“It reminds me of all the Christmases when Daddy would take us to pick out the tree. Once we’d selected the perfect one, he’d tie it to the top of the truck and then bring it back here so we could decorate it.” She let out a sob. “I can’t tell you how much I miss him. I’d give anything to have him right here with us.”
Braden resembled a deer in the headlights. His eyes went wide, and he looked at her without saying a word. He seemed to be completely overwhelmed by her emotion.
Perhaps he too was still trying to wrap his head around the events of that day on the mountain.
“I know I’ve said it before,” she continued, “but my family is mighty grateful for everything you did to try and rescue my dad after the accident. The paramedics said your efforts were nothing short of heroic.”
“I—I wish I could have done more. I’m no hero, Piper. Not by a long shot.” He spit out the words as if rejecting the notion that he could ever be anybody’s champion. “It’s getting late. I really should get going. I’ll be in touch.” His expression was unreadable. He stuffed his arms through the sleeves of his winter parka and jammed his knit hat on his h
ead before making his way outside.
In the blink of an eye, he was gone. The lovely rapport between them had been shattered without warning. One moment he’d been warm and engaged, then he’d shut down on her and run away as if his feet were on fire. His behavior was startling. Every instinct told her that Braden was keeping secrets from her. She should know. He’d been her partner in crime since they were in diapers.
And it terrified her because at this moment he was the only person in her life she was truly counting on to help her out of the terrible mess she found herself in.
Chapter Four
Braden woke up the following morning feeling none of the relief he’d expected to experience for having agreed to help Piper with the Snowy Owl. There was still a weight sitting on his chest. He couldn’t help but wonder if it would remain with him for the rest of his life.
Hero! Hearing the word tumble off Piper’s lips last night had caused a churning sensation in the pit of his stomach. He’d practically bolted out of the Snowy Owl rather than look Piper in the eye and accept her praise. If one more person referenced him by using the H word, Braden thought he might lose it. He couldn’t be any less of a hero if he tried. He wasn’t brave or true.
That was the problem with returning to Owl Creek. Everyone thought they knew him, but in reality they didn’t have a clue. He wasn’t like his older brother, Connor, who did everything right in every situation. Perhaps he should just tell the truth and spare himself the guilt. Who was he kidding? He’d spent the last three and a half years running away from his inability to face his best friend and confess everything to her. Even though their relationship was strained at the moment, Piper was still his friend. A little pressure had been lifted from his shoulders the moment he’d agreed to help her turn the business around.
Jack Miller had been a beloved man in town. Braden couldn’t remember ever hearing a single person say a bad word about him. Piper had always enjoyed a wonderful relationship with her dad. In Braden’s opinion she’d put her father up on a pedestal where nothing could touch him. Even now, Piper seemed to gloss over the fact that the diner had been experiencing financial problems during her father’s tenure as the owner. She was blaming herself for not being able to turn things around, when in reality she’d inherited a struggling business.
Braden helped himself to a glass of orange juice and a gigantic blueberry muffin from a large basket on the kitchen counter. The large house was quiet. He felt an immediate sense of guilt at being the only one still at home when everyone else was at the chocolate factory. Even his grandfather had ventured out of the house despite his tendency toward being a bit of a recluse. Braden looked around him, scanning the gleaming hardwood floors, the porcelain backsplash behind the counter and the copper pans hanging by the stove.
He knew he’d been raised as a child of privilege since his family were the owners of a very profitable and well-known chocolate business. Growing up in a quaint, small town in Alaska had been wonderful. But he’d always been aware of the huge gaping hole in his family. Sage’s abduction had left unresolved trauma and indelible scars. Although he’d always felt loved, he had been acutely aware of his parents’ despair. Throughout his childhood, they’d kept his missing baby sister’s nursery intact, like a shrine to her memory. The mere mention of her name, Lily, had always reduced his mother to tears. Over time Braden had learned not to speak her name and to stuff down his heartfelt feelings about his sister. It had taken a toll on him, a fact he’d buried for many years.
Sage’s return had done so much good for his family. Being reunited with his sister after twenty-five years had been a life-affirming event.
Braden let out a groan after checking the time on the kitchen wall clock. He was supposed to be at North Star Chocolate’s offices in fifteen minutes to meet with his older brother, Connor, about assuming a position in the company. Not wanting to be late, Braden quickly grabbed his wallet and keys before making his way to his truck.
Driving into the heart of downtown Owl Creek was a visual treat for the eyes. He grinned at the sight of his hometown all decked out in the holiday trimmings. It almost made him feel hopeful.
Once he reached the factory, he exited his vehicle and entered the large brick building. The heady aroma of chocolate filled his nostrils as soon as he stepped foot inside. It was a scent that smelled like home to Braden, bringing back warm and cozy memories of childhood. The smell was as familiar to him as his own name. As soon as he could walk, Braden had been a frequent visitor to the chocolate factory. It had been a little bit like a Willy Wonka experience. He and Connor had been extremely fortunate as children to have every confection imaginable at their disposal. Braden grinned at the memory of him and his older brother sneaking into an off-limits area and taste testing a limited-edition batch of marshmallow chocolates. By the time Beulah discovered them, both had been sick to their stomachs from overindulging. It had been a long time till either one of them ate another piece of chocolate.
Braden began walking toward the executive offices. He paused along the way to greet employees who enthusiastically called out to him and gave him hugs and warm greetings. By the time he reached his brother’s office, Braden felt buoyed by the goodwill of the staff. Somehow he’d forgotten how generous the residents of Owl Creek could be. Braden had known most of them his entire life and during the period of his self-imposed exile, he’d missed them all a great deal.
He rapped hard on Connor’s office door, then pushed his way inside, grinning at the quirky items his brother had used to decorate his work space. A five-foot bubblegum machine was in the corner while a cutout figure of Superman rested behind his desk. Signs of the impending holiday were everywhere—a miniature Christmas tree sat on his desk with the lights twinkling and shimmering; a green-and-red wreath with a big white bow hung on the wall.
Connor’s eyes lit up when Braden entered his office. He stood up from his chair and greeted him with a warm clap on the shoulder. “Hey, Braden. It’s good to see you here. Thanks for coming by.”
Connor, dressed in a crisp pair of khakis and a dark shirt, radiated confidence and an air of laid-back professionalism. With his dark hair and blue eyes, he’d always impressed the ladies in town. A confirmed bachelor, Connor wasn’t likely to settle down anytime soon, although his two best friends, Gabriel Lawson and Hank Crawford, had both recently gotten married to the respective loves of their lives. Braden wondered if it would change the dynamic between the Three Amigos since his brother was now the only single one of the trio. Frankly, Braden couldn’t imagine Connor falling in love and devoting himself to home and hearth.
“It feels good to be here. It’s been a while since I’ve walked through these doors.” A feeling of pride swelled up inside him. What his family had built with their chocolate company was incredible. They had created a great deal of jobs right here in town, along with giving the local economy a big boost.
“We’ve missed you.” Braden heard the raw emotion crackling in his brother’s voice. Although Connor was a jokester, there were moments like this where his heart shone like the sun. Braden had always looked up to his suave older brother, and he always would.
“Ditto,” he said, his throat feeling clogged with sentiment. He wasn’t certain he could put into words how deeply he’d ached to be reunited with his family. He’d missed seeing them on a daily basis and the closeness they all shared. No matter the distance, his family had always been at the center of his heart, right along with Piper. Being away from them had been a self-imposed punishment. He hadn’t felt worthy of being hailed as a hero.
“So, are you ready to sit in the corner office and join us as an executive?” Connor asked.
“What were you thinking?” Braden asked as a kernel of discomfort lodged in his chest. He had avoided this discussion for so long, and he needed to know what was expected of him. Although he deeply respected the family business, he still couldn’t see himself sitting behind a desk all day like his brother. But how could he tell his family that he wouldn’t be content doing the very thing they all enjoyed?
“Well, we’d love for you to start as soon as possible. Everyone’s excited about having you on board as a member of the executive team.” Connor’s smile stretched from ear to ear. He resembled a kid on Christmas morning.
Braden nodded. If he started working right away at North Star Chocolates, how would he find time to help Piper? He’d given her his promise after all, and he didn’t intend to let her down. He had been disappointing her for way too long. If he didn’t follow through, it would put even further strain on their friendship. “Would you mind if I started after Christmas? I promised Piper I would help her out with the diner, and I don’t want to leave her in the lurch.”
