He leaned in again, so close she could smell his clean, male after-shave. She closed her eyes and stopped herself from giving into the impulse to inhale deeply. When she opened her eyes, he was staring at her intently.
“My mom is doing loopy things,” he said in a low tone. “I’m worried she’s going to get into trouble.”
“What kind of loopy things?”
Roman exhaled heavily, rubbed the back of his neck and rolled his shoulders. He surreptitiously peered right and left as if checking to see if anyone was listening. When he finally spoke, he looked mortified.
“She’s been picking up men at the cemetery.”
Chapter 3
Bam! Roman dropped the bomb, but he wasn’t prepared for Piper’s reaction.
Amusement danced in her startled turquoise eyes. “That Sadie. Just love her,” she said with a low chuckle. “I’d forgotten how much fun your mom can be.”
“Fun for you maybe,” he countered.
Piper pushed her hair back and the neckline of her oversized sweater slid down one shapely shoulder, revealing a flesh-colored lace bra strap. He got a mental image of her pretty, pink-tipped breasts encased in the lace bra and a shot of lust rattled him and fogged his brain. His mouth went dry and fire coursed through his veins as he recalled the velvety softness of her skin in his tennis-callused hands. He used to love to caress every inch of her sweet body until she was breathless, twisting and purring with pleasure.
“I can see you’re concerned, but it sounds harmless,” she said, dragging him back to the present.
Roman forcefully cleared his thoughts of sensual images of Piper and concentrated on what she was saying. “I wouldn’t call it harmless. I don’t like it one bit.” His jaw ticked as he remembered how disturbed he’d felt upon hearing of his mother’s odd activities.
Piper’s eyes narrowed. “How do you know she’s been doing that?”
“A friend tipped me off.”
She raised a brow. “Who?”
“Someone reliable.”
“Roman.” Exasperation laced her tone. “You can’t just drop something like that and not tell me more. I need the ‘who, what, where and when’ details.”
He ran a hand through his hair and said at last, “On two occasions my mother approached a man at the cemetery, struck up a conversation and then left with him.”
“That doesn’t mean anything,” Piper scoffed. “It could have been a friend of hers who happened to be there.”
“It was two different men. Strangers,” he added for good measure.
“Huh.” Stumped, she sat very still, her brows lowered over attentive eyes as she tried to make sense of what he’d told her. “I can’t even…”
“That’s two of us,” Roman muttered.
Piper’s forehead crinkled. “The Sadie I know is always busy with something, whether it’s tennis, volunteer work, Zumba, the list goes on. I can’t imagine her going to the cemetery every day to pick up men.”
“I didn’t say she went there every day. Both times were on a Saturday morning.”
“Saturday morning? What time?”
“Around 10 am.”
“I wonder why she’d pick that time to do it?”
“Who knows? To drum up a Saturday night date?” he speculated, feeling like a cad for being flippant about his mother.
Piper waved a dismissive hand. “Oh please, I doubt that.” Nevertheless, she looked disturbed as she stared into her glass. “Is it the cemetery where your dad was buried?”
“No, it’s the one off of Immokalee Road next to St. John the Evangelist Church. Her second husband was buried there.”
“Oh.” One simple word coupled with a protracted sigh signaled she was close to giving in. “OK, I’ll do it,” she said after a pause. “You can count on me to check in on your mom, but I won’t accept money for it.”
“That’s no way to run a business.” Like hell he wouldn’t pay her for her time. She might be a talented jewelry designer, but she ran a business to make ends meet. He had more than enough money to pay for her services a hundred times over.
Her eyes gleamed with determination as she stated, “If we are going to work together, we do it my way or no deal.”
So she wanted to call the shots. Piper didn’t play games – she never had. He had hurt her in the past, and she didn’t trust him. But the air around them was electrically charged, and he was having a hard time not noticing how beautiful she looked sitting before him with no makeup on and a pureness of heart that no other woman he’d known possessed.
Her face was unforgettable with wide, dark-lashed jewel like eyes that sparkled with wit, a proud, straight nose and high, angular cheekbones. His gaze fixed on her generous mouth and his pulse pounded with the memory of those full, rosy lips kissing him with unbridled passion.
He clamped his jaw down and looked away from her mouth. “Are you hungry? Would you like something to eat?”
His offer of food seemed to surprise her. “No, thanks. I’m not hungry.”
That made two of them. Seeing Piper again had overstimulated every nerve in his body. Food was the last thing on his mind. “I realize it’s your business, and I understand that you want to call the shots, but there are basic things I need from you.”
She cocked her head and regarded him with an air of suspicion. “Like what?”
“Like checking in on my mother daily and reporting back to me until I can decide what to do. I’m the client, so I’ll expect a lot of communication with you going forward.”
Piper grew still and her face went through a range of emotions. Beneath her tough façade, there lurked a tender heart and innate need to do right. He admired her honesty and resilience. She was strong, but deeply sensitive. Silken steel…now more so than ever.
Would she agree to his request? She was making him stew as she mulled it over. Piper had never been one to mince words, yet today she seemed at a loss for words as she fiddled with the stem of her wineglass.
“We’ll work something out,” she said noncommittally. “But first I need to see your mother to assess the situation.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it. When can you do it?” he said quickly, not giving her time to change her mind.
She whipped out her phone. “Let me check my calendar. Tomorrow looks difficult,” she said with a slight frown. “I have clients who need me in the morning and in the afternoon.” She slipped her phone back into her shoulder bag. “I’ll see what I can do. Maybe Amelie can cover a couple of those appointments. If not, the soonest I can see her is on Saturday.”
“That works. I need details on her injury. She shouldn’t be driving around with that sling on her arm.”
Piper nodded. “I understand. I’ll let you know when I’ve made contact with her.” She lifted her handbag from the back of her chair at the same time his friend Todd approached their table.
“Hey buddy, good to see you.” Todd clapped Roman on the back as Roman got up. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?” he said, nodding toward Piper.
“Sure, this is Piper Chandler.” Roman turned toward Piper. “Piper, meet Todd Baylor. He owns this joint.”
“Nice to meet you, Piper,” Todd said, engulfing Piper’s hand in his big one. “I’m the bearded dragon this place is named after.” He pointed to his short-cropped beard with a self-deprecating grin that never failed to charm the ladies. “See the resemblance?”
Piper smiled. “I do.”
Todd ran a hand through his longish dark blonde hair, and Roman watched Piper’s gaze flicker to Todd’s bulging, tattooed biceps.
“Can I get you another round of drinks?” Todd asked.
“No, thanks. I was just leaving.” Piper stood and slung her handbag on her shoulder.
“Why so soon?” Todd gestured to the empty table. “You haven’t tried our famous chicken wings yet. They’ll make your eyes water and your lips sting, but damn, they’re good. Award winning too.” His blue eyes twinkled in his deeply bron
zed face. He was laying it on thick for Piper.
“I love spicy food.” Piper’s smile widened as she made eye contact with Todd. “Those award winning wings sound great, but I’ll have to take a rain check on them. I have a previous commitment. ”
“My loss. Come back soon, and I’ll treat you.” Todd winked. “On the house.”
Piper continued to smile as she smoothed her hair back from her face, the motion exposing her creamy shoulder under the loose neckline of her sweater. “Sounds great. Bye, guys.”
She turned and sashayed away, round bottom swaying and long dark hair bouncing on her shapely back. Roman couldn’t keep his eyes off her as she retreated.
When she was out of earshot, Todd’s brows raised appreciatively as he let out a low whistle. “Hot damn, watch out for dangerous curves.” He shook his head as if to clear it. “Where have you been hiding Piper? She is hotter than a chili pepper. I’ve never seen eyes like hers. They’re the color of the ocean off the coast of Aruba”
Roman lifted a sarcastic brow. “Getting poetic?”
Todd grinned slyly. “Whatever it takes.”
“She’s taken,” Roman said curtly. He didn’t know if Piper had a boyfriend, but he wasn’t happy that Todd had interrupted his conversation with her, prompting her to leave. Todd was a hell raiser. He had no business salivating over Piper.
“Too bad,” Todd said. “She’s my type.”
“Well, you’re not her type,” Roman snapped.
Todd drew back, affronted. “Hey. What’s eating you?”
Roman scowled. “Nothing.”
Todd crossed his arms over his chest and eyed Roman, a hint of amusement playing at his lips. “Brie called earlier. She wanted to know if you were already here.”
Roman kept his expression even, though he didn’t like Brie checking up on him. They’d only been dating a few months.
“She said you were having a business meeting. ”
“I was.”
Todd lazily lifted a shoulder and grinned. “If you say so, bro. Better watch out. Brie has sharp little nails and if she…” he trailed off and didn’t finish when Roman shot him a ‘shut your face’ look.
“What do you want me to tell her if she shows up tonight?” Todd asked pleasantly.
Roman’s jaw ticked. “Tell her I left.”
Chapter 4
Saturday morning, Piper drove to the Hodges Funeral Cemetery with mounting dread. She tried to bat away the niggling guilt over spying on Roman’s mother, though she was there at his strong urging.
She had no other choice but to check up on her. How else could she see for herself if Sadie was picking up unsuspecting widowers? The situation was confounding and out of character for her.
Piper kept her convertible top up as she tugged a baseball cap over her forehead and donned oversized, black sunglasses. She hid her long braid, tucking it into the back of the collar of her chambray blouse as she approached the parking lot. It was 9:45 in the morning, early enough to find an inconspicuous spot where she could observe Sadie from a distance. She parked under a large oak tree and waited.
Sadie arrived ten minutes later and pulled into a parking space close to the entrance. She got out of her sleek white Mercedes Benz with a large straw tote on her right forearm, the one not in the sling. An assortment of daisies and white chrysanthemums spilled over the edge of the tote.
At 78 degrees, it was warm even for Naples in January. Sadie looked like she was going to a spring picnic, not the cemetery. She was as tall and willowy as Piper remembered, with dark golden hair that fell in loose waves to her shoulders. Wearing a long-sleeved, gauzy white dress cinched at the waist with a braided, tan leather belt, a straw Panama hat and tan espadrilles, she could have been a model. Large mirrored aviators partially covered her face as she ambled down the sidewalk.
Piper waited until Sadie made her way into the cemetery lawn and then followed her, keeping at a good distance. There were a handful of visitors, mostly women, on the immaculately kept grounds. Some sat in reflection on the white stone benches that dotted the otherwise green lawn. Others stood next to the tombstones, paying their respects in prayerful silence.
Sadie set the straw tote on the grass and perused the gathered mourners, her gaze leisurely spanning the area until she spotted a tall, older gentleman with a shock of white hair and deeply tanned skin standing beside a gravestone with his head bent and his hands clasped behind his back. When he turned to leave, Sadie headed in his direction.
She wasted no time in striking up a conversation with the man, who seemed initially surprised, but soon warmed up. She gestured to her injured arm with a self-deprecating smile and within seconds, he took the straw tote from her arm and followed her to a tombstone. He held the tote open while Sadie plucked out a bottle of water to fill the iron vase on the marble slab. She took her time arranging the flowers and chatting with the man until the vase was brimming with white and yellow blossoms.
Sadie bowed her head and seemed to be saying a prayer while the older man patted her shoulder reassuringly. Soon they were walking toward Sadie’s car, and Piper decided it was time to head back to hers before Sadie saw her.
From her vantage point, Piper watched the man courteously open the door for Sadie, put her straw tote in the back seat and get in the passenger seat. Goosebumps of alarm prickled Piper’s arms. It wasn’t safe for Sadie to be riding in cars with strange men, even senior citizens!
She breathed a sigh of relief when Sadie dropped him off beside his car, but her relief was short-lived when she saw her drive away with him following closely behind.
Perhaps Roman wasn’t being an alarmist after all.
* * *
Piper went to see Sadie on Sunday morning. After following Sadie and her impromptu suitor to Panera yesterday, she’d waited in her car until their meeting was over and they walked to the parking lot. Sadie handed the older gent a small white card and chatted for a while outside.
When they exited the parking lot in separate cars and went in different directions, Piper left too. If Sadie hadn’t gone home alone, she would have had to find a way to intervene. Roman was counting on her to keep an eye on his mother and make sure she wasn’t doing foolish things…like impulsively inviting strange men into her home.
As soon as she got home from tailing Sadie, Piper called her. The surprised delight in Sadie’s voice and her exclamations of joy when she heard Piper wanted to visit her on Sunday made Piper’s heart hurt for staying away so long. She shouldn’t have distanced herself from Sadie without telling her why.
The dear woman must have wondered what was going on when Piper cancelled on her and never made plans to see her. After she learned that Sadie had remarried, Piper stopped calling her, figuring that Sadie had good company and wouldn’t miss her. It was a mistake she regretted, especially after hearing that Sadie had widowed a second time. The least she could have done for her cherished friend was offer condolences and visit her while she grieved.
After promising to have brunch at Sadie’s house, Piper hung up and called Roman to let him know that she had made arrangements to visit her on Sunday morning. She didn’t mention seeing his mother at the cemetery and kept the call brief and professional. She wasn’t ready to tell him anything until she spoke to Sadie.
Roman called ahead to give Piper access into the exclusive community where Sadie had lived alone between husbands for the past 30 years. She played tennis almost every day and had a robust social life, though she once confided in Piper that when she had widowed from Rex, her first husband and Roman’s father, many of her couple friends had shunned her.
“The gals worried that I’d try to steal their husbands,” Sadie had said, her golden brown eyes clouded with hurt. “I’m not that type of person, but you know how some women act when it comes to their men.”
Piper agreed with her. In her line of business, she noticed that after age 65, the ratio of men to women dropped. Even in sunny, peaceful Naples, where longevity was
the norm, the men tended to die before the women. Single men were always at a premium, especially the wealthy widowers.
She passed through the guard station and waved at the uniformed lady guard as she made her way into the lush oasis called White Pelican’s Nest. Three winding roads all led to a large lake surrounded by sprawling Florida homes with well-tended gardens filled with tropical fruit trees, a variety of palms, colorful bougainvillea and blossoming shrubs.
Passing by the clubhouse and tennis courts, Piper recalled the times Roman had tried to teach her to play tennis. It had ended up being a futile goal. No matter how hard she’d tried, Piper just wasn’t good at tennis. Her lack of eye/hand coordination was laughable. Seeing her distress, Roman had hugged her tightly, assuring her that he loved her for trying, and not to worry because he had enough competitors to play with.
As yearning for those special times seeped in, Piper jutted her chin and shook free of the sweet recollection. There was no sense in reliving the past; it only made her ache for a different ending. Her dreamer days were over. Surviving that big, crushing heartbreak had taken care of that, and she had emerged a realist…or at least she hoped so.
Piper turned into the cul-de-sac leading to Sadie’s home and spotted her sitting on a wooden swing on the portico surrounded by coral and white begonias in giant royal blue clay pots. The large, rambling home was as Piper remembered, even down to the ecru walls and white tile roof. How many Saturday mornings had they shared a cup of coffee on that front porch, chatting about anything and everything when Roman had been traveling? Too many to count, Piper thought with a pang of nostalgia.
The moment Piper parked and got of her car, Sadie came rushing forward.
“Piper Chandler, get over here and give me some sugar.” A beaming smile lit her face as she stood with one arm outstretched and the other in a sling. “It’s been much too long, young lady. I was beginning to feel rejected.”
Piper’s face heated with a rush of regret. “It has been too long. I...” she faltered and looked down. She took a deep breath and decided to come clean. Lifting her gaze, she met Sadie’s questioning eyes with an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry I just disappeared like that. It was selfish of me. I thought that keeping a distance from you would help me get over Roman easier because he is so much like you. Not in looks, but in many other ways.”
Loved by You Page 3