Lois Richer - His Winter Rose

Piper Langley came from money. He probably should have figured that out, given her chic clothes and perfectly styled hair. It made her presence here in the backwoods even more curious.

“The house is far too big for one person, but—” she shrugged “—I love it. Every room is full of memories.”

He envied her that strong sense of family identity. He’d never had it. Maybe that’s why he pushed so hard for Serenity Bay to be the kind of place families could be together.

Most of the time the land acquisition team he’d been part of at Expectations seemed a thousand miles away, part of the distant past. Then he’d remember Trevor and that horrible feeling of being duped and he was right back there. Once he’d almost been willing to sell his soul to buy a piece of Expectations—so deep went his need to be part of something important and fulfilling.

Jason blinked back to reality when Piper swung a briefcase onto his desk. He hadn’t even noticed her carrying it.

“I took the liberty of drafting up a few ideas for you to look over, Jason.” She took a quick look at him over one shoulder as if to check he was listening, then spread charts and graphs across his desk. “I’ve been talking to several corporate heads and put together a list of those who might be willing to chip in as sponsors for different events I’ve planned for the summer.”

The woman twigged his curiosity. According to her résumé, she’d had a great job in Calgary. Her boss had told him confidentially that when she’d resigned, she’d refused a substantial raise to stay, even given them rather short notice to come to Serenity Bay. Yet no one Jason contacted had said anything negative about her. Rather, they were very vocal with their praise of her skills.

Cathcart House couldn’t be the only thing drawing her back. She could have kept that as a summer place, visited during her vacations. Instead she’d made a permanent move from the city to the middle of nowhere.

Stop questioning your good luck, Franklin.

“As you can see, I’ve scheduled events throughout the summer and fall. That way we can maximize the exposure without running ourselves ragged.”

Jason hadn’t heard all of what she’d said, but what he had absorbed told him her plans were ambitious. And clearly thought out.

“Piper. Why are you here?”

She feigned composure, but Jason caught the slight tremor in her hand, the way her eyes flickered before she glanced down.

“I’m here to do a job, to help make Serenity Bay a desirable getaway for those who want a healthy, natural vacation.” She looked up, met his stare. “Isn’t that what you wanted?”

Her voice was quiet, relaxed. And yet something nagged at him.

“Yes, it’s what we want,” he admitted.

“Do you want me to leave?”

“Of course not. We’re delighted that someone with your qualifications is willing to take on the project.” He paused, unsure of exactly the right words that would voice his feelings.

“You have doubts about my ability.”

“Not really. It’s just…I can’t help speculating why you chose to return at this particular time. Your grandparents—?”

“They moved into a nursing home in Toronto about three years ago. They’ve since passed away.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Thanks.” Piper’s clear skin flushed. “If there’s a problem with my references—”

He shook his head. “No, there’s no problem.”

She frowned, lifted one palm. “Then—”

He was an idiot to question the best thing that had happened since he’d been elected mayor. Everything he’d learned said she was great at what she did. That should be enough.

“Forgive my question. I’ve been told I’m a little obsessed when it comes to our bay.” He smiled, hunkering down to peer at her work. “This looks very aggressive.”

Piper didn’t answer for several minutes, but when she did, a guarded note edged her voice in cool reserve.

“I thought that was the point. Didn’t you want to start showing the world what treasures you have here in cottage country?”

“Yes, of course. Could you explain the first step?”

“It will be a weekend extravaganza, to whet appetites so people will want to come back.”

Maybe Serenity Bay was her escape, too.

Jason nodded as if he’d understood. But he hadn’t. Especially about that winter festival. He’d been thinking about promoting the Bay as a summer resort town and now she was talking about year-round development.

“Is there anyone you might know who could offer me some input on current local activities?”

He thought a moment, then nodded.

“The artists’ guild is meeting this afternoon. They’re the primary draw for outsiders at the moment. We have quite a number of local artisans. Weavers, painters, potters, stained-glass artists. Several earn a living from their work but most of them have to go to the other towns to capitalize on the customers that flood in during the summer.”

“If we bring people in here, that will change. I can understand why they live here. The beauty stimulates your creative genes.”

“Are you an artist, too?” He somehow couldn’t imagine her spattered in paint.

“My grandfather was a goldsmith, my grandmother a jewelry designer. They taught me. I’d like to get back to it one of these days.”

Gold. Yeah, that fit her perfectly.

“I see you have a tour program proposed,” Jason said. “Some of the guild members would certainly go for that. Why not ask for volunteers to help with the extravaganza thing? That way you’d get to know them sooner.”

“Yes, I’d thought of that.” Her eyes glittered like black onyx. “This is going to be a very exciting time in Serenity Bay, Jason. I can’t wait to see what happens.”

“Neither can I.” He cleared his throat.

“But?” She frowned.

“I’d appreciate it if you’d keep me in the loop about what you’re doing. The council has several ideas of their own. We don’t want to overlap.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll keep you informed of whatever’s happening. Thanks for your support.” In a flash she gathered her papers and replaced them in her briefcase.

Five minutes later Piper Langley was walking down the pier toward a small red compact that sat in the parking lot.

Jason waited until he saw her taillights disappear, then he picked up the phone.

“Hey, Ida. How are you?” He chuckled at the growl from the town’s secretary. Ida’s bark was always worse than her bite. “Yes, I do know you’re off work today. I just want to ask you something. Our new economic development officer is officially on the job. Can you let me know if she asks you for anything special?”

“Asks me for something? Like what?” Ida Cranbrook never skirted an issue. She claimed she was too old for that. “Pens? Paper?”

“You know what I mean. I just want to make sure she and I are on the same channel,” he muttered. “We haven’t got much of a budget. I don’t want to see it squandered.”

“You think she’ll do that? A woman with her reputation?”

“Well—”

“You don’t have to spell it out. I get it, Jason. You want to approve everything before she does it.”

“You make that sound like a bad thing.” Silence. Jason sighed. “I just need to know. Okay? Satisfied?”

“Not nearly.” She cackled at her own joke. “You’re the boss, Jason. If you want me to spy on the girl and give you daily reports, I suppose I’ll have to do it. But I won’t like it.”

“I’m not asking you to spy on her.”

“Ha!” Ida Cranbrook was no fool.

“Never mind. Sorry I bothered you, Ida. Especially on your day off.”

“Doesn’t matter a bit. Harold’s nodded off to sleep in the middle of one of those car races, anyway. I just started spicing up some ribs for dinner. You interested?”