Chapter Seven
“Do you think I’d sound too much like a bridezilla if I asked for it to be taken in a fraction more?” Emmy asked as she stared at her reflection in the mirror they’d dragged into the living room. “I feel bad because at the last fitting I said it was fine.”
“It’s not a problem.” Pepper shook her head and picked up her list, making a note to speak to Myra—knowing Emmy would never muster up the courage to mention it to the old seamstress who also worked in the post office. Emmy was probably afraid she’d ruffle feathers and not get her mail delivered.
Nothing in Sunshine made sense. Why should a person have to worry about their mail just because they wanted their antique lace wedding dress taken in? And why couldn’t another person simply go down to the wishing bridge and take a photograph without running into the one guy that they didn’t want to see?
She dragged her attention back to all the little ticks on her long list. One of the positive outcomes of her military approach to denial was she’d gotten through a week’s worth of work in three days and still managed to brush up her interview skills for her flight to Chicago in the morning.
The interview Coop inadvertently helped her get.
“Hmmm, I’ll consider it,” Emmy said as she tugged at the fabric one last time before her turning her attention to the blue dress Pepper was currently wearing. “So, what do you think about yours? I wanted to make sure it was something you’d feel comfortable in.”
“You did a great job,” Pepper said truthfully as she paused to study her reflection. The dress was navy blue with no frills or flowers, just clean lines, making it simple and elegant. It was obvious her sister had put a lot of thought into it. “Thank you.”
“No. Thank you.” Emmy brushed away a piece of imaginary fluff from Pepper’s shoulder. “There’s no way we’d get everything done in time if you hadn’t been here to help and I know you think it’s crazy Christopher and I are getting married so quickly, but it just feels right. Like a pull that can’t be ignored. Does that even make sense?”
No.
Okay, yes.
Pepper squared her shoulders. “If getting married in three weeks makes you happy, then that’s good.”
“If she waited any longer there’s no way I could wear my bridesmaid dress.” Bec skipped into the room and did a twirl to reveal the long slits in what had originally appeared to be a sedate skirt. “Do you like it?”
“It’s perfect.” Emmy clapped and Pepper had to agree. Made in the same fabric as her own dress, the only thing they had in common was the color. And, as well as the paneled skirt, it had a gypsy style top that revealed Bec’s brown shoulders, making her look even more like a feral pixie than ever. It was also one hundred percent Bec.
“It is.” Pepper agreed, noticing Bec was holding a tub of ice cream with what appeared to be pickled ginger on the top of it. She quickly removed it. “No eating in the dress until after the ceremony. Plus, gross.”
“Don’t judge me. I’m pregnant.” Bec folded her arms and pouted.
“You know you can’t use that excuse forever,” Emmy said, which was as close to scolding as she’d ever go.
“Yeah, but it’s good for the next five months.” Bec shrugged, giving the ice cream a wistful look as Pepper carefully carried it back out to the kitchen just as a delivery van pulled up outside. The driver retrieved an oversized vase of blood red roses out of the backseat and walked toward the kitchen.
Pepper put the ice cream away and frowned. Who had ordered so many roses? She turned to her sisters, who had both followed her through.
“What’s going on? I didn’t think our next delivery was until Friday for the Taylor’s engagement party.”
“I’ve got no idea.” Emmy shook her head as she opened the door for Stan.
“Delivery,” the driver announced as he staggered into the kitchen and put the flowers onto the table. There was at least three-dozen of them, and the huge cut glass vase looked like it had cost a fortune. “For Pepper.”
What?
“For me?” Pepper lost her poise as a hundred images crashed through her mind. All of them starting with Coop. Her cheeks heated up as she scrambled to make sense of it. But it was impossible. Why would he do that?
To humiliate me?
Because he likes me?
It caught her by surprise and her heart pounded at the idea.
“Pepper has a mystery admirer?” Bec squealed as she picked up the card attached to the vase. “I wonder who it is?”
“Bec, we’ve talked about this. It’s none of our business,” Emmy said in a tight voice as she plucked the card out of her sister’s hand and passed it over to Pepper.
“Yes, and it’s ridiculous. She’s been back two and a half months and hasn’t told us a thing. And now dozens of roses turn up—looking like they cost more than my car—and we’re just expected to say nothing?” Bec said, the color mounting in her cheeks. Pepper ignored it as she reluctantly opened the card, wishing she could’ve had some privacy.
Pepper,
I made a mistake and I’m sorry. Come back to work. The partnership is yours.
Paul.
Pepper sat down as her brain scrambled to make sense of it, but her mind was like a whirlpool. Moving too quickly for anything to settle.
She’d known Paul for two years and couldn’t remember him ever saying sorry.
And he was offering her the partnership. Everything she’d always wanted. Her life in Seattle back on track. But why was he doing it? There were only two reasons and both of them led back to her interview. He knew she was having it and was worried her clients would follow. Or that I’ll bad mouth him.
She pinched her nose to cut out the overwhelming perfume of the flowers.
“If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine. But we’d like to help if we can,” Emmy said in a soft voice.
“Yeah, and all this guessing is very bad for my baby,” Bec chirped in before Emmy shot her a silent glare. “Or not,” she quickly corrected.
Pepper closed her eyes as the fight started to leave her.
She hadn’t intended on blocking her sisters out. It was just she’d spent the last eight years building a new life for herself. One where she was in control. Which meant sharing and confiding weren’t part of her day-to-day routine. Then she remembered Coop. You should open up to your sisters. Tell them what’s going on.
She opened her eyes and walked over to the cabinet where Ivy had kept the liquor. There was a bottle of whiskey Christopher had brought back from his last trip as well as the non-alcoholic ginger beer Coop had brewed especially for Bec. Her sister might not be able to have a stiff drink, but it didn’t mean she had to miss out.
She carried it all over to the table and nodded.
“If you want to know what’s going on, I’ll tell you. But it might take a while.”
“We’re not going anywhere,” Emmy quickly said as Bec shuffled to get glasses and they all sat down. Once the drinks were poured, Pepper took a sip of the whiskey. The malty alcohol teased her tongue as she took a deep breath and told her sisters about her engagement to Paul. The breakup. His vendetta that stopped her from getting another job and what triggered her extended stay on the farm. Even the part where Paul turned up and wouldn’t take no for an answer until Coop acted as her pretend boyfriend.
Once she had finished, Bec leapt out of her seat and wrapped her arms around Pepper’s shoulders. Normally, she hated when her sisters got soppy but it was strangely soothing and the tension in her shoulders lessened.
“Pepper, I’m sorry you had to go through all that alone,” Emmy said once Bec had untangled herself and returned to her seat. “Your life was imploding while I was rubbing my happiness in your face.”
“And me,” Bec said, her blue eyes filled with guilt. “I was rubbing too.”
“Stop. The pair of you. That’s exactly why I didn’t say anything.” Pepper toyed with her empty glass. “I didn’t want to bring anyone down. Besides, it was for the best. Imagine if I hadn’t found out what Paul was like until later?”
“Good point,” Emmy said before her mouth tightened. “Though I hate you were worried about money after we decided not to sell the farm. Is that why you sub-let your apartment? And didn’t buy any new clothes?”
Pepper nodded. “It seemed crazy to sit in Seattle twiddling my thumbs and bleeding money. I just had to wait it out.”
“And Paul himself?” Emmy asked, the question hanging in the air as she glanced at the roses. “Are you definitely finished?”
“Absolutely.” Pepper gave a vigorous nod of her head. “He knew how important the partnership was to me and yet he took it off the table without even discussing it first. That’s not the kind of man I can spend my life with. Or work with. Regardless of what happens at the interview, I’ll be turning down Paul’s offer.”
“Well, if you need money from the farm, we’ll figure out a way. Okay?” Emmy said, sounding surprisingly fierce.
“Thanks,” she said.
“Look, who’s here,” Bec suddenly said as a familiar car drove up and they all watched Coop come to a stop and walk toward the kitchen.
“I hope I’m not disturbing you guys,” he said, his voice doing sinful things to her stomach, at the same time letting Pepper know she was no closer to forgetting about the kiss than she had been yesterday afternoon. Then he frowned as he took in the roses and the whiskey bottle. “Okay, scrap that. I’m definitely disturbing you. Should I come back?”
His voice sounded light and casual but Pepper couldn’t help but notice the way his fingers clenched at his sides. Was it because of the flowers, the whiskey, or her? Wait, don’t answer.
“No, it’s fine,” Bec assured him. “Pepper’s just received some flowers from Paul. Don’t worry, she’s told us everything.”
“Everything?” Coop raised an eyebrow and gave her a curious glance.
“Everything they needed to know,” Pepper clarified, as her jaw tightened.
“Including how you stepped up and played Pepper’s fake boyfriend, and that you took her to the ball to help her get a job. It’s lovely you helped her out.” Bec beamed, oblivious to the sub text going on.
“It was no big deal.” Coop shrugged as if it he’d just let a neighbor borrow a cup of sugar. Then again, that’s probably what it was to him. He had just helped her out like he helped everyone out. The golden boy of Sunshine. Who kissed like a dream. “Why did Paul send flowers?”
“He’s wants her to go back and work for him,” Bec explained.
“He what?” Coop’s face darkened as he turned to Pepper. “You’re not seriously considering it, are you?”
“No.” She shook her head. After everything that had happened, going back wasn’t an option.
“And even if she had wanted to, we wouldn’t have let her. The guy sounds like a jerk,” Emmy added.
“No argument from me,” Coop said, his gaze never leaving Pepper’s face. She gulped. “I’m just pleased I could help.”
“Well, it was very sweet. So, do you like the dresses?” Bec said.
“You all look beautiful. Emmy, Christopher’s going to lose his mind when he sees you,” Coop said smoothly as leaned forward and gave Emmy a soft kiss on the cheek. Then he turned his attention to Bec. “And Lincoln’s going to go bonkers—as he’d say in that accent of his. As for Pepper—”
“Please, spare me.” Pepper cut him off before all of the calmness she prided herself on, disappeared. “Besides, you shouldn’t even be here. It’s bad luck to see the bride before her wedding.”
“I think you’ll find it’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding,” Coop corrected, his brown eyes full of amusement as a smile twitched at his gorgeous mouth.
“Besides, Coop’s like a brother,” Bec said, oblivious to the swirling sensation in Pepper’s belly. If only it was so simple. “How did your beer tasting with Morgan go?”
“Pretty good,” he said in a mild voice before grinning. “And by ‘pretty good’ I mean ‘nailed it.’ Morgan likes the set up and likes me. He’s going to invest. But don’t worry, Pepper. Before I discussed anything, we signed a non-disclosure.”
“Oh, Coop.” Bec let out a squeal and hugged him. “That’s great. Not that I’m surprised. Who can say no to you?”
“You’d be surprised,” he said while looking over the top of Bec’s head to Pepper. Her skin prickled in response. “But anyway, I’m here to celebrate. Dinner on me. And call up Lincoln and Christopher. Let’s make this a family affair.”
“Oh, I can’t. Lincoln’s taking me out for our four and a half month anniversary,” Bec said, still eyeing the ice cream, which was starting to melt. “I’m sorry.”
“And Christopher’s flying back in tonight and wants to work on our vows. It’s cute. He’s a writer but he can’t think of a single word to say.” Emmy let out a dreamy sigh, not that Pepper understood why her sister was so pleased. A groom without vows was a disaster waiting to happen. She mentally added it to her list.
“Which means it’ll be just the two of you,” Bec said with a grin.
Wait.
What?
Pepper’s head shot up and her entire body went rigid.
“Sorry. I’m busy too.” Pepper held up her list and hoped he didn’t notice most of the things were already ticked off thanks to her manic burst. “Someone has to get Emmy’s wedding organized.”
“Yes, and that someone doesn’t always need to be you.” Emmy plucked the list from Pepper’s hand. “You should go to dinner. Make sure you order all the expensive stuff. Now that we know the truth about everything, you can relax and enjoy yourself.”
“Emmy’s right. Unless you’re worried you might fall for Coop’s charm,” Bec teased before bursting into a fit of laughter. Pepper’s throat tightened. She couldn’t blame her sister for thinking it was a good joke. Because that’s exactly what it was. A joke. After all, nothing about her and Coop made sense. He was far too good looking. And he treated life like it was an amusement park.
It will never work.
Besides, tomorrow she was flying out for her interview and once she got the job she’d never have to spend time with Coop again. Which meant this might be the last time.
Last time to what?
Heat flickered through her body, turning her thighs to jelly and her stomach to liquid. His brown eyes—the ones that always seemed to tease her—were filled with uncertainty. He thinks I’m going to say no. Exhilaration crept under her skin. Normally she only felt powerful at work, doing her job. Never with a man. Certainly never with Paul. But seeing Coop standing there, unsure of what was she was going to say, turned her on in a way she never would’ve expected.
“Okay, fine. I’ll go to dinner and celebrate with you.”
Coop’s eyes widened, just a fraction before a familiar smile sprang to his mouth. “Excellent. I’ll be back at eight o’clock.”
“Great,” Pepper said and then busied herself with her list while her sisters shouted and giggled with amusement. At the bridge, Coop had accused her of hiding in plain sight. Was that what she was doing now? After all, no one would ever suspect there was anything between them, which meant this was her perfect chance to get him out of her system once and for all. She could put a tick next to his name and finally move on with her life. And then everything would be fine. She was certain of it.
…
Coop cleared his throat as he walked up to the farmhouse door. If anyone had told him he’d be going out on two dates with Pepper Watson in as many days, he would’ve laughed out loud. Well, once he picked himself up off the floor he would’ve laughed.
She only agreed to stop her sisters from teasing her, especially now they knew he’d played her fake boyfriend. He couldn’t blame them. Pepper had been vocal about her dislike of him for years, so the idea of them going out together, even as friends was amusing.
He was the only one not laughing.
His mind flickered to the dozens of roses her douchebag of an ex-boyfriend had sent her. She’d said there was no chance they would ever get back together, but then again it wouldn’t be the first time Pepper had changed her mind about something. He sighed.
Under normal circumstances he would’ve just walked into the kitchen, but somehow that didn’t seem right. The jasmine climbing the porch pillars around the front door was curled in, bracing itself for winter.
“Oh, hey, you’re here.” Pepper appeared at the front door wearing a pair of black trousers and a plain white button down shirt. They were probably expensive but it still made her look more like a server than someone going out on a date.
Because according to her it wasn’t a date.
“Hey. You look great,” he said truthfully, the rise and fall of her collarbone, visible through the undone top button of her shirt. His throat went dry as he plastered on his best game face.
“Thank you.” Her voice was breathy and face colored at the compliment before she shook it off. He pictured her naked. Shit. Get it together. “And Coop, there’s something we need to discuss—”
“Don’t worry.” He cut her off as he held up his hands and pushed away his libido. Pepper had given him her message loud and clear. “I know the rules. No looking, no kissing, no inappropriate suggestions. Definitely no mention of what happened yesterday. Just dinner to thank you for helping me out.”
A flash of emotions crossed her face before she tilted her head in agreement and reached for her coat. She shrugged it on with her normal efficiency and stepped out onto the porch. The night air contracted around them, blocking out the farm, the car, the trees. Everything that wasn’t Pepper. He let out a groan. There was no way he was going to survive the entire night. He turned to her, purposely stepping out of the bubble.
“We could just cancel,” he said keeping his gaze firmly on his shoes. “Your sisters don’t need to know.”
“Except we’re in Sunshine. You know what this place is like. If you cancel the reservation someone will tell someone else and then that person will mention it to their dog walker and we’re right back where we started.”
Oh yeah, she was resigned to going out with him, regardless of how little she wanted to. Which meant if she was going along with it, he’d have to as well. He stiffened his shoulders.
“Okay. We’ll go through with it.” He waited until she’d slid into the passenger side of his car and then walked around and climbed in. “As long as you know, everyone in Sunshine walks their own dogs.”
“Of course they do,” Pepper said with a weird shrill laugh.
He gripped the steering wheel as he drove the short distance into town, careful to keep the conversation light and neutral. Next to him Pepper toyed with her fingers. Almost like she was nervous.
In your dreams.
She’s just counting down until it’s all over.
He pulled up to Beer and Cupcakes—the bar and bakery his friends, Lizzie and Keith, ran pleased he’d made the reservation when he thought everyone would be there. Because if he’d tried to pick a restaurant just for the two of them, the ever-hopeful side of his mind might’ve insisted on booking somewhere romantic. Just to make my humiliation complete.
Thankfully they’d have a booth in the seventies style bar, eating the plain but hearty food while the other patrons played pool, made bets on when the first snow would fall, and generally ignored them.
Totally not romantic and therefore perfect.
“Oh,” Pepper said in surprise as she looked out of the window. “Is this where we’re going?”
“Is that a problem?” A flicker of interest crossed his mind.
“Oh no.” Color diffused her cheeks as she bit down on her lower lip, sending his heart rate into overdrive. “I haven’t been here before but Emmy and Bec both talk about it a lot and I know they’ve used it for some functions. I never understood how two such different businesses could work together.”
“Neither could they.” Coop stopped the engine and circled the car to open her door. Okay, do not look at her legs as she gets out. Crap. Too late. Even in the plain trousers he could imagine the slender ankles and long limbs. “When Keith first took over the bar, the pair of them fought all the time, worried the other business was going to drive away their customers. According to Lizzie it all came to a head when he hired a punk band to play during the day, disturbing the large afternoon tea party she was hosting. Then, somewhere during the argument she threw a lemon meringue pie at him. It ended in a gigantic food fight, which led to a kiss.”
“They fell in love and merged their businesses?” Pepper frowned and he could almost see her mind processing the information before finding several logical flaws in it. Just like she’d done with him.
“Something like that.” Coop shrugged as they walked into the bar where Keith greeted them.
“Good to see you, buddy. I hope now you’re going big time, you won’t forget about us. Your barrels are still the first to go.”
“Your order’s safe.” Coop grinned. Keith had been one of his first regular customers, which had helped him get the business started in the first place.
“Good to hear, and nice to see you again, Pepper,” Keith said as he ushered them over to the quieter end of the bar before reading them the specials and returning several minutes later with their drinks.
“Here’s to your business.” Pepper raised her glass.
“The business,” he said as he held his own glass up to hers, trying and failing not to notice how the pale bar light threw shadows on the soft curve of her throat. “Without your help, it might not have happened.”
“Nonsense, you made one rookie mistake. That wouldn’t have stopped them seeing the potential. Anyway, it was a fair deal. You helped me get my interview, it was the least I could do.”
“Right,” he said. It was a reminder that everything was black and white with her. She owed him and now the slate was clean. He toyed with his beer glass. “When is it?”
“I fly out tomorrow and the interview’s first thing the following day. It if goes well, I’d like to start after Emmy’s wedding.” She put down her glass and opened her purse to retrieve a pair of black-framed glasses. She slipped them over her nose and studied the menu with military precision before shutting it, a slight frown on her face.
“Do they do the salad without dressing? I’ll ask them myself. Oh, and while I’m up there, I might as well order for both of us. Because the sooner we eat, the sooner we can go home,” she said, her blue eyes barely visible behind the heavy frames of the glasses.
“Right.” Coop let out a sigh and told her what he wanted before shutting his menu. He might as well just pour cold water over himself and be done with it, because his chances of getting Pepper to change her mind about him were slim-to-not-going-to-happen-buddy.
As she marched over to where Keith was working behind the bar he rolled his shoulders and gritted his teeth. This was going to be a long night.