True to You in Good Hope: A Good Hope Novel Book 15

by Cindy Kirk

  Anders appreciated the invitation, but waiting to eat until the evening worked for him. He’d slept late, considered texting Piper to see what she was up to, but reminded himself she was only a friend, and this was a holiday.

  Over the years, Anders had grown used to keeping his own company. Sometimes he preferred it, but today he found himself wishing for Piper’s company. Pulling out his snowshoes, he’d taken off in his truck to do some exploring.

  By the time one thirty had rolled around, he was hungry, and a seven o’clock dinner seemed light years away. Wheeling his truck in the direction of the business district, he’d decided to stop by the café and pick up something to tide him over until the evening.

  Minutes later, he’d pushed open the door to Muddy Boots and stopped for a second to savor the sounds of laughter and the amazing smells.

  His stomach growled, reminding him he’d had only a bowl of cereal this morning. Glancing around for a place to sit, he spotted Piper bringing out a tray of desserts. He stood there for a moment, watching her arrange the desserts on a table topped with a plastic cloth covered in turkeys and pilgrims.

  Gladys stood close, pointing to a piece of cake.

  Other than serving Gladys, Piper didn’t appear overly busy. Perhaps he’d wander over. Maybe she could sit for a while and keep him company.

  He was nearly to her when a female voice behind him called out, “Piper.”

  Anders turned slightly as a young woman—slender and blond—rushed past him with an older woman close on her heels.

  Turning back toward Piper, Anders saw the shock on her face before a smile lifted her lips.

  The blonde appeared ready to round the dessert table and embrace Piper, but the older woman tugged her back.

  “Sasha,” the older version of the young woman chided. “You’re making a spectacle of yourself.”

  “Anders.” Ruby Rakes, Fin’s mother-in-law, touched his arm. “There’s an empty seat by us. We’d love for you to join us.”

  Anders liked Ruby and the cool-eyed Katherine, who sat on her other side, a polite smile lifting her lips.

  Resisting the urge to see what was happening with Piper and the two women, Anders gestured to the seat beside Ruby, one already sporting a glass of iced tea. “It appears this seat is taken.”

  “Gladys is sitting there,” Ruby confirmed. “But the one across from her is available.”

  “I’d love to join you.” Anders glanced around. “How exactly does this work?”

  “You go through the buffet line to get your food.” Helen, who was spending the holiday doing what she did best, gestured toward a long table set up at the back of the dining area. “You tell me whether you want coffee, tea or water, and I bring that to your seat. Once you’re ready for dessert, Piper can help you.”

  “Coffee sounds good,” Anders told Helen.

  She patted his arm. “Coming right up.”

  “Get your food,” Katherine instructed. “Then sit down and tell us everything that’s been going on between you and Piper.”

  Piper had been so focused on Anders’s unexpected appearance that she hadn’t even noticed her mother and sister until Sasha called out to her. Rounding the table, Piper quickly rallied. “This is a nice surprise.”

  Looking as if she’d dressed this morning for a ladies’ luncheon at the country club, Jenn Ambrose stopped and studied her eldest daughter.

  Her critical gaze lingered on Piper’s hair. Her gaze dropped past Piper’s sweater to her leggings and lace-up sneakers. “You look as if you’re ready to work in the garden.”

  “That’d be a little hard to do considering all the snow on the ground.” Piper kept her tone light.

  Before her mother could respond, Sasha moved forward and gave Piper a hug. “It’s so good to see you. So, so good.”

  “You, too.” Piper studied her sister and found her just as pretty as she’d been the last time she’d seen her. “How did you get here?”

  “Early-morning flight from Atlanta to Green Bay,” her sister said. “We rented a car at the airport and drove here.”

  Piper glanced in the direction of the door. “Is Dad with you?”

  She didn’t ask about Heath, simply prayed they’d left him back in Georgia.

  “Your father and Heath are golfing in Hilton Head in South Carolina through the weekend,” Jenn explained.

  “I’m surprised you didn’t let me know you were coming.” Piper didn’t know why she even said that. If she’d had plans, her mother would have simply expected her to change them.

  “I mentioned the possibility the last time we spoke.” Jenn glanced around the café like she was a health department inspector.

  “Last-minute decision,” Sasha added.

  “I decided this was the perfect opportunity for Sasha to come for a fitting.”

  “Fitting?” Piper turned to her sister and smiled. “You found a dress.”

  “We’ve given up on finding one in any of the salons.” Jenn fixed her gaze on Piper. “You’ll be making her dress. It can be your wedding gift to her.”

  Did her mother have any idea how much it cost simply to purchase the fabric and accoutrements? Even without knowing the type of gown Sasha had in mind, Piper knew an unadorned style would set her back between five hundred and a thousand dollars. If Sasha went for a more embellished design, it would be anywhere from twenty-five hundred to five thousand.

  “That’s something we can discuss later.” Piper would not, simply could not, let her mother guilt her into taking on more than she could handle.

  Piper couldn’t afford the material, much less time away from her seamstress business, the income of which was helping her pay rent.

  “We’ll also discuss later what you did to your hair.” Her mother lifted her hands, palms out, and closed her eyes for an instant. “And how you’re going to change it back before the wedding. What were you thinking, Piper?”

  Jenn made a tsking sound.

  Piper ignored it.

  “The food smells yummy.” Sasha also ignored the dark look from her mother. “Can anyone eat?”

  “Absolutely.” Piper kept her gaze focused on her sister. “Just go through the line, find a seat. Someone will bring your drinks to you. Desserts are on this table, one to a customer. There’s a jar on the counter for a donation, if you’d like to contribute.”

  “Sasha, I don’t think—” Jenn began.

  “Who do we have here?” Jeremy Rakes, former mayor, smiled warmly at the two women.

  “Jeremy Rakes, this is my mother, Jennifer Ambrose, and my sister, Sasha.” Piper started to say more, but her mother spoke before she had a chance.

  “You took over Rakes Farm once your parents moved out of Door County.” Jenn studied Jeremy. Likely, Piper knew, adding up the cost of everything from his leather shoes to the handcrafted sweater.

  “I did.” Jeremy’s smile never wavered. “They live in Florida now and are quite happy there. Though I know they wish they were closer to their grandson.”

  “You have a child.” Surprise skittered across Jenn’s face. “I didn’t even know you were married.”

  Jeremy cast Piper a teasing look. “You need to keep your mother up on the news in Good Hope.”

  Piper opened her mouth, but shut it when she realized no response was necessary.

  “I married Delphinium Bloom. Fin is right over there with our son, Eddie.” He shifted his gaze to his wife and gave a little wave. “We’re expecting our second in February.”

  “Jeremy is Good Hope’s mayor,” Jenn told Sasha.

  “Actually, I gave up that post to Greer Chapin last summer.” Jeremy kept his tone pleasant and conversational. “Will you ladies be in Good Hope long?”

  “Just over the weekend,” Sasha told him. “We fly back on Sunday.”

  “Well, I’m glad I got to see you.” Jeremy turned to Piper. “How about I take your place at the dessert table so you can eat with your family?”

  “You don’t have to do
that,” Piper protested, knowing Jeremy had his own family here.

  “Nonsense.” He shot her a wink. “It’ll be my excuse to speak with everyone who comes in and let them know how glad I am to see them here, supporting the Giving Tree.”

  “You didn’t tell me this event supports the Giving Tree.” Jenn shot Piper an accusatory look, then softened it with a smile when she sensed Jeremy’s scrutiny.

  “We’re headed into the Christmas season with less in the coffers than we’d like,” Jeremy explained. “Thanks to everyone who volunteered, this Thanksgiving dinner will allow us to not only give back to the community, but replenish those funds.”

  “I’m happy we can celebrate the holiday together.” Sasha looped her arm through Piper’s. “It makes the holiday even more special.”

  Piper wondered about Sasha’s jovial mood as they went through the buffet line. Had a trip out of town, perhaps away from the pressure of planning a wedding, been just what her younger sister needed?

  Her mother, placated slightly by having a personal conversation with one of Good Hope’s leading citizens, still appeared on edge.

  When she snapped at Sasha for taking both a dollop of sweet potatoes as well as whipped potatoes, Piper deliberately added both to her plate. As they looked around for a place to sit, Piper exchanged a look of solidarity with her sister.

  Perhaps this weekend wouldn’t be so bad after all.

  “There’s some seats right over there.” Sasha pointed, then started toward the table, tray of food in hand.

  Too late, Piper realized that table was the one where Anders sat, next to Katherine and opposite Gladys and Ruby.

  Seeing no way out, as Sasha was already unloading her tray, Piper tried to ignore the rapid beating of her heart as she approached the table.

  “Happy Thanksgiving,” Piper told the group, making every attempt not to let her gaze linger on Anders.

  The sweater he wore was a rich chestnut brown. His wiry hair, pulled up into a bun, looked messy and incredibly sexy.

  “Happy Thanksgiving to you as well.” Gladys studied Piper, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips, before turning back to her friends and Anders.

  After exchanging a quick smile with Anders, Piper took a seat across from her mother and sister. The food looked and smelled delicious.

  Yet, when her mother’s disapproving gaze settled on her, Piper’s stomach churned. It’d be a miracle if she could eat a bite.

  Chapter Fifteen

  While she picked at her food, Piper let her mother and Sasha do most of the talking. She heard about the wedding venue, the meals planned for the reception and the cake, or rather, cakes.

  According to Jenn, the guest list had grown exponentially because Sasha and Heath had so many friends. Not to mention all of Heath’s business associates.

  As it was nearly two, most of the people who’d come to eat had left. Piper kept her gaze firmly fixed on her mother.

  “You’ll need to bring in staff to cover your store through Saturday,” her mother began as soon as Helen refilled their drinks. “We can assess where we’re at Saturday night and see if more time is needed.”

  A knot formed in the pit of Piper’s stomach. “More time for what?”

  Sasha focused on sipping her tea.

  “On your sister choosing the style she wants and getting whatever measurements you’ll need so you can get to work.” Jenn pressed her lips together. “The wedding is less than six months away. The dress should have been chosen long before now.”

  Jenn turned to Sasha. “I don’t know why you’re having such a difficult time making a decision.”

  “I haven’t found one I like,” Sasha snapped. “I want it perfect. Heath wants it perfect.”

  “I don’t mean to interrupt.” Gladys, returning from getting her dessert, stopped at the table’s edge, “but I must say the family resemblance is amazing.”

  Jenn pursed her lips, clearly not pleased with the interruption.

  “Tell me I’m right. You two have to be sisters.”

  For a second, Piper thought Gladys was referring to her and Sasha, then she realized the older woman was speaking about Jenn and Sasha.

  Suddenly all smiles, Jenn tittered. “Oh my, no. This is my daughter Sasha.”

  “Your daughter?” Not only did Gladys’s voice rise, she brought a hand to her throat and widened those pale blue eyes.

  These were common theatrical gestures that Piper had seen Gladys use many times in her long tenure on the community theater stage.

  “Gladys, this is my mother, Jenn Ambrose, and my sister, Sasha.” Piper forced a semblance of a smile. “Mother, Sasha, this is Gladys Bertholf.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you both.” Gladys leaned over and placed a hand on Piper’s shoulder. “We’re very fond of our Piper.”

  Piper wasn’t sure what surprised her most. That Gladys refrained from commenting on how she didn’t look one bit like her mother and sister, or that she’d put her hand on her shoulder.

  “It’s been a long time, but I seem to recall your name from when we lived in Good Hope.” Jenn brought a finger to her lips, a thoughtful look on her face.

  Piper couldn’t believe her mother didn’t remember Gladys. Then she realized it shouldn’t have been such a surprise, as her mother had grown up in nearby Green Bay. Even after their family had moved to Good Hope, Jenn had always preferred to socialize with her friends in the city.

  Something told Piper that Gladys had recognized her mother and that the sister comment had been a ruse.

  Gladys inclined her head. “Will you be in town long?”

  “Through the weekend. Sasha has a few friends she wants to reconnect with, and Piper has graciously offered to make her sister’s wedding dress.”

  Piper stiffened. She certainly had not agreed to make Sasha’s dress. Still, there was a time and a place for that discussion, and now was not that time. With great effort, Piper kept a smile on her lips.

  “I’m so happy to hear you’re not rushing off.” Gladys beamed. “My friend Ruby Rakes is having a little get-together at Rakes Farm tomorrow night.”

  Ruby leaned forward and smiled at Jenn and Sasha. “I’d love it if you’d all attend.”

  Piper recalled getting an invitation to the holiday event for merchants, but was pretty sure the community wasn’t invited. “Gladys, I—”

  One look from the older woman had Piper going silent.

  “Piper was about to tell you that everyone who is anyone in Good Hope will be there.” Gladys shifted her attention to Sasha. “I wouldn’t be surprised if one or two of your old friends might be in attendance.”

  Sasha shot a questioning look in Piper’s direction.

  Piper thought about three long days and nights with her mother. At least at the party, there would be other people.

  “Nobody throws a party like the Rakes.” Piper smiled at her mother. “Since it’s Black Friday, I’ll be working during the day, but I’ll be off at six.”

  Piper met her mother’s narrowed-eyed gaze with a firm one of her own.

  “That will give you and Sasha time to reconnect with friends and nail down the wedding-dress specifics.” Piper still wasn’t committing to making it, but they’d have that discussion later. “Then we can relax and enjoy ourselves in the evening.”

  “Sounds like fun to me,” Sasha said when their mother hesitated.

  “It might be nice to get out and mingle.” Jenn shot a pointed glance at Piper. “We just need to be sure to keep our focus on the dress and everything that needs to get done.”

  “I’ve noticed Piper excels at staying focused.” Gladys offered Piper a supportive smile.

  “That’s because Piper doesn’t have a boyfriend or anything else in her life but work.” Jenn gave her eldest daughter a pitying glance. “When you only have yourself to worry about, it’s easy to stay focused.”

  “Not have a boyfriend?” Gladys’s dark brow arched. “Why, Piper’s boyfriend is sitting right
here.”

  Once Piper’s mother and sister sat down, Anders had focused on the delicious meal in front of him. His plan was to finish his food, then head out the door. If he thought Piper needed his assistance, he’d stay. But he had every confidence Piper could handle her opinionated mother without his help.

  When he heard the word boyfriend and Piper in the same sentence, he shifted his gaze and found all eyes on him.

  The worry in Piper’s eyes had him offering her a reassuring smile. Though he hadn’t heard the conversation, it appeared that, for reasons unknown, Gladys had intimated he was Piper’s boyfriend.

  For more unknown reasons, Piper hadn’t jumped up and told Gladys she had it all wrong.

  “I don’t believe we’ve been introduced.” Piper’s mother darted a disapproving glance at her daughter, which appeared to bounce off Piper.

  Anders pushed to his feet and moved to the end of the table where the three Ambrose women were seated. He held out a hand to Piper’s mother. “Anders Cross. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Ambrose.”

  As the woman took his hand, she studied him much like one would a bug under a microscope. “Are you a Southern boy?”

  “Yes, ma’am. You have a good ear.” Anders smiled. “I grew up in Athens, Georgia. My parents still live there, and one of my brothers is in Atlanta.”

  “What does your father do?”

  “He’s a federal court judge. My mother has her own interior design studio. My brother is an investment banker.”

  “And what—?”

  Before Jenn could grill Anders some more about his people, Piper interrupted. “Anders’s other brother, Beck, owns this café.”

  Jenn waved a dismissive hand, intent on digging deep with Anders. “How did you and my daughter meet?”

  “Mom.” This time, Sasha stepped in. “Quit with the interrogation.”

  “I simply want to make sure that…” Jenn paused as if sensing there was no tactful way for this comment to end. “Sasha is right. It’s lovely to meet you, Anders. I’m sure we’ll have more of a chance to chat this weekend.”