by Cindy Kirk
Her suggestion of illusion sleeves—too matronly, according to Sasha—was brushed aside. As was Piper’s suggestion of going with a pleated A-line skirt—too juvenile, according to Jenn.
Piper tried once again to sell her sister on an elegant sheath, then moved on when she once again received a firm no.
She pulled up a dress similar to one she’d shown Sasha when they were on Zoom.
“As I suggested before, if you go with embroidery and beading here and here,” Piper pointed, “it would create a nice, silhouette.”
“Let me.” Sasha lifted the tablet out of Piper’s hands and scrolled, clicking here, then moving on. “What’s this?”
Piper shrugged as she gazed down at the image of a traditional ball gown wedding dress. “It caught my eye.”
“‘Lace-appliqued tulle creation,’” Sasha read from the description. “‘Pearl and crystal beading give a soft glow to the scalloped bodice and full skirt, as classic buttons embellish the sheer illusion back.’”
Piper nodded. She’d seen the dress online and had fallen instantly in love.
“Can you make me one like this?” Sasha asked. “With a few changes, of course. This style appears more geared toward a bride with your figure than mine.”
For a second, Piper debated how to tactfully tell her sister that there were dozens of other styles that would suit her better. Then, she remembered, they’d been down this road.
Piper remembered how dazzled she’d been when she’d seen this marvelous creation. “If this is the one you want, I’ll do it.”
The dress had been chosen. Sasha would wear Piper’s dream dress when she walked down the aisle to marry Piper’s ex.
Twelve hours from the time she first rolled out of bed, Piper went into the bathroom, turned the lock and rested her head against the back of the door. This was the first time she’d been alone all day. Though the response to Swoon’s Black Friday sale had buoyed her spirits, exhaustion settled over her shoulders like a shroud.
Pushing off from the door, Piper told herself to get into the shower. The party at Rakes Farm started soon, and her mother and sister were already ready. Of course, that was understandable, considering she’d given them first shot at the bathroom.
The phone in her pocket dinged. Only then did she realize she’d brought it into the bathroom with her. Pulling it from her pocket, she glanced at the text from Anders.
I’m counting down the minutes.
Before she could stop herself, she replied with complete and total honesty. I’ve missed you.
Can you meet downstairs for five? There won’t be any alone time at the party.
Until that moment, she hadn’t realized Anders would be at this evening’s event. She should have considered it. After all, both Beck and Ami were business owners in Good Hope.
She really shouldn’t…
There was that word again.
Before she could change her mind, she dashed off her response.
Opening the door, she grabbed her coat from the hook.
Her mother and sister sat on the sofa, glasses of wine in hand.
Jenn frowned. “Where are you going?”
“Just downstairs for a minute.”
“Whatever for? You need to get ready. You haven’t even had your shower or done anything with your hair.”
“That’s because she let us use the shower first, Mom.” Sasha’s lips lifted in a wry smile.
“Neither of us is in there now,” Jenn said pointedly.
“I’m meeting Anders for a few minutes downstairs. He…he has something he wants to, ah, talk with me about.”
Sasha grinned and made kissing noises.
Piper couldn’t stop the heat from searing her cheeks. “I won’t be long.”
She bolted with the sound of her sister’s laughter following her down the stairs.
Anders stood inside the door. “You left the outer door unlocked.”
She couldn’t take her gaze off his face. Something about him steadied her in a way no one before ever had.
“I’ll make sure to lock it tonight.” She winked and stepped closer. “Wouldn’t want the riffraff getting in.”
“You look gorgeous.”
She smiled, then quickly sobered. “Not according to my mother.”
Anders stepped closer to her, brushed a strand of hair behind her ear with a gentle finger. “What does she know?”
“Everything,” Piper quipped. “Just ask her.”
He laughed and wrapped his arms around her.
When she lifted a brow, he grinned. “I’m your boyfriend.”
Because having his arms around her felt so good, she didn’t argue. She tipped her head back. “Thanks for the text last night. It really impressed my sister.”
“Did it impress you?”
If only the words had been true…
“It was good to hear from you.”
“If that’s the best I get from you, I’ll take it.” He studied her thoughtfully. “When you texted you missed me, was that for your sister’s benefit?”
She shook her head, feeling embarrassed by the urgent need to see him. “Having my mom and sister in the apartment with me is exhausting. I found myself thinking of you and the puzzle and…missing all of it.”
“Rough day?”
She nodded.
“How was business?”
“Busy.” She smiled. “The one bright spot. Sasha even pitched in to wait on customers when she saw how busy I was.”
“What about your mom?”
“She doesn’t like retail.” Piper sighed and did what she’d been wanting to do since he’d put his arms around her. She rested her head against his chest.
His hand softly stroked her hair.
“What did you do today?”
“I took a group of Saplings snowshoeing.” He smiled. “Their leader was sick, and the assistant didn’t have any experience. Marigold apparently was involved with the troop when they were Seedlings and suggested me as a fill-in.”
From growing up in Good Hope, Piper was well aware of the scouting organization that was unique to the area. Seedlings were the youngest, with Saplings coming next. Which meant the group he’d taken out on the trail had been late-elementary-school to early-middle-school age.
“You enjoyed it.” She heard it in his voice, saw it in his eyes.
“I’d have had more fun if you’d been with me.” He lightly brushed her lips with his.
“You say the nicest things.”
“Piper.” Sasha skidded to a stop at the bottom of the stairs. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“I suppose you were sent down to fetch me.” Piper slanted a glance up at Anders. “Can’t have a daughter show up to a party looking anything less than her best.”
“You look amazing just the way you are right now.”
“Thank you for that.” Impulsively, she kissed him on the nose. “On that note, I’m going to head upstairs and jump into the shower.”
“I’ll see you soon.” Anders shifted his gaze to Sasha. “Piper tells me you helped her out in the store. That was nice of you.”
“I enjoyed it. Well…” Sasha gazed at Anders as if trying to figure him out. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“I’ll be there.” His gaze shifted back to Piper. “Seriously, you look amazing just as you are.”
Piper chuckled. “Would you mind locking the door behind you?”
“Absolutely.”
Piper followed her sister up the stairs. They were nearly to the top when Sasha turned.
“You know what, Piper?”
Piper braced herself. “What?”
“I think he really means all those nice things he says to you.”
“If he didn’t,” Piper kept her tone light, “why would he say them?”
Sasha sighed. “Who knows why men do the things they do?”
Although Piper had told them the party tonight would be casual, Jenn insisted Sasha wear the black dress s
he’d brought with her.
The dress, a long-sleeved jersey that fit her slender body like a glove, could be dressed up with pearls and heels or dressed down with boots. Trusting her sister’s feeling on the matter, Sasha paired the dress with a pair of over-the-knee metallic boots she’d bought on a whim.
Though the boots got rave reviews from her friends, Heath had taken one look at them and told her she looked like a hooker.
Grabbing a glass of wine from a passing waiter, Sasha smiled. Well, her fiancé wasn’t here now, was he? He was at the Harbour Town Clubhouse in Hilton Head, likely flirting with every pretty woman in sight.
It didn’t matter how much he flirted, she told herself, when she was the only woman he wanted, the one he loved. He’d told her as much when she’d confessed that his flirting with other women made her feel uncertain of his feelings.
When she’d pressed, telling him his actions were disrespectful to her, he’d become angry that she didn’t trust him. She did trust him. She wouldn’t be marrying him if she’d had doubts.
Sasha glanced at her mother, knowing how much her parents had already paid out for deposits on the reception venue, on the church, for the catering. No, if she’d had doubts, she would never have let things get this far.
Still, her gaze settled on where her sister stood with Anders across the room. Though their relationship was new—she learned he’d been in town less than a month—the way he looked at Piper, well, it made Sasha’s heart sigh.
They’d offered to introduce her around, but Sasha knew when three was a crowd. Thankfully, her mother had excused herself to chat with some old friends.
Sasha didn’t mind being alone. This was pretty much the way it was whenever she went to a party with Heath. He’d go his way to network, she’d go hers. At the end of the event, they’d meet up and discuss their evening.
Being on her own at parties had become the norm. This evening, she was comfortable relaxing by the fire with her glass of wine and making idle conversation with those who passed by. In a few minutes, she might snag an appetizer, though only one. Her soon-to-be husband had a thing against fat chicks.
“I don’t believe we’ve met.”
Sasha turned at the sound of the cultured voice and realized this was someone new. She was sure he hadn’t been at Muddy Boots on Thanksgiving. She’d never have forgotten such a strikingly handsome man.
His hair, dark as a raven’s wing, and his eyes, like smoke, made up only part of the appealing picture. With classically handsome features along with a lean but muscular body, this man had it all. Including intelligence and good humor lurking in the gray depths of his eyes.
“Hello.” Sasha smiled and sipped her wine.
He studied her for a moment, then smiled back. “I’m Ethan Shaw, and you are…”
“Sasha Ambrose.” When Sasha shifted her drink from her right hand to her left in order to shake the hand he extended, she realized she’d left her engagement ring at Piper’s by the bathroom sink.
Though Heath chastised her every time, she always took her ring off when she washed her hands. She didn’t like the soap residue dimming the shine. Though listening to Heath rag at her had the same effect.
“Ambrose.” Ethan searched the room, and his gaze settled on her sister.
Piper stood beside the colonnade with Anders, his hand resting lightly against her back while they spoke with another couple. The two hadn’t been apart since Anders had strolled up to them when they first arrived.
The silence between her and Ethan extended, and Sasha realized he was waiting for an answer. “Piper is my sister. My mother and I came to town for…Thanksgiving.”
Sasha had nearly told him she was on the hunt for a wedding dress. But that would bring Heath into the conversation, and she didn’t want to discuss her fiancé. She hadn’t heard from him all day, not even one sweet little text like the one Anders had sent Piper.
Ethan inclined his head. “How long are you staying?”
“We’re supposed to leave on Sunday.” Sasha wasn’t sure why she’d said it that way. Supposed to leave. Except she wasn’t certain she’d be ready to go that soon.
If it were up to her, she’d put her mother on the next flight to Atlanta, while she stayed with Piper. After all, there was no job for her to rush back to, and Heath had made it clear he had a big project and would be working a lot of hours in December.
“Are you considering staying longer?”
She lifted the glass to her lips. “I’m considering lots of things.”
“If I’m recalling correctly, you grew up here before you moved to—”
“Atlanta,” she said.
“You remember how special the holidays are in Good Hope.”
“I do somewhat, but I was in middle school when we moved, and my memories are a little hazy.”
“Maybe,” Ethan’s eyes danced with merriment, “you should stay so you can be reminded.”
He was flirting with her, and she was flirting back. No different than how Heath behaved at every party they ever attended. But she wasn’t like Heath. She was engaged, and it wasn’t right for her to let Ethan Shaw think she was available.
“Look, I—”
He put a hand on her arm, and she could feel the heat through the jersey. “I’d love to stay and get better acquainted, but someone I invited to the party has just arrived.”
“I understand. I was simply a placeholder.” Sasha chuckled, actually feeling better about their interaction. She let her gaze briefly scan the room, focusing on the entrance to this large parlor. “Whoever she is, I can guarantee she won’t have boots like these.”
Sasha lifted one leg so he could admire her shiny footwear.
“Very striking.” He lowered his voice to a husky whisper. “The boots caught my eye.”
“The story of my life.” Sasha heaved a melodramatic breath. “It’s always the boots that dazzle. I’m the afterthought.”
“You could never be anyone’s afterthought.” His admiring gaze slid over her. “I’ll let you in on a little secret. I’m not meeting a woman, but a potential business partner. He’s also an old friend from high school.”
“In that case,” Sasha made a shooing gesture, “be on your way, sir. Time is money.”
How many times had she heard Heath voice a variation of that sentiment? Sasha resisted the urge to sigh. Too many times. Still, she admired her fiancé’s drive and ambition.
Ethan studied her for a long moment. “Our paths will cross again.”
For a split second, she thought he might lift her hand to his lips…and how ridiculously sweet would that be?
“Good-bye, Sasha.”
She settled for wiggling her fingers and smiling. Lifting her glass to her lips, she realized it was empty and set out to find a refill.
Chapter Eighteen
“You have a beautiful home,” Piper told Fin. “The seasonal touches add to the warm, welcoming feel of the interior.”
“I give all credit to Lindsay.” Fin sipped her club soda. “The things she can do with flowers are amazing.”
“I’m glad you could both make it,” Jeremy added.
“Thanks for letting me crash.” Anders rocked back on his heels. Like Jeremy and many of the other men in attendance this evening, he’d dressed simply for the party in jeans, boots and a sweater. “I realize this event was supposed to be strictly for business owners.”
“I’d love to add you to our list of business owners,” Jeremy said.
Instead of dismissing the suggestion, Anders chuckled. “First, I’d have to figure out what type of business is needed.”
“If you come round sometime next week, we can talk possibilities.” As if concerned he’d been ignoring Piper, Jeremy shifted his gaze. “How was traffic on Wrigley today?”
“Brisk.” Piper pretended to wipe sweat from her brow. “I was worried, but by the end of the day, I’d surpassed last year’s record.”
“It’ll take a while to build those busi
nesses.” Fin’s sharp-eyed gaze searched hers. “Do you think you’ll be able to hold on for that to happen?”
Fin’s directness, her no-nonsense approach, was one of the things Piper most admired about her. If she thought it, she said it.
“I hope so,” Piper answered, feeling that a straightforward question demanded an honest answer.
Piper didn’t mention her custom wedding gowns, or the fact that she might be making her sister’s dress. Those jobs were few and far between and couldn’t be counted on for day-to-day expenses.
At her side, Anders sipped his beer and listened. It was a refreshing change to be with a guy who didn’t monopolize the conversation.
Fin placed a hand on her husband’s arm. “Dexter Woodard is here.”
“If you’ll excuse us, an old high school classmate just arrived.” Jeremy smiled. “He’s in town for Thanksgiving. When Fin and I heard he was here, we invited him. I want to make sure he’s properly welcomed.”
When they strode away, Anders’s eyes followed them. “Which one is Dexter?”
Piper figured that while there were many people Anders recognized here tonight, the majority were still likely strangers.
“He’s the tall guy, dark hair, glasses.”
Anders nodded as he studied the man. “Did you know him in high school?”
“I knew his name and who he was, but if you’re asking if we were friends, no.” Piper gave a little chuckle. “Dexter was a brain. Scary-smart, but a little awkward. He was a Science Olympiad guy. If I’m remembering correctly, he and Ethan were on the same team.”
“You’ve got quite a memory of the guy for not knowing him,” Anders teased.
“Bea had a crush on him back in the day, but he didn’t know she existed.” Piper considered the two. “I don’t believe they’d have been a good match. Clay is perfect for her.”
“That’s what happens when you don’t rush into anything,” Anders quipped. “You’re available when the right one comes along.”
“Did you steal that from some country song?”
