“Hey, Madie,” Noah said.
“Hey, Uncle Noah,” she sang, eyeing Piper with curiosity.
Piper smiled. “Hello, I’m Piper.”
“Hello,” Madison responded. A shy smile curved her lips. “Are you Noah’s girlfriend?”
Piper’s eyes popped open wide as she looked at Noah, unsure how to respond.
“I’m working on that,” Noah said with a grin.
“Looks like you’re off to a great start,” Zoe piped in, her eyes twinkling as she looked at both of them.
“Here’s to great beginnings,” Noah said as he scooted his bar stool closer to Piper and slipped his arm around her shoulders.
Zoe brought her hands together, her voice going pragmatic. “Okay, we’ve gotta get these cookies done. Then, we’ll order pizza for dinner.”
“Pizza, yay!” Madison chimed as she danced around in a circle. The adults laughed as they got back to work.
5
The joyful notes of the last line of The First Noel settled around Piper like a warm blanket as her eyes misted. Caroling with Noah, Zoe, Milo, and Madison was one of the neatest things Piper had ever done. Noah was great on the guitar with a beautiful tenor voice. Zoe also had a fantastic voice. Piper felt like a croaking frog in comparison, so she just sang quietly. No one made her feel bad about it, however. As they walked from house to house in the picturesque neighborhood that resembled a Hallmark card, singing and delivering canisters of cookies, Piper’s heart grew lighter and lighter with each step. This is what Christmas was all about—the spirit of giving and family.
Piper, once again, recalled her mother’s warning about being too consumed with her career. It hit her square between the eyes every time she saw the glistening eyes of the people standing in the doorways and the quiet glow on their faces as they listened to the music and received the cookies.
Noah played the intro for Silent Night on the guitar as everyone began singing. The elderly man and woman standing in the doorway sang along. Piper and Noah’s eyes met as he smiled, melting her heart. Even as she felt the exultation of the moment, a twinge ran through her. After Christmas, Noah would go back to Boulder City. She didn’t want that. She wanted him to stay here with her. Her insides laughed her to scorn. They’d known each other for less than a day. Piper needed to reel herself in here. It had been a magical day, but one day was not enough to build a relationship on. She just had to keep moving forward and see what happened from here.
After caroling, they all went back to Zoe’s house where they drank hot chocolate and sat by the crackling fire. The kids were on break and were ecstatic to stay up longer. Piper enjoyed the witty banter that passed back and forth between Noah and Zoe. She wondered what the rest of the siblings were like. Were they all as close as Noah and Zoe? Piper and her brother Stewart fought like cats and dogs as teenagers. Now that they were grown, they got along okay but didn’t hang out together. A computer geek, Stewart could drone on for hours about the code he was writing, but all of it was lost on Piper. Even though she and Stewart had little in common, watching the interaction between Noah and Zoe prompted Piper to want to develop a better relationship with Stewart and her parents. She needed to take time out of her hectic schedule to visit them more often.
A little after ten p.m., Zoe started yawning. “I’m sorry. It’s been a long day.” She looked at Milo and Madison. “Time to get ready for bed.”
They groaned simultaneously.
Noah removed his arm from around Piper’s shoulders as they stood.
“Thank you so much,” Piper said with a rush of emotion. “It was wonderful meeting you and your family.”
“You’re welcome here anytime,” Zoe said genuinely as the two of them hugged.
Piper said goodbye to the kids as she and Noah walked to the SUV, hand in hand. When they reached it, Noah opened her door and helped her into the seat before going around to the driver’s side.
Piper’s skin prickled with the delicious knowledge that they were finally alone.
He started the engine and pulled out of the driveway.
“I had a wonderful time tonight,” she began.
“Me too.” He reached for her hand, sending an electric spark through her as he laced his fingers through hers. “That snowball fight was a dang good idea.”
“Yes, it was,” she said with a laugh. “Zoe’s amazing.”
“She is,” he agreed.
Piper’s jaw worked, wondering if she dared ask the question that was on her mind. “Is everything okay with Zoe and her husband?” When Noah didn’t speak, she rushed on. “Sorry, it’s none of my business.”
He squeezed her hand. “It’s okay. I don’t mind telling you about it.” He paused. “Things have been strained between Zoe and Carl. They’re seeing a counselor, trying to work through the rough spots. Carl’s a good guy. I believe they’ll work it out.”
“I hope so,” Piper said fervently, “you can tell Zoe’s crazy about him. She’s such a good mom … and an incredibly talented sculptor.”
“Well, you made a great impression on Zoe.”
“I did?” That was music to Piper’s ears. She angled to look at Noah, her eyes tracing the lines of his firm jaw. She caught the crooked grin on his lips when the lights from a passing car streaked through the SUV
“Yep. When you went to the restroom, she told me that if I had any sense in my pea brain head that I’d hang onto you.”
A ribbon of pleasure twirled through Piper as she smiled. “That was nice of her. What did you say?” She held her breath, waiting for him to answer.
“Oh, I wholeheartedly agreed.”
The breath whooshed out of her lungs. “This is happening fast.”
“Yes, is fast a bad thing?”
She considered his question, chewing on her lower lip. “No, not necessarily.” She hesitated. “I just don’t like thinking about what will happen when Christmas is over … and you go back to Boulder City.”
“Maybe I’ll stick around a little longer.”
Her heart leapt. “Really?”
“Really.”
Piper was glad it was dark because she couldn’t hide the ginormous smile forming over her lips.
They’d been driving for five minutes or more when Noah cast her a sidelong glance. “I don’t even know where you live. I’m just driving back toward Main Street.”
She laughed. “Oh, yeah. I hadn’t thought of that. You’re going the right direction. My house is just a few blocks from Main Street in the historic district.” She proceeded to give him directions.
When they pulled in front of the small house she and Cori rented, Piper’s pulse shot through the roof, knowing that the goodbye kiss was imminent. Noah glanced toward the house. “Would you like for me to walk you to the door?”
“Normally, I’d say yes, but my roommate Cori’s home.” Piper could tell because all the lights were on.
He shifted to face her. “I guess we’ll have to say goodnight here.”
“Yes.” Her heart was hammering so furiously that she was dizzy.
His eyes searched hers. “When can I see you again?”
Her heart raced with eagerness, the words flying out of her mouth. “Tomorrow evening … after I get off work.”
A dazzling smile spread over his lips. “That sounds great.” He leaned closer and cupped her cheek, causing her breath to hitch. “Today has been perfect.”
Her lips parted. “Yes,” she whispered as his lips came down coaxingly on hers. She drank in the exquisite warmth of his lips, which tasted faintly of hot chocolate. His arms went around her waist, trailing sensuously up the length of her back. Adrenaline shot through her as he deepened the kiss, his demanding lips burning a river of fire through her veins. Her spirit joined his in spirals of ecstasy that caressed her soul. She could’ve kissed him forever were it not for the need to breathe.
She had the sensation of moving through time and space. Wait a minute! They were moving! The car was rolling forward. Wi
th a start, he jerked back. “Crap!” he said as he pulled up the emergency brake to bring them to an abrupt stop. The nose of the SUV was only a few inches shy of hitting the bumper of the neighbor’s car parked in front of them. Quickly, he put the transmission back into park.
The shocked look on Noah’s handsome face mirrored Piper’s own feelings. In their effort to get closer to one another, they’d knocked the SUV out of park. Laughter gurgled in Piper’s throat, escaping as a snigger. A second later, they both burst out laughing.
Noah shook his head. “Well, that was a first.”
A grin curved her lips as she touched his jaw. “Today’s the first of many things. I’ve never played hooky from work before.”
He grinned. “You’d never ridden a ski lift or gone tubing.”
“Or caroling.” A smile pulled at her lips. “I’ve never kissed a guy I just met.” And I certainly haven’t been so quick to fall head over heels, her mind added. She was normally so disciplined, so practical.
He frowned. “I thought I kissed you.”
“You did,” she chuckled, “and then I kissed you back.”
His voice took on a husky edge as his eyes went to her lips. “You’re good at that.”
Tingles danced down her spine. She was craving another kiss … badly.
“Here’s to new beginnings,” he murmured, his mouth taking hers once more. This time, however, they were careful not to knock the shifter.
They exchanged numbers, promising to meet up at a quaint Italian restaurant just off Main Street the following evening. By the time Piper got out of the SUV she was practically floating. When she got to her front door, she opened it. Before stepping inside she turned back and waved as Noah drove off. Her heart was flying so high that there was no chance of her coming back down to earth anytime soon.
She caught a glimpse of Cori out of the corner of her eye. “You’ll never guess what happened to me,” she exclaimed. She stopped short when her vision focused, and she realized that Cori was on the couch, locking lips with Scotty. Surprised laughter bubbled in her throat as her hand went to her mouth. “Oops.”
Cori and Scotty pulled away from each other. Cori’s face turned as red as her hair, but Scotty looked rather pleased.
“I take it the date went well,” Piper chimed.
Cori touched her hair to smooth it back into place. “Yep,” she snipped.
Scotty draped an arm around Cori. “How did your evening go, love?”
Piper tried to hide her whale-sized smile, but she couldn’t. It stretched from ear to ear. “Fabulous!” She looked at Cori. “I met someone.”
“That’s what Scotty said.” A look of consternation crossed Cori’s beautiful face. “And you skipped work to go on a date with him?” She shook her head. “Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?”
Piper held out her hands, modeling from side to side. “It’s the new me. Of course, I couldn’t have done it had Scotty not covered for me.” She looked at him. “Thank you, by the way. How did it go?”
“Great. I sold three paintings and a print.”
“Wow, that’s great.” Piper and Scotty were paid hourly wages, plus commissions. Piper was grateful that Scotty had been able to benefit from his good deed. “Any word from Deidre?”
“Not a peep.”
“It’s nice having Nolan Vant in town to keep her occupied.”
“Yes, it is,” Scotty agreed.
A stilted silence washed over them, and it didn’t take long for Piper to get the hint. Two was company and three a crowd. “I’ll just leave you two alone.” She raised her eyebrows, shooting them a wicked grin. “To do whatever it was you were doing.” It was fun to watch Cori’s face go red again.
“Sounds good, love,” Scotty said, turning his attention back to Cori.
Piper frowned. “I’m not sure how I feel about my two closest friends dating each other.”
“Get used to it,” Scotty said, giving Cori a lingering look. Cori responded with a doting smile.
Piper sighed. Truthfully, she was glad Cori and Scotty were together. She’d always thought they would make a great couple.
“Alright, goodnight,” Piper said breezily, traipsing past them to her bedroom. She needed to get some rest to be fresh tomorrow, but Piper didn’t know how she was going to come back to earth and actually make herself get some sleep. When she did finally drift off to a slumber, she knew her dreams would be wrapped in the gold-green hue of Noah’s magnetic eyes and that her lips would hold the memory of his achingly tender and tantalizing kisses. A flush rose over her cheeks. She touched her skin, feeling the burn.
Yep, she had it bad for Noah Romeo. An unbidden whisper rose in her breast, Please don’t break my heart. She shuddered, wondering where that thought had come from as she scuttled off to bed.
6
Scotty was perched on the edge of Piper’s desk. He cast a furtive glance over his shoulder before leaning in and lowering his voice. “You won’t believe what I heard.”
“What?” Piper asked, matching his quiet tone.
“Deidre was on the phone with one of her girlfriends. Evidently, Nolan Vant stood her up yesterday. She was all broken up about it, nearly in tears.”
Piper’s head swung back and forth. “That’s crazy.”
A blip of satisfaction streaked over Scotty’s face. “Maybe Vant’s not such a wazzock, after all. The chap’s probably getting out while he still can.”
Piper felt a ping of sympathy for Deidre. Sure, she was a pain in the neck, but Piper didn’t wish Deidre any ill will. If anything, Piper wanted to have a good working relationship with Deidre that would be mutually beneficial.
Scotty chuckled. “Deidre’s not giving up though. She told her friend she’d fight for him till the bitter end.” He shrugged. “Whatever that means.”
Piper made a face. “Well, let’s hope for Nolan Vant’s sake that it doesn’t get too sticky. Deidre’s not one to give up the hunt when she has the target in her sights.”
Scotty let out a low whistle. “No, she’s not.”
Piper thought of something else. “Is everything still a go with the reception?”
“Oh, yeah. Deidre has already given me my marching orders. I’m to move all of Vant’s photographs to the front.”
“You already did that.”
He held up a finger. “Deidre asked me to move most of them up front. Now, she wants all of them. Sounds like she’s pulling out all the stops.” He sighed as he stood. “I guess I’d better get moving.”
“Good luck.”
“I’ll need it,” he muttered. Before he could walk away, Piper wiggled her eyebrows. “How’s it going with Cori?”
A large smile spread over his lips. “Splendid.”
“I gathered that, last night, when you were giving her a tonsil inspection,” she laughed.
He turned pink. “How about you?”
Her heart did a little dance. “Splendid,” she gushed, mimicking Scotty’s British accent.
His eyes softened. “I’m glad, love. You deserve to have some happiness.”
“Thank you.” Piper could hardly wait for this evening.
The bell over the front door jingled.
“Looks like you’re up,” Scotty said as he strolled to the back.
Piper rose to her feet as she went to help the two women who’d just stepped in. “Hello,” she said cheerily, “is there anything I can help you with?”
The older of the two spoke. “Yes, we’re looking for a print to go over my daughter’s mantel.” The younger one smiled. Piper pieced together that she was the daughter. “I understand that you carry Nolan Vant’s work.”
Piper brought her hands together. “Yes, we do. Are you looking for anything of his in particular?”
“We’d just like to see everything you have.”
“Fantastic.” Piper motioned. “All of these photographs in the front are Nolan’s. We have a few more that we’re bringing up from other areas of t
he gallery.”
The older woman smiled courteously. “Thank you. We’ll start up here.”
“If you need anything, please let me know,” Piper offered, not wanting to hover.
“Actually,” the younger woman said, “it would be great if you could tell us a little about each piece.”
“Of course. Let’s start over here with his Summer Sunrise Collection.”
An hour and a half later, the women were still undecided. Piper had learned the art of patience when it came to dealing with customers. Still, she was ready for the women to make a decision. A practiced smile stretched over her lips. “What do you think?” Her feet were starting to ache from standing so long in her heels.
The women looked at each other. “Well?” Claire, the mother, asked.
Julie exhaled a heavy breath. “My favorites are Serene Forest and Jagged Peaks.”
“But?” Claire prompted.
“But they feel so static … so ordinary.”
Piper bit back a smile. She couldn’t have said it any better herself.
“I thought you wanted a Nolan Vant piece,” Claire countered, the corners of her lips drooping.
Julie shrugged. “I thought so, but now I’m not sure.” She squared her jaw, her voice rising in volume as she spoke faster. “I want something with more movement … something that grabs me.” She stopped, giving Piper a sheepish smile. “Sorry, that probably sounds crazy.”
“No, not at all. I get you perfectly,” Piper said, the fire in her belly stoking. It was refreshing to meet someone like Julie. The art world needed more free thinkers rather than sheep who purchased pieces simply because they were told over and over that the pieces were great.
“Do you have something that you could recommend?” Julie asked tentatively.
It was always interesting to pick up on the dynamics of the relationships of those who came into the gallery. Piper could tell that Julie was stymied by her mother’s domineering manner. She looked at the women’s faces. Julie was hopeful, Claire annoyed. Piper’s pulse bumped up several notches. Did she dare show her own work? She swallowed. “You know what? I might have something.” Her heart was turning somersaults in her chest as she led the women back to the rack.
One Perfect Day Page 6
