Chapter Four
“Is that a new sweater?”
“What’s my sweater got to do with anything?” Pepper pushed aside the spreadsheet she’d been working on and tried to ignore her youngest sister’s probing gaze. Bec’s habit of seeing the one thing a person didn’t want her to see was more than a little annoying. Especially, since Pepper had no intention of anyone ever finding out that she and Coop had kissed two days ago.
And last night.
What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I control myself when he’s around?
“Well, let’s see.” Bec leaned back in her chair and rubbed her belly. Since she was four months pregnant and only had the slightest of bumps, Pepper could only guess it was for dramatic purposes. “You’ve been back for two and a half months—under very mysterious circumstances I might add—and so far you’ve refused to buy any new clothes. Last week I even caught you ironing one of Charlie’s old shirts, which I can only presume means you were going to wear it. Yet, since calling this truce with Coop, you’re suddenly sweater shopping. What gives?”
Pepper flinched. Yes, she’d been careful with her money because with no job, or money from the farm, she had to rely her savings to support her and pay the mortgage on her apartment in Seattle, which was crazy high, even with the sublet in place. People always teased her about being too controlling, but it was because she was all too familiar with not having any control.
To wake up one day and discover your parents were dead and your house and life were no longer your own. To be sent to live on a farm without anyone even asking what you wanted to do. It’s why she’d spent her teenage years working toward a better life.
And I’m close to getting it all back on track, which is why falling for Coop would be bad. With flashing lights.
“Nothing gives.” Pepper wished she hadn’t bothered to go into the small boutique next to the dressmakers after Emmy had finished with her fitting earlier in the day. She’d only done it to look at potential interview suits for when she finally managed to get her foot back into the corporate door. None of which explained why she found herself buying several soft sweaters. One of them was even pale pink.
“Can we get back to Leah Anderson’s wedding?” she said in an attempt to move away from such a dangerous topic. “I spoke to her yesterday and she wants us to arrange the Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, so we need to brainstorm ideas.”
“Too late, it’s all done. We’re doing a picnic under the stars, complete with a band and fireworks. If I do say so myself, it’s going to be amazing.” Bec grinned before looking out the window. “Oh, and speak of the devil, Coop’s here.”
Pepper gulped as he walked in with the easy confidence of someone who belonged. The late fall weather followed him like a halo as he took his jacket off and smiled at them all, allowing her to take in every detail of his smooth jaw and the line of his chest underneath the thick button-up shirt.
“What are you doing here? I thought we were meeting at Blossom Lane Farm to take down the decorations in an hour,” Pepper said, sounding harsher than she meant to. It’s just she needed those sixty extra minutes. To help calm her nerves. To remind herself all the reasons not to look at Coop as anything other than her sister’s friend and fellow godparent. Who just happens to make me act like a schoolgirl when I’m around him.
“I had time on my hands so I went and did it. They’re in the trailer.” He shrugged as he sat down in the chair next to Bec and then raised an appreciative eyebrow in Pepper’s direction. “By the way, nice sweater. What’s the occasion?”
“Seriously, the pair of you are juvenile. I bought a sweater, I didn’t join a cult. It’s not a big deal.” Pepper growled, hoping it would cover her erratic breathing and her clammy palms. It was also proof why she shouldn’t make spontaneous purchases.
“I beg to differ. It’s a very big deal,” Coop said, a lavish smile spreading across his face.
“Ben Cooper. Stop flirting with her. If anything’s going to kill the truce that will be it. You know Pepper doesn’t like that kind of thing,” Bec scolded.
If only.
“Please, I’ll have you know that my flirting abilities are legendary,” Coop retorted just as Emmy walked into the room, holding a watering can filled with flowers. “Tell her, Emmy.”
“No way. Don’t get me involved in anything,” their middle sister protested as she put the watering can down. “But while I’ve got you both, we need to talk about dance classes. In light of what happened at the Larson wedding last week—they didn’t think it was necessary to have lessons and it ended with everyone on the floor paddling to the Hawaii-Five-Oh theme—I’ve booked us in for several sessions. The first is on Friday night so lock down your diaries. You, too. Coop.”
“Friday?” Bec’s face fell. “You’ll have to change it. Coop has his big party that night, which means his twinkle toes will be otherwise engaged.”
“What party?” Emmy looked up with interest and Pepper stiffened. Coop was a born socialite. And while Sunshine wasn’t the biggest town in the world, he’d always managed to find his fair share of parties.
And women.
The fact he was going to a party where he’d no doubt be surrounded by hot girls didn’t improve her mood. He probably had a date that he was going to seduce.
“Some black-tie thing. Coop’s going to expand his business,” Bec announced, her blue eyes beaming with pride. “And his potential investor wants him to go along and meet other members of the board. It’s all very Wall Street.”
“I’m pretty sure it’s nothing like Wall Street,” he said in a light voice as he thrust his hands into his pockets.
“Well, it’s more Wall Street than my doctor’s appointment. And speaking of which, I need to get moving.” Bec bounced to her feet in her regular fashion and walked to the door. “Em, are you still coming with me into town?”
“I sure am.” Emmy gathered up her purse and the to-do list that never left her side. “I’m meeting Christopher to look at cakes.”
“Okay, let me know how the doctor’s appointment goes,” Pepper said and then watched as Coop gave Bec a hug and told her to send Lincoln around to see him sometime because he had a new ale that needed testing. She’d seen her sister and Coop hug a thousand times and up until recently had no opinion at all. But now her mouth went dry and she turned away. Ideally it would be best if she just disappeared until Coop left, but she needed to help him unpack everything from last night’s party.
See, this is why I normally ignore him. So much safer.
“You okay?” Coop turned back to her as Emmy drove the pickup down the driveway and toward town.
“I’m fine.” Pepper reached for her coat and walked out to the trailer connected to the car. The sooner she unloaded it, the sooner she could put some distance between her and his disturbing presence. “We should get to work.”
“Sure. Or, we could talk about what happened last night.” He raised an eyebrow as a smile hovered around his mouth. He was clearly enjoying himself.
“We definitely shouldn’t,” Pepper assured him. “I don’t want to talk about it. Ever.”
“What? You’re saying you want to pretend it didn’t happen?” Coop said with interest as he lifted the first box out of the trailer.
“Absolutely.” She reached for her own box. It was heavy in her arms, which she found reassuring. Like it was grounding her. Stopping her from doing anything stupid. Like kissing him again.
“Okay, so when it happens again, it will be like the first time, since we’re not allowed to remember last night?” he teased and if Pepper wasn’t holding a box of glasses, she would’ve dropped them and walked away. She had to content herself with glaring at him. He laughed.
“You might find this highly amusing but I don’t.” She gritted her teeth. “What happened last night was a mistake. Can we please stop talking about it?”
“Relax, Pepper. If you’re worried I’m going to seduce you, then stop. I only seduce women who like me.”
Pepper paused as a flash of something crossed his face. Almost like he was hurt. But then it was gone.
“Good. I’m pleased we cleared that up.” she said while desperately searching for something else to say. Anything to get away from this conversation. “Tell me more about this party you’re going to. I didn’t realize you were looking to expand your business,” she said to cover her reaction to him.
“Oh,” he said, the amusement in his eyes fading. “I’ve been in talks with Morgan Breton.”
Morgan Breton?
Pepper’s spine straightened and the kissing was forgotten. Morgan Breton had a well-publicized friendship with one of the named partners of the biggest law firm in the country.
“I take it you know him?” Coop walked back toward her, closing the space between them. He put the box down and studied her face. Pepper winced. So much for having a poker face.
“Only by reputation. He’s friends with Carl Ritzman, of Ritzman and Unger.”
Coop rubbed his chin, his dark eyes never leaving hers. “One of the law firms you tried to interview for?”
“No. They’re based in Chicago, but after the last incident with Paul, I’m starting to think I only have two options. Sue him or move towns.” Her mouth went dry as the words formed. It was the first time she’d spoken her options out loud. Hell, she’d hardly allowed herself to even think about them. But, as Coop’s words floated into her mind, she knew it was time.
You might love Seattle but does it love you?
For so long her world had been based on moving back to where she was born. To where she’d been happy. But if Paul’s visit had proved anything, it’s that nothing was going to change unless she made it happen. And where would that leave her? Stuck in Sunshine working as a wedding planner.
“And I’m guessing Aaron Unger is the other named partner. What about Katrina Geust?” Coop studied his cell phone.
“She’s at Smith and Mackenzie, which is based in New York. Are you saying that they’re all going to be at the party?” Pepper caught her breath.
“According to this,” Coop said as he held out his cell phone. She had to step closer to inspect the screen, which resulted in her shoulder brushing his arm. Fireworks exploded in her chest, sending her adrenaline into overdrive. She steadied herself and read the screen. Morgan Breton’s annual Diamond and Tiara Ball is hoping to raise even more money for charity than in previous years, with well-known philanthropists all flocking to his New England estate. Names include…
Pepper’s eyes blurred at how many influential people would be there. If ever there was a sign she should extend her job search, this was it. It was like the mountain was coming to her. Pity it’s going to miss me by a few miles. She bit her lip and edged back from the cell phone and from Coop’s closeness.
“Well, you’re going to be in good company,” she said as she picked up the discarded box and hurried toward the barn, her breath causing a funnel of steam as she walked. “And if Morgan’s invited you along, he must be impressed with your business potential.”
“I guess. It’s just meant to be an informal way to meet some of his managers before we sit down and talk figures,” Coop said as he caught up with her and plucked the box out of her hand like it contained feathers not cut glass vases they’d filled with flowers. He put it down and then stood in front of her, as if expecting her to try and weave past him. “Could these people give you a job?”
Hell, yes.
“It’s hard to say. You know how these things work.” She tempered her breathing while reminding herself there would be other opportunities to speak to them. As soon as Paul called off his vendetta, she’d be able to set up her own meetings. She didn’t need to be jealous of Coop and the opportunity that had fallen into his lap.
“I have no idea how they work. I’ve always flown solo. A lot less networking,” he said. “But Pepper, if these people can help, you should come along.”
Really? That would be amazing. But bad. But so amazing.
“What?” Pepper stiffened. How was it that he kept being the key to getting her life back? And while it was tempting to say yes, she wasn’t sure the fallout would be worth it. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Really. Tell me. If anyone else offered you the chance, would you say yes?”
In a heartbeat.
“Coop, it’s not that simple.” She licked her lips and wished she could dredge up some of her famous reserve. “I don’t want you to think—”
“What? That if you go with me I’d expect you to owe me? Let’s just be clear on something. I’m not sure what games Paul played with you, but I’m not him.” His eyes flickered with emotion. “I think you should come along and see what happens. Not because of any kissing or manhandling. Just because I want to help you.”
Pepper shivered.
She wasn’t used to asking for help. Not from her sisters, not from Paul, and especially not from Ben Cooper. But this opportunity was just too good to pass up. One that the young Pepper would’ve jumped at.
“I’d love to go with you.” She dared to herself to look at him before something else occurred to her. “What are the chances that we can go without my sisters ever finding out?”
“About six million to none,” he assured her. “But if it’s any consolation, I’m sure they’ll eventually stop teasing us about it.”
Pepper gulped as she headed out of the barn to collect another box. Her sisters would probably forget but she wasn’t sure she would. And the fact that this was the second time he’d been there for her left an unsettling sensation in her stomach. Still, the ends justified the means. Something she’d do well to remember.
…
“You could’ve told me about Pepper, you know,” Bec said on Friday evening as she handed him a bow tie before sitting back on the bed and crossing her legs.
He would’ve preferred to get ready on his own, but Bec had cajoled him to going to the bed and breakfast she and Lincoln were currently renovating. It was under the pretense of wanting his advice about wallpaper but the reality was so she could continue giving him the third degree as he got ready.
Still, he didn’t mind. They’d been friends ever since she’d found him gutted after a particularly brutal trip to the hospital where Simon had his roughest night yet. She’d patted his arm, nodded her head, and told him it sucked. It sucked so bad there wasn’t even a word for it. Then she’d told him the one thing no one else ever had.
That Simon might die.
She hadn’t said it to hurt him—far from it—but more because she had no filter between her mind and her mouth and because she understood the odds. Her own parents were both dead from a car accident. Bad things happened to good people every day. It had a profound effect on him and he became an expert at making the most of things.
Because if Simon might die, if Bec’s parents could die, then it meant not a moment should be wasted.
“Told you what part?” He gave the bow tie a final tug and turned away from the mirror to face Bec and her mulish expression. She was hurt he’d kept a secret from her. He didn’t blame her. In his defense he’d never quite found the perfect way to say “Hey, Bestie. I’ve had a massive crush on your sister. Oh and my parents are about to go bankrupt.”
Yeah, I should probably work on it a bit more.
“All the parts,” Bec said as she helped him put in the cuff links he’d brought with him. “There, you look lovely.”
“I’m not sure lovely’s the look I’m going for.” Coop sat down next to her and tugged at the tuxedo. He hadn’t worn it since he’d attended a cancer fundraiser a couple of years ago. He seemed to recall he’d won a year’s worth of manicures in the silent auction as well as getting dumped by his girlfriend at the time who went to great pains to assure him that, “no, it really is you.” He just hoped it brought him better luck tonight. For his parents’ sake.
“Okay, you look handsome. I mean about my sister. If you were going to ask her to go with you to the party, why didn’t you just say?”
“Because you would’ve checked my temperature and then made several hundred jokes, probably at her expense and it would’ve ruined any chance I had,” Coop said and then laughed as he watched Bec open her mouth to deny it before shutting it again. It wasn’t the first time they’d had the conversation since she’d discovered Pepper was going to accompany him.
“Okay, I probably would’ve made a few jokes, but not because I don’t love her—or you. I just want to know what’s going on,” Bec said before she scrunched up her face. “You’re not going to tell me, are you?”
“Not so much.” He stood up and planted a quick kiss on her forehead. “A magician never reveals his tricks.”
He could hardly tell her what had happened with Paul, which is how their strange new relationship had started. If that’s what they could call it. He wasn’t even sure if there was a name for what was going on between them.
But whatever it is, I want to find out where it ends.
“Ah, so it was magic.” Bec got to her feet and followed him out of the spare bedroom of the bed and breakfast, which was filled with packing boxes and a large painting of a clown Lincoln had refused to keep. Coop couldn’t blame him. “I told Lincoln that’s what it must be.”
“And Lincoln told you to stop meddling in things that aren’t your affair,” a deep voice said and a tall guy stepped out into the hallway. Bec immediately let out a squeal and threw herself into his arms.
“You’re back. When did you get here?” she demanded after she kissed him thoroughly. Coop turned away. While he was happy Bec had found the man of her dreams, watching them make out wasn’t exactly his idea of a good time.
“About five seconds ago.” Lincoln carefully put Bec down, though his arm still trailed protectively over her shoulder. “How are you, Coop? I’ve been hearing all about this new finance deal. Sounds very promising, let me know if you need a hand.”
“Oh, good thinking. Then you could grill him about Pepper at the same time.” Bec smiled in approval.
“Sure. Or I could just help him with the finance deal,” Lincoln said as he gave Coop a slap on the arm. Coop grinned. He hadn’t been sure about the English guy his best friend had fallen for, but the more time he spent with him, the more he could see they were sickeningly perfect together.
“If the deal does go through, I’d definitely appreciate picking your brain,” Coop said, which earned them both a mock sigh from Bec.
“I’m starting to regret ever introducing the pair of you,” Bec complained. “Anyway, we need to go downstairs. They should be here any second.”
“Who’s they?” Coop blinked as they walked toward the staircase. “I pick up Pepper in ten minutes.”
“Change of plans. Emmy’s driving her here.”
“But—” Coop started to protest but cut himself off as the front door opened and Emmy stepped in, closely followed by Pepper. His mouth went slack. Pepper’s brown hair, which was normally pulled away from her face, was hanging in soft curls down her back, while her eyes were rimmed with dark liner and her lips were a soft berry color, absolutely perfect for kissing.
He caught his breath as his eyes trailed down to the dress.
Normally, Pepper hid the lines of her body in sensible business suits but there was nothing sensible about the dress she was wearing. It was cobalt blue and hugged her waist before caressing her hips and shimmering down to the floor, while the neckline was slashed leaving her chest to do shocking things to his imagination. Coop swallowed hard. She was as dazzling as the long diamond earrings hanging from her lobes and the tiara in her hair.
“Well, I’ll be.” Lincoln said from somewhere beside him.
“Pepper, you look so freaking hot.” Bec let out an excited yelp.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Pepper frowned, the only sign she’d even seen him was a slight tilt of her neck. His pulse hammered.
“Trying to get Pepper to take a compliment is like trying to teach Bec to stand still,” Emmy said as she held up her cell phone and waved Coop toward them. “Now, come on you two, I want a photograph.”
“Emmy, this isn’t prom,” Pepper complained as Coop reached her. “Like I’ve told you both, we’re just going as friends.”
“And I’d like to take a photo of you as friends.” Emmy gave them serene smile and Pepper clenched her fists. Coop would’ve laughed if it weren’t for the faint hint of her perfume caught in his nose, sending his pulse into overdrive. If he moved any closer to her, he might be tempted to do something stupid. Or amazing. Then again, if he didn’t step closer, both of her sisters would continue their teasing and Pepper would most likely murder someone.
I’m doing a pubic service.
“Okay, fine. One photo, but then we have to go,” Coop said, forcing himself to wink, like it was a joke. He plucked the coat from her hands and put it on the old reception desk, and put his arm around Pepper’s shoulder. She stiffened under his touch, which let him know nothing had changed.
If only my body would get the same message.
“Beautiful.” Bec joined them with her own cell phone held high. “And now—”
“And now it’s finished,” Pepper cut in with a business-like voice as she hitched the trail of her dress up and walked over to retrieve her coat. The desk was piled high with color charts, power tools, and a handwritten note telling all the contractors if there was any noise before ten in the morning Bec would personally kill them.
Coop reached for his own coat and held out his hand to Pepper. “Come on Cinderella, your carriage awaits.”
Pepper gave him a dark look but didn’t say anything as they headed out into the night on what potentially could make or break his chance to help his folks.