True to You in Good Hope: A Good Hope Novel Book 15

by Cindy Kirk

  “What are you doing out here?” Her voice sounded breathless. She felt breathless.

  “I promised you a tree.” Anders gestured with his head toward the large fir.

  “It’s huge. Where did you get it?”

  “I went to the lot at Rakes Farm. I wanted to be sure you have a good tree. The best tree. And I guess it is rather large.”

  Was it only Piper’s imagination, or did Anders sound a little breathless himself?

  “I can, ah, help you carry it up the stairs,” he said. “If you’d like. It’s really heavy.”

  “Okay.”

  His eyes widened. “Okay?”

  Piper gave a jerky nod.

  The tree was heavy but manageable with the two of them working together. When Anders went back down to bring up the tree stand, Piper thought of another thing Ami had said earlier. Sometimes it’s worth it to persevere and get through the rough patches.

  Could this, with Anders, be just a rough patch?

  “Here’s the stand. I got the last one the General Store had in stock.” He paused in the doorway, as if unsure of his welcome. “If you want to put it up yourself, I can leave it with you.”

  She gestured with one hand, her gaze never leaving his face. “Why don’t you just set it on the table for now?”

  Once he did as she’d requested, he turned to her.

  “Before I leave…” Anders swallowed hard. “I want you to know how sorry I am. I never wanted Swoon to fail, but I can see how you might have gotten that impression. David knew you were struggling to make it work and suggested if I took over your lease, that would help you out. I told him immediately that there was no way I’d do that unless you were the one who made the decision to shut down and made the decision without anyone pressuring you.”

  Anders paused then took a breath and continued. “I feared that if I told you what David mentioned to me that you would feel pressured, by me, to throw in the towel. I swear to you that I hoped with everything I am that your business would pick up. And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you all of that before you found out the way you did. I could have headed off the whole thing by just being honest, but I didn’t know how to do it without seeming like I was trying to influence your decisions. Does that make sense?”

  Piper’s heart swelled. He’d been concerned about how best to support her, exactly what she’d always wished for. A lump filled her throat. “Yes. It makes sense. It makes perfect sense.”

  He reached out a hand to her, and the bald look of hope in his eyes touched the very center of her heart.

  Piper extended her hand, meeting him halfway. When his fingers closed around hers, the rightness of it all washed over her.

  “I love you, Piper.” His beautiful golden eyes never wavered from her face. “Nothing is as important to me as you. I would much rather have you than any outfitter business, and if you’ll let me, I’d like to help you save Swoon instead.”

  “No, you need to pursue your own dreams. I want you to have your own success. I’ve got some future plans that excite me that we can talk about later, if you’d like.”

  “I’d like that very much.”

  She tightened her fingers around his. “First, I want to say I’m sorry I didn’t let you explain that night. I think you tried to tell me about the lease thing before we got to Ami and Beck’s, but I shut you down.”

  “I should have tried harder. I could have prevented the whole misunderstanding.”

  “It’s okay, Anders. My head was so messed up that night because of my decision to close Swoon and how things went down with Sasha. I jumped to conclusions because my world already seemed to be crashing down around me. You know like when you drop a box of puzzle pieces on the floor, and everything gets jumbled?”

  He nodded, his expression solemn. “Continuing with the puzzle analogy, I believe, like puzzle pieces, some people simply fit. You and me, Piper, we fit. When things get jumbled in our lives, I want to be there for you just like I know you’ll be there for me. Can you forgive me for being, as my father would say, a dolt?”

  “Only if you can forgive me for jumping to conclusions and not giving you the chance to explain.”

  “Done,” he said quickly, grinning.

  She laughed, and when he opened his arms, Piper stepped into them.

  “I love you, Anders.” She kissed his lips and the taste was incredibly sweet. “So very much.”

  His arms tightened around her, and he expelled a shuddering breath.

  Piper rested her head against his chest and gazed at the gorgeous tree—their tree—propped against the wall. “Thank you for the tree.”

  Anders brushed a kiss against her hair. “I have a special ornament in my pocket that goes with it.”

  She tipped back her head, her curiosity piqued. “What kind of ornament?”

  When he released her and stepped back, Piper wished she hadn’t asked. She preferred being in his arms. Then he pulled out a ring box and dropped to one knee.

  She gasped and covered her mouth with her hands.

  “Being without you this past week has been pure torture,” he said. “I love you so much and can’t imagine going through life without you by my side.” He flipped open the box to reveal a large emerald-cut diamond. “I believe that in Good Hope we can achieve the balance and have the life we both want. I promise to put you before all else and be true to you always.”

  The joyful tears pushing at Piper’s lids slipped down her cheeks.

  “Will you marry me, Piper?” He met her gaze, and in those amber depths, she saw love. A love strong enough to last a lifetime. “We can put this on the tree, but I’d prefer to put it on your finger.”

  “We can make ornaments for the tree. This one is staying with me. As well as the guy who goes with it.” Piper held out her left hand, then laughed with sheer joy when he slid the ring onto her finger.

  Just like the two of them, it was, as she’d expected, a perfect fit.

  I hope you enjoyed seeing Piper and Anders get their happily ever after. Anders has been in the back of my mind since the first book in the series, Christmas in Good Hope, when Beck mentioned his brother had abruptly quit his corporate job. When Piper returned to Good Hope, I knew she’d one day have her own book.

  You’re probably wondering what’s next in the Good Hope series. I’m already working on it! That book (no final title as of yet) will be out in February. I love Good Hope and the people who live there as much as you do. Never fear, there are many, many more books to follow.

  For now, I’d love for you to take a holiday journey to Holly Pointe, Vermont and get to know the town and the people there. All journalist Stella Carpenter wants for Christmas is her life back. She finds more than she bargained for in Holly Pointe.

  Unwrap this uplifting Christmas romance now. Holly Pointe & Mistletoe (or keep reading for a sneak peek)

  Sneak Peek of Holly Pointe & Mistletoe

  Eight days ago Stella Carpenter swore off caffeine. This morning she instructed the barista to add a second shot of espresso to the grande coffee she ordered.

  She’d quit because she didn’t like being dependent on anything. Or anyone. Excluding, of course, her good friend Tasha, on whose couch she was currently crashing every night.

  Shifting impatiently from one foot to the other, Stella pulled out her phone. She had time to wait. Being summoned to your former boss’s office demanded a little liquid courage.

  The middle-aged man behind the counter held up a cup and cast a glance in her direction. “Stella.”

  Until she’d been reduced in force from the Miami Sun Times three months ago, Stella had visited this particular freestanding kiosk daily. Eduardo had been a barista at this stand since she’d started her job two years earlier.

  “It’s good to see you again.” His voice was as warm as the morning sun. “Are you working out of the office today?”

  Her heart lurched as she lifted the cup from his hand. “Just came in for a meeting.”

  St
ella stuffed a bill into the tip jar, then headed in the direction of the beautiful art deco building housing the Miami Sun Times.

  Even though it was nine a.m. and almost Thanksgiving, heat already rose from the sidewalk, and the hairs on the back of her neck were moist. In southern Florida, there was no hoping for snow on Christmas. When her parents had relocated the family to Miami when she was in her teens, she’d quickly discovered that hot and sunny was the forecast no matter what the time of year.

  Stella’s heels clicked on the glittering sidewalk as she entered the building that housed the city’s largest newspaper. For the past two years, she’d been a reporter and—in a pinch—a photographer and videographer.

  Now her job and those of many she’d worked with were gone, replaced by freelancers.

  Cool air rushed over her as she crossed the marble floor to the security station. Once cleared, she took the ornate bronze-decorated elevator to the office of Jane Myers, the newspaper’s managing editor. The early-morning text from Jane had sent Stella’s hopes soaring.

  Freelancing had fallen short of paying her bills. It was at times like this that Stella wished her parents hadn’t put her inheritance in a trust she couldn’t touch until she turned thirty.

  She’d been lucky her lease was up. Her first action had been to let her apartment go. The past three months, she’d been bunking on Tasha’s couch.

  Tasha’s roommate had started to grumble about having another person in their small apartment. Last week Tasha had brought down the hammer, telling her she needed to be out by the first of the year. Stella understood, though she wasn’t sure where she would go.

  Thankfully, she had over a month to figure it out.

  When the elevator doors opened onto the fifth floor, Stella stepped out and paused for a long drink of the steaming coffee.

  Larissa, Jane’s personal assistant, barely gave Stella time to push back her perspiration-dampened hair before ushering her into Jane’s office.

  Her boss’s dark-brown hair was pulled back into a severe chignon. The pale-blue eyes Jane fixed on Stella were firm and direct. The red “cheaters” hanging by an eyeglass chain around her neck added a bit of whimsy, but there was nothing whimsical about Jane’s no-nonsense gaze.

  “Thank you for coming in on such short notice.” Jane rounded the desk. Her stern expression softened infinitesimally.

  Stella relaxed when Jane finally smiled but didn’t let down her guard. “I was surprised to hear from you.”

  Jane leaned against her desk as if trying to ease the formal air of the meeting.

  “It’s been a while since we’ve talked.” Jane inclined her head. “Do you have plans for Christmas?”

  Whatever the reason for this unexpected meeting with the newspaper’s managing editor, Stella knew it wasn’t to discuss holiday plans. She found it odd that Jane was asking about Christmas when they’d yet to get through Thanksgiving. “No plans. I’m hoping to pick up a freelance job or two.”

  Something flickered in Jane’s eyes, an emotion Stella couldn’t interpret. Another woman might have launched into a speech about a balanced life. Those words would never make it past Jane’s lips. No one was more of a workaholic than her former boss.

  Stella inclined her head. “What about you?”

  “I plan to have a few friends over. An eclectic group of Miami’s movers and shakers. These men and women know where all the bodies are buried. Figuratively speaking, of course. I’m hoping to dig up some juicy kernels.”

  The comment didn’t surprise Stella. Last year Jane had been brought in to shore up the Sun Times’ bottom line. Immediately after her arrival, the paper began focusing on sensationalized news instead of serious, multisource journalism.

  Stella hadn’t liked the switch. She would always be grateful she’d been able to work for several newspapers that valued high-quality journalism.

  To be fair, the Miami Sun Times wasn’t the only paper doing what it could to set itself apart. Most were doing all they could to attract readers and increase sales.

  “So, Stella. You said you’re looking to pick up more freelance jobs before the holidays. Does that mean work has been slow?”

  Her assessment caught Stella off guard, as did her expression, which struck Stella as something between concerned sibling and hungry wolf. “Well, no, not exactly—”

  “Because I know how hard freelancing can be. Especially with so many journalists competing for work.”

  Hm, Stella thought, wolf it is.

  “I have an assignment for you.” Jane straightened, her tone all business. “It will involve travel and approximately six weeks away from Miami. All expenses will be covered.”

  Before Stella could comment or ask any questions, Jane continued. “If the end product meets with my satisfaction, there may be a staff position available for you starting the first of the year.”

  Stella kept her expression impassive despite the urge to jump up and do a happy dance. A chance to be back on staff was a dream come true. She’d spent the past three months sending out resumes all over the country but had yet to receive a single bite. “I’m intrigued. Tell me more.”

  Jane gestured to the guest chair before rounding the large modern desk to sit behind it, formalizing the interaction. Her boss folded her long, elegant fingers and rested them on the shiny onyx.

  “Holly Pointe, Vermont, was recently recognized as the Christmas capital of the USA. Not just commercially, the people have been rated as the kindest in the country. The ‘capital of Christmas kindness.’” Jane’s sarcastic tone told Stella just what she thought of the honor. “I’m interested in doing a feature on the town.”

  Stella experienced a surge of excitement. This could be fun. Since her parents had passed away, holidays had been especially lonely times. Tasha was spending Christmas with her family in Jacksonville. She’d invited Stella to come along, but she’d gone the previous year and had felt like a fifth wheel. “I love heartwarming features, especially at holiday time.”

  “I don’t believe you understand.” Jane leaned forward, her eyes cool and assessing. “I’m not interested in heartwarming fluff. Positivity doesn’t sell nearly as well as drama. I want an exposé of the town’s underbelly. Whatever dirt there is, I wanted it dug up and in my inbox by December 24.”

  Stella hesitated. An infinitesimal second, but enough for Jane’s eyes to turn to ice.

  “I’m trying to help you, Stella, so I offered this to you first. But if this isn’t your cup of tea, it’s no problem. Juliet is also interested in coming back full time. I’m sure she’d be happy to take this on if you pass.”

  Though Jane offered no promises, Stella knew that if she delivered, she’d get her job back. Something told her that if she didn’t—or if she turned down this assignment—she could also kiss any freelance work good-bye.

  “I won’t disappoint you.” Stella met Jane’s steady gaze. “When do I start?”

  The day before Thanksgiving, Stella left for Holly Pointe. Instead of flying, she decided to drive the seventeen hundred miles to northern Vermont.

  Traffic was heavy, but once Thanksgiving hit, the congestion eased significantly. Everyone had likely reached their destinations and were enjoying turkey and cranberry salad with their relatives.

  That night, Stella ordered room service and researched Holly Pointe. She found numerous articles extolling the warmth and friendliness of the town’s inhabitants as well as all its wonderful traditions.

  She didn’t have traditions. Not anymore.

  Two years earlier, on a long holiday weekend just like this one, her parents had been killed by a drunk driver. Stella had been living in Gainesville at the time, working for the newspaper there, and her parents had driven up to celebrate Thanksgiving with her. They’d all been in high spirits because earlier that week she’d accepted a position with the Sun Times.

  “We’ll be able to celebrate Christmas in Miami,” her mother had happily declared as she’d slipped into the car after anot
her hug.

  Stella could still see their smiles and her father’s thumbs-up. By the time the sun had set that evening, they were dead.

  It had been her work at the Sun Times that had gotten her through those hard days after the loss. Then she’d lost that, too.

  Stella closed her laptop and flipped off the lights. Just like she had back then, she would focus on the work. Soon she would have her job and her life back.

  The next morning, Stella completed her drive to Holly Pointe, arriving just before lunchtime. She snagged a parking space on Birch Road, which, according to Google Maps was the town’s main street and the sight of last week’s Snowman Parade. Stella stepped from her SUV. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the imposing courthouse at the far end of the roadway.

  Built of brick and stone, the late nineteenth-century structure reminded Stella of a church more than a municipal building. It had rounded arches, endless gingerbread accents, and even a bell tower.

  The buildings flanking both sides of the historic downtown district were equally impressive. Quaint storefronts boasted awnings and holiday lights. Brightly colored street-pole banners already touted the upcoming Christmas season.

  Of course, for all Stella knew, those banners could be up year-round, considering that she was now in the Christmas capital of the USA. The thought made her smile as she reached the curb and turned in the direction of the coffee shop half a block away.

  Once she had pulled into the parking space, she’d taken off her driving shoes and slipped on red heels. The way she saw it, there was no reason to be unfashionable simply because she was now in the boonies.

  Stella strode quickly, eager for that first jolt of caffeine. She never saw the patch of ice. One second she was moving swiftly, enjoying the crisp air, the next her arms were whipping the air like windmills. Despite her excellent sense of balance, she could feel herself falling.

  Please don’t let me break anything, was her last thought before strong arms wrapped around her.