The smile that crept over Piper’s face threatened to take over her entire face. “That’s really nice to hear, especially after what you said last time. I have to admit it left me feeling pretty confused.”
He shook his head. “I—I wasn’t trying to hurt you. Matter of fact, I was trying not to further complicate things between us since I thought I was going to leave after Christmas.”
“Now that you’re not leaving, have you told your family you don’t want to work at the family business? If not, you really should,” she said, her brows knit together. “The sooner you tell them the better.”
He ran a hand over his face. “I’ve been dragging my feet about doing it, but you’re right. I’m supposed to be starting after the holidays are over.”
She squeezed his arm. “They’ll understand, Braden. As long as you speak from the heart and tell them exactly how you feel, your family will accept it. They love you.”
He let out a low chuckle. “When did you become such a fount of wisdom?” he asked.
Piper scoffed. “Trust me, I don’t have all the answers. If I did, I would have patched up all the problems with the diner a long time ago.” Her smile hit him squarely in his solar plexus. Had she always been this stunning? These days it seemed as if he was seeing her through a completely different lens. And he liked what he was seeing!
“You’re beautiful, Piper. You always have been, but ever since I came back it’s hard for me to remember you used to be a knock-kneed tomboy.”
Piper let out a sound of outrage. “Knock-kneed? Those are fighting words, Braden North. I wasn’t any such thing and you know it.”
Braden threw his head back in laughter. He’d said the word on purpose, knowing it would get a heated response from her.
“Take it back!” she demanded, playfully shoving against his chest.
“Okay, I will. I was just teasing,” he admitted, holding up his hands in surrender. “You weren’t even close to being knock-kneed. Matter of fact, you were always the prettiest girl in Owl Creek, bar none.”
She shook her head. He wasn’t sure if it was his comment or the cold air, but her cheeks were flushed and rosy. “I don’t know about that, but you’re really sweet for saying it.”
He brushed his knuckles against her cheek. “It’s getting late. You need your rest, and I’ve got to take Rudy home.”
“Good night, Braden.” She bent down and ruffled Rudy’s fur. “Night, Rudy.”
Braden stood by her truck as she got in and started the engine. He stood by for a few minutes until Piper warmed it up a little then drove off into the night.
“Ready to go home, boy?” he asked Rudy as he opened the passenger door of his truck and prompted the dog to jump in. Braden got behind the wheel and let out a throaty chuckle as he turned to look at Rudy. He was making himself comfortable in the seat. As he drove home, Braden let out a sigh. As Piper had stated earlier, it had been a fantastic day full of unexpected surprises. Now that he had decided to stay in Owl Creek, Braden knew he had to figure out a plan for his future. His secret was still sitting between him and Piper. He had to work out how to tell her and deal with the consequences if she decided not to forgive him. And if North Star Chocolates wasn’t going to be his vocation, it was important to find something else that would pay the bills. He wanted to show his family that he wasn’t simply slacking by declining their job offer.
Now, he just had to decide how to make a living while still pursuing his love of adventure, the great outdoors and sports. He’d been doing a lot of brainstorming. It might not be easy to pull it off, but he was determined to make it happen. His family had made Owl Creek a tourist attraction due to their chocolate factory. Could he capitalize on the tourism aspect and create something of his very own? Piper had inspired him to hold fast to his dreams.
If she could turn things around at the Snowy Owl, then Braden could also reach out for what he wanted most. One way or another, he was determined to live out his dreams right here in Owl Creek.
Chapter Eleven
Braden stood by the large Christmas tree in the great room of the family home, admiring the festive decorations his mother had put up with so much love and care. He smiled at the sight of all the red-and-white stockings hanging from the stone mantelpiece. There really was no place like home. The large bay window provided a bird’s-eye view of his family’s property. Snow covered the ground, courtesy of a fast-moving storm that had blanketed Owl Creek last evening. He let out a deep sigh and gazed at the snowcapped mountains in the distance. Nothing made him feel more at peace than the sight of the Alaskan vista.
Even from this distance he could sometimes see owls soaring over the woods at dawn. A pine tree fully decorated in ornaments, mini lights and tinsel sat near the driveway. At night its multicolored lights shimmered and winked from outside, providing a festive air to the North family home. Despite his knee-jerk decision to leave town after Jack’s death, he knew with a deep certainty there was no finer place than this town he loved so dearly.
He needed to be courageous in all things. Above all else, he needed to come clean with Piper and tell her the truth. Only then would he be able to move toward the life he so wanted to live here in Owl Creek. Braden knew without a doubt that he’d put off his talk with Connor long enough. Since he wasn’t expected at the diner until later on this morning, he figured there was no time like the present. His brother was in the kitchen rumbling around making himself some breakfast. If he caught him before he left for the office, they could have some quality time to talk things over.
Give me courage, he prayed. Although he and Connor were both adults, he still felt as if his older brother was wiser and more measured than he could ever hope to be. Braden admired and respected him more than he could ever express in words.
When he walked into the kitchen, Connor was sitting down at the table eating a big bowl of oatmeal mixed with berries. A tall glass of orange juice sat beside his plate.
“Morning,” Connor said with a nod. “Surprised to see you here. You’ve been going to the diner pretty early every morning. Our paths hardly ever cross.”
“Good morning. I’m heading in a little bit later.” He cuffed the back of his neck. “Can we talk? There’s something I need to tell you.”
“Sure thing. What’s going on?” he asked, placing his spoon down and motioning for Braden to join him at the table.
Braden sat down across from his brother. He fiddled nervously with his fingers. “I’m not coming to work at North Star Chocolates.”
“You’re what?” Connor asked, leaning forward in his seat. “I don’t think that I heard you right.”
