The sound of footsteps echoed on the stairs. There was always a lot of hustle and bustle at the inn in the morning as guests settled in for breakfast in the dining room.
“I have another surprise for you,” Trudy crowed, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
Suddenly, Rachel was standing in the doorway. With her beautiful features and lovely smile, her friend was the type of person who made quite an impression. She and her husband, Gabriel, were raising her twin daughters, Faith and Lizzy. Rachel was living proof that second chances did exist. Despite having made mistakes along the way, Rachel had walked off into the sunset with her one true love.
“Rachel. What are you doing here?” Piper felt a groundswell of emotion seeing her close friend. Due to their busy schedules they hadn’t been able to spend as much time with each other as either would have liked. Piper had been over the moon when Rachel had decided to stay in Owl Creek with her girls after a three-year absence from town.
“I’m here making a house call. One of the guests isn’t feeling well. Her symptoms indicate she’s suffering from a stomach bug, but I’m fairly certain she’ll be feeling better in twenty-four hours. I was all too happy to swing by and check on her.” Rachel gave Piper a quick hug. “I was hoping our paths would cross.”
“Being married looks good on you,” Piper said, giving Rachel the once-over.
Rachel beamed. “I’m glad it shows. I never imagined coming back home would give me the life I’ve always dreamed of having.”
“No one deserves it more than you and Gabriel,” Trudy chimed in. “And those adorable girls of yours.” Piper’s mother placed her arm around Rachel’s waist and pulled her in for a squeeze. “Excuse me, ladies. I have to go make sure there’s enough syrup on the table for the waffles.”
“She really loves running the inn,” Piper said with a grin as she watched her mother head out of the kitchen. She hoped people saw the same enthusiasm in her regarding her management of the Snowy Owl. Despite the ongoing financial strain, she could truly say she loved her job. God willing, the diner would be around for a very long time so she could pass it down to her own children. But first she needed a little romance in her life. It would be impossible to settle down if she wasn’t even dating.
“Gabriel and I were wondering if you needed any help with the holiday stroll? We’ll have the girls in tow, but we can still pitch in.”
Piper clapped her hands. “Oh, that would be wonderful, Rachel. The more the merrier. Braden has been working with me to come up with some ideas to increase business and perk up our menus. He’s been really helpful.”
Rachel wrinkled her nose. “Are those new restaurants in town still giving you trouble?”
“Let’s just say the competition is fierce.” Excitement rushed through her. “But Braden suggested I increase my pie production. We’re going to roll them out tonight for the holiday stroll, then make some available for the diner.” She shook her head and giggled. “And he has this epic idea to create these crazy milkshakes.” She put her hands together in prayer-like fashion. “Praying it all works out.”
“You seem so happy. I’m glad you and Braden are reconnecting. I know you were a bit confused and hurt when he appeared to be avoiding you.”
Piper hadn’t forgotten all of those wounded feelings. They rested just beneath the surface. On occasion they still pricked at her heart. Rachel was the only one she’d confided in about how deeply Braden’s actions had affected her. “I still sense there’s something off between us. Even though we’re working together it’s as if there’s this veil over him. He’s just not the old Braden I’ve spent so much time with over the years.”
Rachel frowned. “Do you think he’s hiding something?”
Piper bit her lip and nodded. “Yes, I do. Although I have no idea what it could be. I can’t quite put my finger on it. What could have happened to make him want to steer clear of me for such a long time? I hope I don’t sound paranoid, but he was gone from Owl Creek for so long. It just seemed as if he was running away from something.”
“Don’t shoot the messenger, but do you think he has romantic feelings for you? Sometimes those lines get blurred.”
Piper scrunched up her face. “No, I really don’t. We’ve always been just friends even though—” She stumbled over her words and stopped talking. Piper wasn’t sure she should mention the harmless smooch from the other night.
Rachel pounced on her slipup. “Even though what?”
“We were at the diner the other night and a few of my bakers were urging us to kiss under the mistletoe. He gave me a peck on the cheek, and this really strange energy surrounded us. I think we both felt awkward and uncomfortable.”
“Well, that’s not really odd considering you’ve been best friends since you were in diapers. Add in Braden’s disappearing act from Owl Creek and the fact that you haven’t been in sync lately. Honestly, it’s no small wonder it all feels a bit strained.”
“It’s not like that all the time. Sometimes it seems as if everything is back to normal between us, which is lovely.” A ragged sigh slipped past her lips. “We’ll end up laughing over a funny joke or reminiscing about something from the past. I wish those moments outweighed the ones that make me question what’s going on with him.”
“I’ve learned with my profession that we never know what another person is going through. I know the two of you always told each other your deep dark secrets, but sometimes things shift. Don’t forget his long-lost sister returned out of the blue not too long ago. Although it’s a blessing she’s been reunited with the Norths, it probably brings back a lot of traumatic memories. Braden is the strong silent type. There’s no telling what feelings he’s been suppressing.”
Piper felt a sinking sensation in her gut. Her problems with the diner had felt so all-consuming that she hadn’t paused to consider what Braden had been going through for the past few months. Piper knew all too well that the abduction of his baby sister had left scars he’d always attempted to hide from his family. Sage’s return had been a blessing, but it had brought to light the evil deeds committed by the woman who had stolen Sage, then raised her as her own child. There was no question in her mind he must still be grappling with the situation and trying to make sense of it all.
She vowed to do better at supporting Braden. If he needed a shoulder to lean on, she would provide it. Although she agreed with Rachel about the stress of Sage’s return to Owl Creek, Piper still couldn’t manage to convince herself that it was related to Braden’s aloof behavior. Every instinct told her it had something to do with her. And she still worried that this secret Braden was keeping might forever alter their friendship.
Chapter Eight
Owl Creek’s town square was lit up in shimmering lights, twinkling stars and festive garlands. A massive Christmas tree stood in the middle of the town green. It was a tradition to turn on the tree lights at the conclusion of the holiday stroll event. Everywhere he looked, Braden spotted signs of holiday bling. Kids were riding sleighs led by Alaskan malamutes and Siberian huskies. His grandparents were dressed up as Santa and Mrs. Claus. Braden chuckled as he watched kids scrambling to sit on Santa’s lap and make their heartfelt wishes.
He didn’t think he’d ever seen so many wreaths in his entire life. There were dozens hanging up all around Main Street. It seemed as if the whole town had shown up to support the local businesses and spread holiday cheer throughout the village. He’d been manning a table with Piper they’d set up on the town green. In a while he would head to the diner and get down to the business of making some of his supreme holiday shakes to lure customers inside the Snowy Owl after the h
oliday stroll.
