She looked up at him. “I can’t believe you’re taking Rudy home with you.”
Braden shoved his hands in his pockets. “Well, he really needed a home and since you couldn’t take him, I decided it should be me. Rudy and I were buddies from the moment we met. As a result, he’s the newest member of the North family.”
“Who’s going to take care of him during the day?” Piper asked, wrinkling her nose as the dog licked her face. She let out a little squeal of delight.
“My grandfather has already agreed to do it. And Rudy’s housebroken so it shouldn’t be a hardship.”
“So, does this mean you’re sticking around Owl Creek?” she asked, a hopeful expression etched on her face.
Braden paused a moment before answering. He’d faced the fact that running wasn’t the answer. He had already done it once, and it hadn’t helped him or anyone else. If he truly wanted to move forward, he needed to stick around town and face the music.
He felt a smile tugging at his lips. “Yes, I’m staying. I came to the conclusion that I need to be here in Owl Creek,” he admitted. “Traveling all over the world is overrated, plus I think my remaining in town would be the best Christmas present for my family. It’s been a long time since we’ve all been together like this.”
“It will be a great present for me, as well,” Piper told him. Braden wasn’t prepared for Piper to wrap him in a hug and press her head against his chest. It was wonderful to have her in his arms, especially when half the time they seemed to be at odds. Holding her made him feel as if he could protect her from anything in the world that might cause her pain, even the secret he was keeping.
“Look! Northern lights!” Braden called out as the sky exploded in a stunning, shimmery display of beauty. It was such a spectacular sight one never got tired of. A burst of brilliant colors lit up the night sky. Reds. Greens. Vibrant purples and blues. He heard Piper’s sharp exclamation of surprise. Her face was upturned, and for the life of him he couldn’t figure out whether to look at her or the northern lights. If he had to choose, he’d pick Piper each and every time.
“What a magnificent surprise.” Piper’s eyes were wide with wonder. For a moment he was reminded of the little girl she’d once been. Piper had always been full of enthusiasm and a positive outlook. He felt thankful that her spirit of optimism hadn’t been stamped out by the death of her father and her ongoing troubles with the diner. She’d walked a tough road over the past few years, and she still continued to shine. She didn’t hesitate to embrace joy.
“One of Alaska’s many marvels,” Braden said. “Of all the places I’ve been, nothing compares to the last frontier. Nowhere even comes close.” He’d traveled the world, and his heart still belonged to Alaska. Nothing could compare to the harsh, rugged land of his birth and Alaskan way of life. It served as a huge incentive to stay put.
“This has been a spectacular night. Between the carolers and the northern lights, I feel so incredibly blessed.”
“I always have fun when I’m with you, Piper. We could be washing dishes in the kitchen or skipping stones across the lake for all I care. It’s being with you that makes it special. I want you to know that.”
“Thank you for saying so. I’ve missed us. You have no idea how many nights I laid awake wondering where you were in the world and what you were up to. I imagined you were doing incredible things and that you’d forgotten all about Owl Creek.”
“I could never forget this town or you. Not a day went by when I didn’t think about what I’d left behind. Some days I was so homesick I wanted to come right back.”
“Then why didn’t you? There was a tremendous void in Owl Creek when you left.” Hurt radiated from her eyes. He hated being the one who’d made her feel this way.
Maybe he could tell her the truth right here and now. Perhaps then she would understand why he’d stayed away from Alaska for such a long time. Maybe she wouldn’t hate him as he’d always feared. Was it possible she might show him a measure of compassion?
“Because I had some growing to do,” he answered. “And I couldn’t do it here. Sometimes you have to leave a place to become the person you want to be.”
“And did you?” she asked pointedly.
He shook his head. “Not even close,” he admitted. It was hard to become a better man when he was keeping secrets and living in fear of being found out. But he couldn’t explain any of that to Piper, even though he really wanted to.
“You’re being hard on yourself, Braden. I think yo
u’re a pretty amazing human being.” She was gazing up at him, and for the first time in a long time, the expression emanating from her eyes was one of absolute confidence in him. He wasn’t sure he deserved it, but it made him feel good knowing she still believed in him. Especially when most days he had a hard time having faith in himself.
Being here with Piper with snow falling all around them and his gorgeous new dog lying at his feet made Braden feel as if all was right in his world. Just for a little bit he could pretend he wasn’t standing on a crumbling foundation. He wanted to relish this moment because he knew it was temporary.
Braden knew it wasn’t smart to consider kissing Piper again, but he was tired of being ruled by his head instead of his heart. Sometimes a person just had to step out on a limb of faith and act without overthinking it. Moments like this didn’t come around very often. He pulled Piper close, then leaned down and pressed his lips against hers in a tender, romantic kiss that was just as spectacular as the first one. Piper’s scent filled his nostrils—a light, floral aroma. Her lips tasted like hot cocoa and cinnamon.
When the kiss ended, neither one said a word. They both seemed to be enjoying the quiet that enveloped them. Their relationship had always been full of companionable silences where neither one felt the need to fill it up with mindless chatter. His fingers trailed through her curls as they settled into the silence. It had been a fantastic kiss, Braden realized. One for the record books, if he was being honest. Tender and full of emotion. It had been the furthest thing from run-of-the-mill. That knowledge hit him in the face like a sledgehammer.
“You kissed me. Again,” she said, raising her hand to touch her lips.
“I did, didn’t I?” Braden said, smiling down at her. He didn’t feel regretful or as if he was going to hang his head in shame over the kiss. It had been sheer perfection. He couldn’t even pretend he hadn’t thoroughly enjoyed it.
Piper was gazing up at him with doubt pooling in her eyes. “Last time you said our kiss was a mistake. You’ve never been the type of person to repeat your missteps.”
Braden reached out to brush her wayward curls away from her forehead. He wanted to make sure he could see her eyes at this special moment. He wanted to savor it because he knew it wouldn’t last once she found out his secret. Maybe it was selfish of him, but he’d kissed her knowing a huge chasm sat between them that could never be bridged.
“It wasn’t even close to being a mistake, Piper. In fact, it might just have been the smartest thing I’ve ever done.”
