time in her presence was too dangerous. He was keeping secrets from her, and if they spent time together, he didn’t trust himself not to crack under the pressure.
Give me strength Lord, he prayed. I’m going to need it.
Braden couldn’t remember a time when Piper hadn’t been his best friend. She had nestled her way into his heart with her plucky attitude and willingness to be adventurous. Even as kids she’d always been the one to take up his dares and plunge headfirst into the abyss. Whether it was sled-dog racing or riding in a hot air balloon, she’d always been up for a challenge. He’d never imagined her not being a huge part of his life.
Everything had changed four years ago when her father was killed in a snowmobile accident. Braden tried not to remember that afternoon, but the memory of it kept crashing over him in unrelenting waves. He’d been hanging out with some former high school buddies—Tim Carroll, Andy Summers and Lou Warren—on a lazy Saturday afternoon when they’d decided to go snowmobile riding. Usually they raced each other through the trails and then back to the starting point. Braden was known in Owl Creek for his love of extreme sports and adventures. He was the most skilled rider among all of them, and he loved being up on the mountain with the arctic wind whipping through him as he zipped along the trails.
Braden had been surprised to see Jack Miller on the trail that afternoon. It wasn’t very often Piper’s father took time off from the diner for recreational activities. When Jack had pulled Braden aside and asked to speak to him in private, he’d been upbeat about it, thinking the older man wanted to discuss a surprise event for Piper’s upcoming birthday. Much to his surprise, Jack had been stern and full of censure.
Jack’s harsh expression had spoken volumes. “I’ve been hearing stories about you and your friends speeding down these trails, Braden. Considering what happened last year to Mac Crenshaw, I advise you to slow down and take the proper precautions. This town doesn’t need another tragedy and neither do your parents.”
Braden had bristled at Jack’s tone and his reference to Mac’s death, as well as his family’s tragic loss of his sister who was kidnapped as a baby. Mac had died overseas in the service and the entire town had mourned the death of the hometown war hero. Losing Mac had affected all of Owl Creek. He’d felt embarrassed that his friends had been within earshot of Jack’s comments. He hadn’t appreciated being spoken to as if he was an unruly child. Sometimes his family treated him the same way since he’d been the youngest member of the North family in Lily’s absence. “I’m always careful, Jack,” he’d said as anger coursed through him. “So are my friends. We know these trails like the back of our hands.”
“People here in town are talking about riders driving irresponsibly down these paths. It’s a safety issue!”
“So you’re just assuming it’s me who’s breaking the rules, right? I can ride these trails blindfolded. I’ve never been in a single accident.” His voice had been raised and full of unbridled anger.
Although Braden and Jack had always gotten along, the tension hanging in the air between them had been palpable. It was the first time they’d ever been at odds. Jack’s chin trembled as he responded. “Pride goeth before a fall, young man. You still have a lot of growing up to do.” With a shake of his head, Jack had walked away.
Looking back, it had all happened so fast. One moment Jack had been standing beside him and the very next moment he’d sped off down the mountain trail on his snowmobile. Although Braden had been concerned about his jerky movements, he hadn’t followed behind him. About an hour later their paths had crossed when Braden spotted Jack riding the trail up ahead of him. He’d made a mental note to smooth things over between them later on. A short while later, he’d been the first person to come upon the crash scene, witnessing a mangled snowmobile smashed into a grove of trees. Braden had instantly recognized Jack’s bright red snowsuit. He’d jumped off his snowmobile and raced toward Jack, who had been ejected from the vehicle. He’d performed CPR until help arrived, all the while praying for Jack. He hadn’t known until the next morning that Piper’s father hadn’t survived his injuries. His guilt had been overwhelming. He’d agitated Jack prior to the crash. If they hadn’t argued, perhaps he never would have crashed.
The worst part was that everyone had praised Braden for administering medical assistance to Jack and staying at the scene to help in any way he could. He’d kept quiet about his quarrel with Jack, not disclosing to a single soul how upset Piper’s father had been with him prior to the accident. For the past four years, he’d been stuffing down his feelings of guilt, unable to forgive himself or come clean about it. He’d never seriously considered telling Piper the truth.
There wasn’t a single doubt in his mind that if Piper knew he’d played a role in her father’s death she wouldn’t want anything to do with him. Not now or ever.
Copyright © 2020 by Sandra Calhoune
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ISBN-13: 9781488060465
Finding Her Christmas Family
Copyright © 2020 by Ruth M. Blodgett
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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