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

by Cindy Kirk

  On Monday, Piper met with accountants Max and Prim Brody to begin the process of dissolving her business. She left their office with a checklist.

  They would take care of filing the necessary paperwork to legally shut down Swoon, including notifying her creditors and the IRS.

  On her plate was selling off inventory. Swoon’s going-out-of-business sale would begin Friday and run through the twenty-eighth. She’d then have three days to clear everything that was left out of the space before the end of the year.

  The last two weeks of December were going to be busy ones.

  “Are you sure you want this marked fifty percent off?” Charlotte held up a cashmere sweater. “It’s current price is more than fair.”

  “It needs to sell.” Piper looked up from the bridal gowns she was discounting. “After Christmas, everything goes to seventy-five percent off.”

  Charlotte nodded and added the red sticker.

  “All the outerwear is marked down.” Bea moved to Piper’s side. “What would you like done next?”

  “The sweaters on that table still need tags.” Piper recalled how excited she’d been about that particular shipment, and her voice wobbled.

  “It will be okay.” Bea offered an encouraging smile. “You’ll rise like a Phoenix from the ashes, moving onward to something bigger and better.”

  “Bea’s right.” Charlotte gave a decisive nod. “When I had to close my business in San Diego, it stung. Looking back, I see now that it was for the best.”

  In the past, Piper would have swallowed her feelings to make things easier for her friends. She’d have made them believe that their efforts to cheer her up had worked. No more.

  “Thank you for being concerned and trying to make me feel better. The truth is, I’m sad.” She expelled a shaky breath. “I understand this is part of business, but I hate that it’s happening. I’ll be okay with time, but right now it’s kind of hard to feel optimistic. Which is why I’m glad I have friends like you, and I don’t have to hide my feelings.”

  Sympathy shone in Charlotte’s blue depths. “I never meant to minimize your feelings. I know this is difficult. I cried for days after I closed my San Diego salon. You have such hopes when you open a business, and then when it doesn’t work out, you—”

  “Feel like a failure,” Piper finished. “Right or wrong, that’s how I feel.”

  Charlotte nodded, and her eyes held a sheen.

  Bea slipped around the display of cable-knit sweaters to put her arms around Piper. “Whatever you need, I’m here for you, Pips.”

  The nickname had tears slipping down Piper’s cheeks. On top of everything, she missed Sasha.

  “I’m here for you, too.” Charlotte moved in and wrapped her arms around the two of them. “Group hug.”

  By the time Piper stepped back and her two friends returned to pricing garments, she found she could breathe more easily.

  Charlotte looked up. “Have you seen Anders lately?”

  Just like that, Piper’s calm vanished. “I haven’t”

  “For what it’s worth,” Charlotte said, “he came to talk to Adam many days ago, and it sounded like he was considering several different locations all around town. I don’t think he was angling to get your space here.”

  “Clay said something similar,” Bea added. “He said Anders mentioned that a Wrigley Road location would be great if it could be a spot like Swoon’s.”

  Piper released a heavy sigh. “I know I should be happy he wanted the space, because that’s why David let me out of my lease. The fact that Anders didn’t tell me that he and David discussed him taking over the lease is the real issue.”

  Bea and Charlotte offered Piper sympathetic nods.

  “I mean,” Piper flung out her hands in frustration, “technically, he could have eased my worries about breaking the lease if he’d just told me. The fact that he didn’t makes everything he said and did while we were together look…calculated in some way. Was he manipulating me, or did I get it all wrong? How can I be in a relationship with a guy who isn’t up-front with me?”

  As there was no easy answer to that question, Piper picked up the pricing gun. Nursing her aching heart, she went back to work.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Instead of heading straight up to her apartment after her friends left, Piper lingered downstairs. She walked around the store, touching the soft fabrics, remembering why she’d decided to purchase certain items and how excited she’d been when each shipment had arrived.

  Memories surfaced of the early years, when business had been good and she’d held such high hopes for the future. Back then, she’d been confident and boldly optimistic. Swoon was her heart, and she was determined to succeed.

  She’d meant what she’d told Bea and Charlotte. She needed time to grieve the loss of her dream, to simply feel sad.

  The tears sliding down her cheeks unchecked, well, they were part of the process, too.

  She knew the situation with Sasha only added to her misery. Despite reaching out to her sister by phone and text with numerous conciliatory messages, Sasha had yet to respond. Their mother’s only response had been to blame Piper.

  No surprise there, Piper thought with a resigned sigh.

  Though she wished things could be different, she would let things be, at least for now.

  When Piper finally climbed the stairs, she seriously considered taking a shower and heading straight to bed, despite the early hour. Until her gaze fell on the relationship cards next to the bed.

  She huffed out a breath. Another reminder of failure. Scooping up the cards, Piper dropped them into her purse. Fifteen minutes later, she strode through the door of the Good Hope Living Center.

  When she spotted the sign advertising Bingo Night in the Dining Hall, Piper followed the arrows, confident Gladys would be in the center of the action.

  “Piper.”

  She whirled to see Ami hurrying toward her, holding a huge platter of assorted cookies and bars.

  “Here for bingo?” Ami’s smile, warm and friendly, put Piper instantly at ease.

  Piper had steered clear of church and Muddy Boots since her breakup with Anders. Good Hope was too small of a community to keep her distance for long, but she needed time to herself.

  “Actually, I’m here to give Gladys her relationship cards.” Piper twisted her lips up in what she hoped was some semblance of a smile. “I have no need for them.”

  Sympathy filled Ami’s eyes, but she only nodded and gestured with her head toward the dining area. “Would you mind getting the door for me?”

  Relief flooded Piper. She should have known Ami wouldn’t make things difficult.

  After Ami walked through the doorway, Piper followed her into a spacious room with linen-clad tables and chandeliers. Floyd Lawson, former CPA and part-time Giving Tree Santa Claus, manned the podium, calling out numbers.

  “Do you need any help?” Piper asked Ami, even as her gaze scanned the room.

  “I’ve got this covered.” Ami smiled. “But thanks for offering.”

  Piper spotted Gladys at a back table. Weaving her way between tables, Piper had nearly reached her when a woman on the opposite side of the room jumped to her feet and called out, “Bingo.”

  Floyd smiled. “Lars, could you please verify her numbers?”

  The retired principal rose and ambled over to inspect the card of a gray-haired woman wearing cat-eye glasses. After a brief review, Lars gave Floyd the thumbs-up.

  Floyd leaned close to the microphone. “Congratulations, Mary. Your timing is superb. Ami from Blooms Bake Shop just arrived with the evening treats, so we’re going to take a break now. Everyone enjoy the goodies, but be back in ten minutes for Starburst Jackpot Bingo.”

  From the excited murmur rippling through the room, Piper concluded the game must be a favorite.

  She closed the last few feet to where Gladys sat with Ruby, Katherine and Oaklee.

  “Piper.” Gladys’s face lit up at the sight of her
. “This is a lovely surprise. Won’t you join us?”

  “Thanks for the invitation, but I need to get back to the store.”

  Sympathy filled Gladys’s eyes. “I heard about Swoon closing. I’m so very sorry.”

  “It was such a darling boutique,” Ruby added.

  Piper’s heart twisted. They were already referring to Swoon in the past tense.

  Katherine’s expression remained somber. “It’s a great loss to Good Hope.”

  “I’m sorry, too, Piper.” Oaklee reached out, startling Piper by grabbing her hand. “Life without Swoon sucks big.”

  Emotion clogged Piper’s throat at the concern. “Thank you.”

  As if realizing Piper was on the verge of tears, Gladys took control of the moment. “If you’re not here for bingo, tell us what brings you by this evening.”

  In answer, Piper shoved her hand into her bag and pulled out the cards. She set the deck in front of Gladys. “I came to give you these.”

  Gladys arched a penciled-in brow. “You and Anders answered all three?”

  “Only two.”

  “You have to do three.” Gladys slid the deck back across the table toward Piper.

  Piper ignored the cards. “No, actually, we don’t.”

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Oaklee open her mouth, then snap it shut at a sharp look from Gladys.

  “Thank you for giving them to me.” Piper kept her focus on Gladys. “I found the questions helpful, but I’m ready to be done with them.”

  Gladys studied her for a long moment. A slow smile curved her red lips. “I admire a woman who knows her own mind and chooses her own path.”

  Piper braced herself for what she knew was coming next. Questions about Anders.

  Thankfully, Floyd was back at the podium. “Five minutes until blastoff. Prepare yourself, ladies and gentlemen, for more exciting action and great prizes.”

  “Won’t you stay?” Gladys lifted one of the three cards she was playing. “I’ll give you one of my cards.”

  “Playing might take your mind off your troubles.” Ruby gestured to the empty chair next to her. “We have room.”

  “Thank you. Perhaps another time. I’ll let you get back to your fun.” Piper widened her smile to include everyone at the table. “I hope you all get a chance to stop by Swoon before it closes. I’ve marked down a lot of good stuff.”

  Without waiting for a response, Piper turned and headed for the exit. She was so intent on getting out that she didn’t notice Ami leaving until she had to draw up short to avoid running into her.

  “I’m sorry.” Piper brought a hand to her chest. “I didn’t see you.”

  Ami chuckled. “I’m getting out of Dodge while I still can.”

  Piper’s lips quirked upward. “Gladys and Ruby asked me to stay. I wasn’t even tempted.”

  Ami slanted a sideways glance at her as they reached the lobby. The spacious area was empty except for a young woman behind the reception desk. She offered a friendly smile before refocusing on her phone.

  Ami shot Piper a teasing glance. “You weren’t even a little bit tempted to stay and play?”

  “Not when I knew Gladys would ask about—” Piper stopped herself. Ami was so easy to talk with that she’d nearly forgotten she was Anders’s sister-in-law.

  “I was sorry to hear that you and Anders hit a rough patch.” Ami gestured to the chairs positioned near a huge stone fireplace with a crackling fire. “I’m not eager to venture outside right now. Want to sit for a minute?”

  Since Piper had arrived, the wind had picked up, flinging icy rain against the windows. Piper shivered, despite her heavy coat. “I wouldn’t mind enjoying the fire for a bit, but I don’t want to talk about the breakup.”

  Ami took her arm. “Then we won’t.”

  When Piper asked Ami how business at the bake shop was going, Ami told her about some of her upcoming plans. One was a new line of prepared desserts for singles and families, and another was a new online ordering system with curbside pickup.

  Ami’s excitement showed on her face and reverberated in her voice.

  Piper recalled all the wonderful marketing ideas that had swirled in her head when she’d first opened Swoon. “I’m sure the desserts will be a huge hit.”

  “I hope so. You know how it is. You try new things and hope for the best.” Sympathy filled Ami’s green eyes. “I’m sorry about Swoon.”

  “Thank you. It’s difficult…letting go of dreams.”

  Reaching over, Ami gave Piper’s hand a squeeze. “Have you thought about what you’re going to do next?”

  “You mean other than surviving the holidays, the going-out-of-business sale and getting rid of everything that’s left so I can be out of the retail space by January first?”

  Ami flashed a sympathetic smile. “You’ve got too much entrepreneurial spirit not to have other business ideas percolating.”

  Since her split with Anders, Piper had taken time to consider her future. “You know that small Victorian home on Summit?”

  “The pink one with the green and white trim?”

  Piper chuckled. “That’s the one.”

  “I know it very well. When I was in high school, I used to clean for Dexter Woodard’s grandmother. Once Mrs. Woodard died, a guy from Sturgeon Bay bought the home as an investment. He’s been renting it out. According to Cade, it’s become somewhat of a party house.”

  “Which is probably why the owner is so eager to unload it.”

  Ami’s eyes widened. “Are you thinking of buying it?”

  “The lease on my apartment is tied to my commercial lease, so—”

  “I’m sure David will let you live there for as long as you want,” Ami interrupted.

  “Possibly. Probably,” Piper amended. “But Wrigley Road is my past. I need to move on. I can’t do that if I continue to live there.”

  “I understand.” Ami sat back. “How does Mrs. Woodard’s house fit into your plans?”

  “I contacted a realtor—Tim Vandercoy, actually—figuring he’d know of any hot deals on homes in the area.” Piper’s lips quirked. “He mentioned this house and asked if I’d be interested in a land contract, assuming I liked it, which I do. The owner is eager to wash his hands of the property and willing to entertain all offers.”

  “Is the house worth renovating?”

  “Tim said a couple who was looking at buying it had all the inspections done, then had to back out because of an unexpected job transfer. The foundation, roof, plumbing and electrical all passed. The potential is there, and it has the right feel.”

  “Forgive me if I’m getting too much into your business, but do you have the money?”

  “My down payment, interest rate and other terms would be negotiated with the seller. I met with Max and Prim. I won’t be completely destitute after Swoon is liquidated. I’m hoping to have enough to swing a small down payment.”

  “Why that house?”

  “It’s only two blocks off Main Street, and the zoning is both business and residential, which means I could live in the house as well as operate a business there.”

  Ami inclined her head. “You’re considering opening a home-based business?”

  “Over the years, I’ve built a following for my seamstress business. I’d like to expand into a full-fledged tailor shop, making several custom wedding dresses a year.” Piper shrugged. “I won’t get rich, but if I watch my pennies, I should be able to live comfortably enough.”

  Piper paused, hoping her plans didn’t sound too pie-in-the-sky. Still, she felt her excitement build. She’d be doing what she enjoyed without all the worry about maintaining a store.

  Ami tapped two fingers to her lips. “There certainly isn’t anything like it in Good Hope.”

  Piper sat back and relaxed fully. Perhaps it was the warmth from the hearth, or the piped-in holiday music overhead, or maybe it was simply envisioning a future that excited her. One that would allow her to have a more balanced life.

&nbs
p; “I want to ask you something.” Ami hesitated. “You and Hadley, you’re okay, right? I know that comment she made led to you and Anders—”

  “Nothing that’s happened has changed my opinion of Hadley. I like her.” Since Ami had brought up one elephant in the room, Piper would bring up another. “With Anders being your brother-in-law, do you think us being friends will be awkward?”

  “No.” A soft look filled Ami’s eyes. “Anders will want only what’s best for me…and for you.”

  Piper clasped her hands together in her lap. “He didn’t tell me he and David discussed him taking over my lease if I had to close Swoon..”

  “You feel betrayed.”

  “I did. Maybe I still do, a little anyway.” Piper expelled a breath. “Life would be so much easier if things were black and white.”

  Ami chuckled, but her expression remained somber.

  “Beck and I had our ups and downs while we were dating. Sometimes it’s worth it to persevere and get through the rough patches. Sometimes it’s better to walk away.” Ami pushed up from her chair to stand. “Only you know the best course for you.”

  “I don’t think you understand.” Piper pulled slowly to her feet. “Whatever once existed between Anders and me is already over.”

  “Maybe.” Ami shrugged. “Though if what you feel for each other is strong enough, you’ll find a way back to each other.”

  “Do you really believe that?” Piper found herself holding her breath.

  “With my whole heart.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  After a short drive from the Living Center, Piper pulled into her parking space behind Swoon. The wind had finally died down, and the sky had quit spitting ice pellets. She realized that simply speaking with Ami about her plans for the future had bolstered her spirits.

  She stepped from the car. Her mind raced with possibilities, including what Ami had said about her and Anders finding their way back to each other.

  “Piper.”

  As if thinking about him had conjured him, she saw Anders standing beside her door, balancing a huge tree.