by Cindy Kirk
“Anyway, we were talking about—”
“Have you and Anders answered any of these questions?” Sasha flipped one card over and showed it to Piper. Her eyes twinkled. “Are all the questions this racy?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t really had a chance to look through the deck.”
“Forget gin rummy.” Sasha sliced a hand through the air like an umpire calling a play safe in a baseball game. “This will be lots more fun. Let’s answer one of these. You go first. Answer it how you think Anders would answer it, then how you’d answer it about yourself.”
“Sasha, I’m not really into playing twenty questions tonight.” Piper offered her sister a bright smile. “I thought we could talk about—”
“Forget conversation. After the thing with Mom, I’m all talked out. Besides, we’re not doing twenty questions.” Sasha rolled her eyes. “We’re doing one. Maybe two. That’s it. C’mon, Piper, let’s have some fun.”
Piper couldn’t bring up Heath’s cheating now. The opportunity had passed. The only thing she could hope was that another opportunity might arise because of one of the questions. “You draw first, and then answer.”
“No. I draw, and you go first.”
Piper decided it wasn’t worth arguing over. She knew how stubborn her sister could be. “Okay.”
Sasha pulled a card from the middle of the deck and read, “What’s your favorite trait of mine?”
Piper hesitated.
“Remember, you’re going to answer how you think Anders would when thinking of you.”
Piper thought of the short time she’d known Anders. Would her answer even be accurate? It was only a game, she reminded herself. She could almost hear Heath’s voice in her head. Why are you so serious about everything? She shoved the thought aside.
“I think Anders would say his favorite trait of mine is my determination to pursue what’s important to me.”
“That’s good. Real good.” An odd look crossed Sasha’s face. “What would you say is your favorite trait of his?”
This question was easy. Piper didn’t have to even take a minute to think.
“The way he listens to me.” Piper’s lips curved as she remembered how it felt to have those golden eyes focused so intently on her. “If I have something to say or something I need to talk about, he gives me his complete and total attention. He genuinely cares about what I have to say.”
Just saying the words brought a rush of warmth.
Sasha cleared her throat. “It makes you feel special when someone focuses on you that way.”
Piper nodded. “I’ve been with guys who were always looking around when I talked, as if searching for someone more interesting.”
“Or prettier.”
“Or prettier,” Piper conceded with a rueful smile. “The thing I’ve come to realize is there’s always someone prettier.”
Sasha nodded, her eyes turning dark.
“Your turn.” Piper found herself eager to see how Sasha would respond. “How would Heath answer the question?”
Her sister’s gaze grew distant.
Piper hoped Sasha’s delay in answering was because there were so many things Heath liked about her that she found it difficult to pick just one.
Time stretched and extended.
“I’m sure there are so many traits. All you need to do is pick the one you think is his favorite.” Piper offered her sister an encouraging smile.
Sasha took a breath, then let it out. “I guess it would be how most of his associates appear to like me.”
Not really a trait, Piper thought, but she wasn’t about to quibble. “I can see that. You’re very approachable.”
Sasha shot her a relieved smile. “Good. Now that we’re done with that—”
“What is your favorite trait of his?” Piper wanted to get the conversation back on Heath.
Sasha moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. “I-I suppose it’s how he’s so work-focused. Being a success is everything to him.”
Piper thought her sister’s observation was spot-on. Nothing wrong with being goal-oriented, but her sister’s last comment gave her pause. She wondered if Sasha realized just how telling that comment was…
“I need to get some sleep.” Sasha jumped up from the bed.
“I thought we’d do another question.” Piper held the deck up and offered an enticing smile. “Lots to choose from.”
“I’m done with those.” Sasha scrunched up her face. “They aren’t as much fun as I thought they’d be.”
Piper awoke the next morning to find her mother and sister packed to leave.
She stared in confusion at the two suitcases by the door. “I thought your flight wasn’t until tomorrow.”
“It isn’t, but we’re going to do standby.” Jenn’s lips pressed together for a second. “While our stay here has been perfectly lovely, we’ve achieved our purpose of Sasha choosing a dress, and we’re ready to head home. Our men will be home from their trip today. We want to be there to greet them.”
Piper shifted her gaze to Sasha. “We didn’t do your measurements. I wanted to at least get the first muslin fitting.”
Jenn’s sharp gaze skewered her youngest daughter. “You told me that was all done.”
“I took my measurements yesterday,” Sasha assured her mother before turning to Piper. “They’re on the counter in the store to the left of the register.”
“Okay.” Piper forced a smile. “If you watch the store for me now, I should be able to cut out the dress in muslin so you can try it on. Measurements are good, but a fitting would be more exact.”
Sasha shifted from one foot to the other.
Piper thought how much more difficult this whole process was going to be without that first fitting. “Surely you’re not in that much of a rush. I can get on it right now.”
“I’m eager to get back and see Heath.” Sasha waved a hand. “Being forced to sleep on the floor has left me with an aching back.”
“I offered you my bed. And, to be clear, you weren’t on the floor,” Piper said pointedly. “You were on an air mattress.”
“That sofa bed isn’t much better,” her mother groused.
The good feelings Piper had regained toward her sister vanished. The rudeness was no more than she’d expect from her mother. But Sasha had seemed different this weekend. More approachable. In fact, after her talk with Anders last night, and then talking with Sasha afterward, Piper was more than ready to tell her sister about her own experience with Heath.
When she’d gone to bed last night, Piper had wondered if a heart-to-heart would even be necessary. Unless she was mistaken, Sasha had sounded a little disillusioned with Heath. The vibes that Sasha had been giving off about her fiancé had been distinctly cool.
“Thank you for your hospitality, Piper.” Jenn leaned forward and air-kissed Piper’s cheeks. “Keep us informed on the progress of the dress.”
Piper nodded, then shifted her gaze to her sister. “I hoped you might stay longer.”
“She spoke with Heath this morning. He called from the airport early.” Jenn smiled. “Her darling fiancé wants her home when he gets there.”
Giving a nod of acknowledgment to her mother, Piper kept her eyes on Sasha. “You could still stay a day or two more.”
“I can’t.” Sasha’s smile didn’t reach her eyes, but for a second, warmth returned before disappearing again. “I…can’t.”
“I understand.” Piper glanced at the suitcases. “Can I carry these down for you?”
“That would be nice,” her mother said.
“I’ve got mine.” Sasha positioned the strap over her shoulder. “Tell Anders good-bye for us. And…everyone.” Unexpectedly, Sasha leaned forward to give Piper a fierce hug. “Take care of yourself.”
Ten minutes later, Piper bid them happy holidays and watched them drive off in the rental car.
What had just happened?
Something was clearly going on. Heath wanted Sasha back home? C
onsidering how possessive he could be at times, she supposed that made sense. But Piper had the feeling more was going on than either Sasha or their mother would admit.
Her mother had been visibly upset, too, much more upset than Piper would expect over a simple argument with her youngest.
Secrets. She could practically smell them in the air. These had a foul odor.
Ever since her experience with Heath, Piper had little tolerance for secrets of any kind. That’s why she appreciated Anders so much. The guy was an open book.
Piper’s plans for the day had been shaken up. She’d hoped Sasha would help out today in the store. In between customers, she would take her sister’s measurements. If business hit a slow spot, she might be able to get the muslin pattern cut out and stitched together so her sister could try it on before she returned to Atlanta.
The upside of her mother and sister being gone was that she could have more time with Anders. Except, now that her family had left, there was no longer a need for him to play the part of the loving boyfriend.
Of course, there had been no need for him to assume that role to begin with. At the heart of everything, they were friends who lived next door to each other.
As she hurried to get ready to open the store, Piper smiled, hoping she’d get to see her friend today.
Chapter Twenty
Anders thought about Piper’s comment that night and into the next morning, when he rose early to meet Jeremy at the pond at Rakes Farm. At the party last night, Jeremy had mentioned he was going to check the thickness of the ice this morning.
Because he liked knowing how such things worked, Anders had asked if he could join him.
After using an ice augur to carve a hole in the ice, Jeremy inserted a tape measure. Two inches thick.
“I’m not surprised.” Jeremy straightened. “We haven’t had near enough freezing days. Not only that, the snow we’ve had provides excellent insulation and slows down the formation.”
“What kind of weather is best for producing ice?” Anders wrapped his wool scarf more securely around his neck.
“Freezing temperatures, no snow and clear skies,” Jeremy told him. “Oh, and moderate winds. Those conditions help pull heat out of the water.”
“Accelerating the growth of ice.”
“Exactly.” Jeremy glanced over the snow-covered pond. “I was curious to see how the ice is progressing, but skating on the pond is usually more of a December or January occurrence.”
“Thanks for showing me how it’s done.” Anders cocked his head. “How thick does the ice need to be for you to open it up for skating?”
“Some sources say four inches. I prefer six, just because of the volume of people we get on it at one time.” Jeremy’s cheeks, despite being covered in blond scruff, were red from the cold. “I’m also using those measurements for clear ice, which is twice as strong as white ice.”
“It’s nice of you to open your pond to the public.”
“My family settled this region. The people here are like family.”
“Ever thought about living anywhere else?” Anders hunched his shoulders against the stiff northern wind as they made their way up the hill toward the house.
“Not really.” Jeremy shot him a sideways glance. “Are you considering staying?”
“I am.” Anders still couldn’t pinpoint when he’d begun to seriously consider the possibility. He knew only that once Piper left his place last night, he’d spent the rest of the evening finalizing a business plan.
“I assume you have some ideas for what you’d do should you decide to stay.”
Jeremy, Anders realized, was easy to talk to. He could see them becoming friends if he stayed in Good Hope. Perhaps he and Piper could go out for an evening with—
Anders pulled himself up short. The decision to stay in Good Hope had to be based on what he wanted, what was best for his life going forward. Though he had to admit living in the same town as Piper would be a big plus.
“I’ve done more thinking about the type of business I’d like to start.” Without further preamble, Anders laid out the particulars. Speaking with Jeremy only solidified it in his mind.
“Sounds like this venture would be an excellent addition to Good Hope.”
“I’m meeting with David, Ethan and Kyle this afternoon regarding potential commercial sites for the retail operation.”
“Good plan.” Jeremy opened the door to his home. “Let’s grab a cup of coffee, and you can tell me more.”
Anders stepped into the kitchen and came up short. Sitting at the table were Gladys, Ruby and Katherine.
The three looked up from their coffee cups.
Jeremy pinned his grandmother with his gaze. “That better be decaf in that cup, Gram.”
“It’s full-throttle,” Ruby told him with an impish twinkle in her eyes. She lifted a hand. “Dr. Passmore told me I could have one cup a day of the real thing.”
Shifting her gaze from Jeremy to Anders, Ruby offered a welcoming smile. “It’s good to see you again.”
Anders returned her smile. “It’s always a pleasure to see you ladies.”
She started to push back her chair, but Jeremy motioned her down. “Stay where you are. I’ll tend to our guest.”
“Delphinium is upstairs with the baby,” Katherine advised. “She’ll be down shortly.”
While Jeremy pulled two mugs from the cupboard and moved to the coffeemaker, Gladys studied Anders.
“What are you doing with this guy when you could be spending time with Piper?” Gladys gestured with her head toward Jeremy.
Anders decided to keep the explanation simple. “Piper is working today. Her mother and sister are also in town.”
“They left this morning.” Gladys smiled. “How many relationship questions have you answered?”
“Don’t badger the boy, Gladys.” Ruby reached for a second scone.
“Who’s badgering who?” Fin strolled into the room, a chubby baby on her hip.
Handing Anders his cup, Jeremy stepped to his wife, brushed a kiss across her cheek and lifted the child from her arms. “How’s my big boy?”
A smile broke out on the child’s face, and Anders felt a stirring of something that felt an awful lot like envy. Until he’d spent time in Beck’s household, he hadn’t given much thought to what it’d be like to be a father.
He could see himself as a father. Not right now, but in the future.
“We went and checked the ice on the pond,” Jeremy was telling Fin. “Just two inches.”
“I expected as much.” Fin shifted her attention to Anders. “Ruby brought a bag of scones from Ami’s bakery. Can I get you one?”
“Thanks, but I’ll pass.”
Jeremy planted a kiss on top of his son’s head before handing the baby back to Fin. “Anders and I have a few last details to work out. We’ll be in the library, so we shouldn’t disturb you.”
Fin waved a hand. “We’ll be fine.”
As they left the room, Anders heard Gladys ask to hold the baby.
The library had a soaring ceiling and shelves of books lining all the walls. Jeremy pulled the door shut behind them. “I swear Gladys has ears like a bat. My grandmother isn’t far behind.”
“Does Ruby visit often?”
“Even though she has an apartment at the Living Center, this is her home. She adores Eddie—and the feeling is mutual—so she’s here a lot.” Jeremy smiled. “Fin and I wish she’d live with us full-time, but she loves being close to her friends.”
Instead of sitting, Anders took his coffee to the window and looked out over the vast expanse of white. “It’s easy to see how my brother fell in love with Good Hope.”
“It’s a great place to live and raise a family.” Jeremy’s tone remained matter-of-fact. “There’s lots of single women here. I realize Gladys is pushing Piper on you—”
Anders turned away from the window. “Piper and I are together because we want to be together. Gladys may want it, too, but that d
oesn’t change the fact that Piper’s the only one I want. At least as it stands now.”
Jeremy nodded. “Enough about the personal. Let’s talk business. If you need extra capital, I hope you’ll come to me. I’m looking to invest in new ventures.”
Anders hesitated. He knew Beck thought a lot of Jeremy’s business acumen. His brother had mentioned Jeremy had grown restless since his term as mayor had ended. Rakes Farm practically managed itself, so it wasn’t enough of a challenge.
“How about I shoot you my business plan? You can take a look, then we can talk.”
Surprise flittered across Jeremy’s face. “You’ve already got a business plan drawn up?”
Anders smiled. “Including a very detailed market analysis.”
“How did you get that pulled together so quickly?”
“I’ve got friends who are analysis junkies.” Anders took a long sip of coffee and realized he was finally warm. “What they can do in a day or two would take me weeks.”
“If you’re looking for retail space, I’m betting you can get a good deal on some space on Wrigley.” Jeremy smiled. “It will help that those guys know your brother. And if you let me in on the deal, I’ll put pressure on mine.”
Though Anders preferred a place closer to the water, Wrigley would work for retail and booking operations. “Who’s your brother?”
“Kyle Kendrick.”
Anders couldn’t hide his surprise. “First I heard of that connection. You don’t have the same last name.”
“Long story.” Jeremy smiled. “The important part is these family ties would ensure we’d get the best deal possible. Though, bottom line, these guys are businessmen and won’t give anything away. When do you think you’ll know for certain you want to move forward?”
“Soon,” Anders told him. “I need to discuss this with Beck first.”
“Make sure he doesn’t mind you hanging around town?”
Anders chuckled. “Something like that.”
The truth was, there was something Anders needed to get off his chest with Beck, something that concerned Lisette. Talking with Piper last night had brought home his own moral failings. The guilt that had put a wedge between him and the brother he loved had surged to the surface.
