“I’ll help you, Piper. I can’t bake pies, but I can whip up some shakes that are out of this world. That can be my job. I can also get Connor to promote them at North Star Chocolates and to all the tourists. Trudy can help spread the word at the inn. I know it might seem like a lot, but I think it could really increase sales.”
Piper took a deep breath. Things were changing so fast. A part of her felt as if she was being disloyal to her father while another part of her knew her options were limited. In order to save the diner from potential closure, she needed to embrace new things. She needed courage. And even though things weren’t back to normal between them, she knew Braden was the right person to be helping her out. He had a wealth of great ideas to help stimulate growth at the Snowy Owl. He was the bravest person she’d ever known—volcano trekking at night in Indonesia, bungee jumping in Australia, skydiving in Africa, along with a host of other adventures. Her best friend wasn’t afraid of anything. She wanted to be a little bit more like him.
“I’ll have to find someone to help me out with the pies, but if it pays off financially, it will be well worth it.” She made a mental note to reach out to a few people here in town who knew how to bake. Perhaps her close friend Rachel might know of some folks. As a nurse, Rachel met with patients in the local community all the time.
“I can put out some feelers, as well,” Braden added. “By the way, that tree over there is looking very bare. When do you plan to trim it? This place needs some Christmas bling.”
“I want to do something festive with the customers. Perhaps they can help trim the tree or put up some lights. I’m still figuring it out.” She let out a sigh. “I guess I’m stalling. Trimming the tree is something my dad loved doing. I can’t help but think of him and lament the fact that he’s not here with us.”
Braden’s expression turned somber. “You lost someone hugely important in your life. It’s understandable.”
Piper nodded. “That’s one of the reasons I was so angry with you for leaving town for so long. It felt like a double whammy losing my father and then you.” The words practically leaped out of her mouth. For so long now it had been festering inside her, this feeling of being abandoned by Braden. If they were going to move forward with their friendship, it was important to be honest with him. It was scary though. He’d already hurt her once before by leaving her behind. She wasn’t sure she was ready to be wounded if Braden walked out of her life again.
Braden looked away from her and began tapping his fingers on the table. It was a nervous gesture he’d been doing for most of his life. A major tell that he was jittery about something. When he opened his mouth to speak, a chill swept through her. She had a very strong feeling that Braden had something important to say. The last time she’d had this hunch he had been announcing his departure from Owl Creek.
“Piper, there’s something you need to know,” he said in a halting voice. “Honestly, I should have told you this a long time ago, but I—”
A loud rapping sound echoed at the door. It startled both of them and cut Braden off midsentence, leaving Piper to wonder what he had been about to tell her.
Chapter Five
Braden didn’t know whether to feel annoyed or relieved when the loud knock sounded at the diner’s door. He’d finally summoned the courage to tell Piper the unvarnished truth about t
he events leading up to Jack’s fatal accident when they’d been disturbed. In the blink of an eye, the moment of truth had slipped through his fingers. It annoyed him to no end.
With a sigh, Piper stood up and walked over to the door, peeking through the curtain before wrenching it open. “Mama,” he heard her say before Trudy Miller came bustling through the doorway. With her long red hair and colorful hat, she was an attractive, vibrant woman who exuded an air of goodness. Trudy was an eclectic personality in their small Alaskan town. She was a straight shooter who told it like she saw it and treated everyone as if they were an old friend. He watched as Piper enveloped her mother in a tight embrace that showcased their close relationship. Although the two women looked nothing alike, anyone could tell they were related due to their similar mannerisms and the loving way they interacted with each other.
Seeing Piper’s mother felt like a kick in the gut. Every time he was in her presence it served as a strong reminder of everything that the Millers had lost. It was hard to look Trudy in the eye and accept all of her kindness and sincerity. Ever since he was a little kid, she’d treated him with such generosity. As Piper’s closest friend, there had always been a place for him at the Miller’s dinner table.
“Braden! It’s great to see you,” Trudy said.
“Nice to see you too, Trudy.” Braden stood up and greeted Piper’s mother with a peck on the cheek. As the owner of one of Owl Creek’s most popular inns, she was a beloved figure in town. He hated the awkwardness he felt in her presence, and he wished things could go back to the way they used to be. In losing Jack, she’d lost the love of her life. It was all he could do not to profusely apologize to her for upsetting her husband prior to the crash that ended his life. If only he had the courage to break free from his fear of losing Piper’s friendship and disappointing an entire town who believed in him.
“How are things?” Braden asked, trying to ease his discomfort. He was struggling with immense feelings of guilt that threatened to swallow him up whole.
“Pretty good,” Trudy answered. “Things have picked up a little bit at the inn with the holidays coming. It seems that everyone wants to visit Owl Creek because of North Star Chocolates and Sage’s return to town.”
Braden let out a groan. “I wish the media would give it a break. Sage is still trying to settle into her new life with Hank and Addie. She doesn’t need to be hounded.”
“At least it’s dying down a little,” Piper added. “Right after the story broke about Sage being the long-lost Lily North, it was sheer pandemonium. Paparazzi were jumping out from behind bushes and taking random photos.”
Just the thought of the invasion of his family’s privacy made him angry. Where was the compassion for a young woman whose entire life had been turned upside down? His family had been through so much heartache over the years. Why would anyone want to subject them to more scrutiny?
Trudy wagged a finger at him. “On another note, why haven’t you come over to the inn to visit me? I’ve barely seen you at all since you’ve been back.”
“I’m sorry,” Braden said. “It’s been a bit hectic since I’ve come home. I wanted to spend some time getting to know my sister and really bond with her. Then there was her wedding to Hank and a bunch of other things that cropped up.”
Trudy shook her head. “I still can’t believe that Sage came back to Alaska after all the years of loss and separation. God is good! He wouldn’t allow secrets to fester in the darkness.”
Braden stiffened at the mention of secrets. He hated thinking that the one he was keeping was as bad as all of the lies Sage’s adoptive mother had told her over the years. Those lies had hurt his family and deprived them of Sage for twenty-five years.
“Piper! That tree is amazing!” Trudy said as her gaze veered toward the Christmas tree. “It’s just begging to be decked out with ornaments though.”
Piper beamed. “It’s gorgeous, isn’t it? We can thank Braden for it. He brought it in the other night. Now all we have to do is decorate it.”
Trudy clapped her hands. “Let’s have a tree trimming party. It will be so much fun. I’ll be more than happy to help you out with the details. They don’t call me Mrs. Christmas for nothing,” she said with a chuckle.
“I was thinking of having a party,” Piper conceded, “but I want it to be in appreciation of all of the diner’s loyal customers and to welcome any new ones.”
