In the week leading up to the festival, Joe had never been so happy in his life. Every morning when he woke up, he wondered if it was all some sort of dream. Then he’d show up at the town square, where Piper would meet him with a smile and a quick kiss. That definitely wasn’t a dream—it was better.
With nothing left to do at the coffeehouse until a couple of rush orders arrived, he’d decided to volunteer to build the game booths and benches. The physical effort in hauling wood, cutting it, and nailing it together helped alleviate some of his anxiety over the launch of his business. Everything was going to be fine. He reasoned that if he told himself that often enough, he’d begin to believe it.
Joe was hammering a two-by-four for a game booth when he heard his name being called. He glanced up to find his friend Holden headed in his direction.
“Hey, man, I see they’ve put you to work.” Holden slapped a hand on the wood frame as though to test its sturdiness. “Wish I could help, but until I can get a couple more ranch hands, I’m swamped.”
“So then what brings you to town? Surely you couldn’t be so lonely you came to watch me swing a hammer.”
“Do you really think I’d actually miss that ugly mug of yours?” Holden laughed. “Not a chance. I needed some supplies.”
“And you need something else or you wouldn’t be talking to me. Do I even need to ask if you’re in search of some free labor?” Joe grabbed another nail and hammered it into the board.
Holden lifted his Stetson and rubbed a hand over his forehead. “The thing is, I really need help getting the herd moved to higher ground. But never mind, you’re busy here.”
The truth was, they already had enough volunteers to complete everything in time for the fundraiser. Mrs. Sanchez had made certain of it. He’d volunteered just to keep himself busy and away from the temptation of talking to Piper all morning when she had work to do. He’d already monopolized enough of her time both night and day—perhaps too much so.
He needed some time away to clear his head. Whether he’d planned it or not, this thing with Piper was getting serious. It wasn’t fair to her to lead her on if his feelings weren’t real.
He glanced over to where she was helping a customer carry their order to their car. Piper had on those slim-fitting jeans that nestled against her hips, right where his hands went when he was pulling her close for a kiss.
As though she sensed he was staring at her, she turned her head. When their gazes met, his heart thumped. He wanted nothing more than to go to her, but he resisted.
That was a fine example of his dilemma. Was it purely a physical attraction? Or was it something much deeper?
He had to get this figured out.
“I don’t have anything here to hold me back.” Joe returned his hammer to his toolbox.
“Are you sure about that?”
Joe glanced up. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I see the baker lady over there. She keeps glancing your way.”
Without thinking, Joe looked over his shoulder. The tiny red T-shirt that emphasized her chest made her stand out like a bright flag, reminding him of what he was missing. Her laughter. Her teasing. Everything about her.
“She’s not looking my way.”
“Uh-huh.” Holden cleared his throat as though to smother a chuckle. “You sure she won’t miss you? Or is it the other way around?”
“It’s neither,” he said quickly, maybe a little too quickly, as Holden eyed him doubtfully. “It’s not like we’re a couple or anything. We’re friends.” But that didn’t sound right even to his own ears.
“Sure sounds like that little lady over yonder has her claws in you.”
Joe stood up to his full height, which thankfully was just a bit taller than Holden. His fists settled at his waist as he glared at his friend. “If you want help today, you best lay off. There’s nothing between me and Piper, at least nothing to concern you. So let the subject drop.”
Holden held up his hands. “Hey, I don’t know a thing about women. It just seemed like...”
Joe scowled at him, not wanting him to finish that statement, because between sweet-as-pie kisses, morning runs, and nights holding her in his arms, they’d bonded. He’d let down his guard and trusted her more than any other person. He’d thought that maybe, just maybe, they might have something. But how did he know if all of this was real?
His head started to pound. “Let’s go before I change my mind.”
With nothing requiring his attention here in Whistle Stop, he didn’t have an excuse to turn away Holden’s request for help. After all, some distance would help him get his head screwed on straight where Piper was concerned.
He hoped.
Joe wanted to go to the Poppin’ Fresh and give Piper a proper good-bye. But with Holden already giving him a hard time about her, Joe settled for a text message as he grabbed some clothes to take with him.
Holden needs help at the ranch. Will be gone a few days. If anything comes up, call me.
♥♥♥
The day was done.
Piper flipped over the closed sign on the door and turned the lock. On her way back to the kitchen, she switched off the overhead lights, leaving only the glow of the lights in the display case.
With the bakery closed for the evening, Piper took solace in the silence of the store. Though she loved the residents of Whistle Stop, sometimes she enjoyed the utter silence of being alone. She’d never admit it to anyone, but sometimes she grew tired of smiling—today was one of those days.
She walked over to the desk off to the side of the kitchen and picked up a stack of new orders coming in from neighboring towns. The wedding cake for Laney and David had been the catalyst to this new rush of business. Her dream was coming true.
She thumbed through the pages, finding a number of wedding cake orders. A smile tugged at her lips. Luckily, the couples had ordered months in advance. Later, she’d go through and make sure she had enough time to accommodate them all. But for now, she released the orders, letting them flutter down onto the desktop.
Her problem was, she missed Joe.
Since when did she get so used to spending all of her free time with him? She couldn’t let herself get reliant on him. It wasn’t like there was a commitment between them. He still had his own life. And she had hers. Plain and simple.
Then why was she bored and restless?
After pacing back and forth, she decided to go for a walk around town. Hopefully, the fresh air and exercise would burn off her frustrations. Otherwise, this could end up being a very long night.
After locking up, she set off at a brisk pace. This evening’s outing had nothing to do with exercise or diet. The more she thought about Joe, the more she realized just how crazy she was about him.
She lapped the town faster than she wanted. The walking just wasn’t cutting it. As she walked around the town square back to Poppin’ Fresh, she passed in front of the coffee shop. Even though it was dusk, no lights were on inside.
With Joe being out at the ranch with his buddy Holden, she couldn’t resist pressing her nose to the coffeehouse’s window and peering through the crack between the large sheets of white paper. Why in the world did he insist on keeping the big reveal a secret from everyone—including her?
It was too dark for her to make out anything. Drat. Then she recalled his sketches with the stark, empty storefront. Surely Joe didn’t think the coffee alone would draw in the people. This was a small town. People liked to congregate, catch up on the latest gossip, and discuss the upcoming football game. Where exactly were they going to do that according to his sketch?
“Busted.”
The voice made Piper jump and her heart lodge in her throat. With a hand pressed to her pounding chest, she turned. Her brother stood there, grinning as though he’d caught her sneaking the last store-bought cookie from the jar their mother kept above the sink. “Mason, do you have to sneak up on people?”
“I wasn’t sneaking, I was walking. You’re the one who appears to be up to no good.”
“I am not.” Heat rushed to her cheeks. Why did her brother still have a way of needling her?
He arched a brow. “Do you always go around town pressing your nose to windows?”
“I was not. I was...I was, oh, never mind.” She wasn’t even going to attempt to explain her complicated relationship with Joe. It was time to turn the tables on Mason. “So, I haven’t seen you much lately.”
“I’ve been out of town looking into, um...setting up a satellite office.”
Her brother was a CPA with a growing list of clients, but she had no idea he’d gotten this successful. “Things are going that well for you?”
“It’s been a lot of work, but it’s starting to pay off.”
“Do you really think now’s the time to pursue political aspirations?”
Mason glanced away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t act so innocent. Did you honestly expect Mom to keep your secret?” Their mother couldn’t keep a secret if her life depended on it. And knowing this, why her brother would ever confide in her was beyond Piper’s imagination.
His brows drew together. “But I didn’t tell her anything. Certainly not anything I wouldn’t mind the rest of the town knowing. What have you heard?”
“That you’re running for mayor in the spring.” His mouth gaped before he pressed his lips together, giving Piper a chance to continue. “I take it you didn’t tell her that.”
He shook his head. “Are you kidding? I haven’t even told Bella yet—”
“You didn’t? Are you serious? You really need to talk this over with your fiancée.”
He shrugged. “I...I haven’t gotten to it yet.”
Piper crossed her arms and eyed up her big brother, who in turn was busy studying the sidewalk with great interest. “Don’t you think you’re taking on too much, between your expanding business and your upcoming wedding? I don’t know how Bella deals with your workaholic tendencies.”
He kicked at a pebble. “She doesn’t like it.”
She couldn’t blame Bella. Piper knew how focused her brother could be. He was a lot like their father, taking on more than he could handle. “Don’t do this.”
His gaze met hers. “Do what?”
“Get caught up in an election.”
“You don’t understand. The town needs me. It’s on the verge of a rebirth.”
Frustration bubbled in her veins. “And you’re the only person who has what it takes to turn Whistle Stop around?”
“Yes.”
“No, you aren’t.” She shook her head. “Wait. Since when are you interested in politics?”
“I...I always have been—”
“No, you haven’t. Remember who you’re talking to. I’m your sister. I know you better than most people. You’ve never once taken a big interest in elections.”
“Okay. Fine. But this has to stay between you and me.” When she nodded, he sighed. “I need to put Whistle Stop back on the map. My business is dying.”
That was news to her. “I thought you had all of these new accounts from surrounding areas. I thought that’s what all of the traveling was about.”
Mason rubbed the back of his neck. “That’s what I want people to think. I don’t want anyone to know about the bind I’m in. Nothing chases away clients like news of a sinking ship.”
“Oh, Mason. I’m sorry.” Piper reached out to hug him, but he backed away.
“I didn’t tell you this to gain your sympathy. I need your help to keep Mom from spreading the news about my candidacy until I make my official announcement. You know how this town can be...stuck in its ways.”
“That’s true. But they’re trying to change things.”
“I can’t wait around for Mayor Ortiz to get his act together, if he ever does.”
She wasn’t particularly fond of the mayor. He’d almost been her father-in-law, but he’d had absolutely nothing to do with her failed engagement. And if she were honest with herself, the reason her relationship had crumbled was that she and David had never truly belonged together. He was the man her mother wanted her to be with, not who Piper wanted to be with.
She had a feeling her brother was about to make his own grave mistake. Maybe it wasn’t too late to reason with him. “The mayor, he’s doing his best. Just give him and the town council some time.”
“I can’t. It’s taking too long.”
“You can’t blame them for the wildfire on Roca Mountain.”
“I don’t. But someone has to do something to pick up the pace. Businesses are closing their doors, and residents are moving away.”
“Just stop and think this over. Are you sure your relationship with Bella can handle the strain of you running for mayor on top of everything else?”
“I don’t know.” He ran a hand over his clean-shaven jaw.
“Promise me you’ll think about it some more before you do something you’ll come to regret.”
Worry reflected in Mason’s eyes. “But I have to do something, or everything I’ve been working toward will be ruined.”
Her heart went out to him. “I’ll give it some thought and see if I can come up with anything.”
“Thanks. But the biggest help you can give me is keeping Mom under wraps.”
“I’ll try.”
“I’ve got to go.” He paused and glanced at her. “I know we got to talking about me, but when I came upon you, you looked like you had something serious on your mind. Anything you want to talk about?”
Piper shook her head. Her brother already had enough worries to contend with. “I just had an idea, and I was trying to decide on its merits.”
Mason’s gaze moved to the coffeehouse. “Wouldn’t have anything to do with your competition, would it?”
She shrugged. “He’s not really my competition.”
Her brother’s face lit up with interest. “Is there something I should know?”
“Seriously, don’t you have enough of your own issues without having to stick your nose into in my life?”
“It’s a big brother’s prerogative.”
She shook her head. “You’re forgetting that I’m all grown up now. I’ve got everything under control.”
“You keep telling yourself that. I’ve got to go.” Mason headed toward his office.
She turned back to the coffeehouse and frowned. She didn’t want Joe’s coffee shop to end up being one of those businesses that her brother had mentioned were closing their doors. She worried her bottom lip.
She couldn’t help but feel Joe was making a serious miscalculation. If he wanted a thriving business, he had to make his customers feel welcome. She didn’t want to see him fail before he even opened his doors. His life already hadn’t been easy. And she really wanted him to stay in Whistle Stop—permanently.
In that moment, she realized why his business being a smashing success was so important to her.
She loved Joe.
And it wasn’t like anything she’d ever felt before. He cared about her just as she was. He wasn’t always trying to change her, like David had. Joe didn’t criticize her. Instead, he pitched in and helped her.
Now it was her turn to help him.
The more she thought about staging the front of the coffee shop, the more excited she got. If Joe could see with his own eyes what she had in mind...if he could walk around and have a seat...if he could just experience the atmosphere, he’d see that her idea had merit.
Determining she was on to something, her mind filled with the ideas she’d tried telling Joe about previously, back when he’d shut her down. She brushed aside the sting of how he’d excluded her and her suggestions. Things between them had come a long way since then. Besides, if he didn’t like it, the plain, stark space could easily be restored.
She rushed up the back stairs of her building. She couldn’t wait to see the surprise on Joe’s face when he saw how comfy and welcoming she could make the place. And she knew just how to accomplish it.
In the attic, she had a collection of old furniture that was still in excellent condition. They were pieces she’d saved from the beauty salon that once occupied her bakery’s storefront. Maybe if she could give Joe an idea of what he could do with the space without spending much money, which she knew all too well was very important to him, he’d see her idea had merit.
Satisfied she had enough furniture to make this plan work, she rushed over to Joe’s place. The back door was locked. He’d obviously spent long enough in the city that he’d learned to lock the place up tight as a drum.
Frustration weighed heavy on her. How was she supposed to help him now? Just about to give up, she gave the building one final glance when she spotted a window on the first floor that was open a crack. She rushed over to give it a push, opening it farther. There wasn’t a lot of room, but it looked just big enough for her to shimmy through.
But first, she had to find something to climb on. She glanced all around the alleyway, but the garbage had just been picked up that morning. So, when all else fails, improvise. She ran inside the bakery and quickly spotted a step stool.
With the stool tucked securely under her arm, she rushed back to his place. She smiled. This was going to be the best surprise of all. Just wait until Joe saw the coffee shop. He’d regret turning down her help before.
He was supposed to return sometime that evening. She hoped it was sooner rather than later. The truth was, she missed their talks, the sound of his voice, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled.
She missed everything about him.
She wanted him to be a permanent part of her life, and this was the only way she could think of to show him just how much he meant to her. A shiver of excitement rippled through her stomach as she pictured the surprise on Joe’s face when he spotted her handiwork.