Read Online His Winter Rose and Apple Blossom Bride by Lois Richer - Free Book Online

grated, watching as she dabbed then blotted the mark, her head tilted to concentrate on the task at hand.
    “Cold works better.” She kept up the routine until most of the color had been absorbed by her paper. “Just a little bit more,” she said. “Stay here.”
    She disappeared into the ladies’ room again before he could argue that it didn’t matter. Seconds later she was back and the routine began again.
    The dark curls of her hair bobbled and danced in the light from above. A tiny pleat marred the perfection of her forehead, her eyebrows drawn together in serious concentration as she assessed her work.
    “I think that’s the best I can do,” she murmured, tipping her head back to look at him.
    Jason got caught in her fragrance, a soft, light scent that brought to mind warm summer nights when you could smell roses bursting with beauty.
    “Excuse me!”
    Jason jerked back to reality, grimacing. Ida.
    “I think your shirt’s all right now.” Piper acted as if she hadn’t even noticed Ida’s appearance.
    Jason knew he should have warned her about the woman’s tendency to gossip. He loved her dearly but Ida took great pleasure in being the first to know anything. And to share it with everyone.
    “I spilled coffee on my sweater. Piper insisted on cleaning it up.”
    Piper winked at him then turned to face Ida.
    “Actually, he’s being gallant. I came rushing out of my office and forgot to check for cross-traffic. Not a very good way to impress the boss, is it?”
    “If it was that dishwater he usually makes, it wouldn’t have stained anything.” Ida examined Piper’s cream sweater and slacks admiringly. “You’re an early bird, too?” she asked.
    “Not really. I’m half-asleep most mornings. But there was so much I wanted to do today—” she smiled “—I couldn’t sleep for ideas that kept bubbling up.”
    “Looks like they hired the right woman for the job then. We could use some new ideas around here.” Ida undid her jacket. “About time I got to work, too,” she said. “Otherwise somebody will want to dock my pay.” She cackled then walked away.
    “Sorry,” Piper apologized. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
    “I’m used to it. That’s Ida’s favorite pastime.” He grinned to show there was no ill will. “What are you working on this morning?”
    “Sponsors for the fish derby. So far I’ve got three.”
    “Anyone I know?”
    “Could be.” She turned toward the staff area where the coffee machine was. “I think I’ll get a cup of that. Want me to pour you a fresh one?”
    He handed over his mug, trailed behind her wondering why Piper hadn’t told him who the sponsors were. Was it a secret?
    “Just in time,” she mused as Ida picked up the pot. “If you’re going to dump it out I’ll have some first.”
    Ida poured both cups, made a face at the liquid. “Not a bit of body,” she grumbled and tossed the remainder down the sink.
    “Ida, could you get me a list of the dates for town council meetings?”
    “Why do you need that?” Jason asked, accepting his mug.
    Piper’s surprise was obvious.
    “I’ll need approval from them, won’t I? I mean, I can’t just go ahead and put my ideas into action without some communication. We’ll want to work together to make sure everyone is on the same page.”
    He felt like an idiot. Of course she would attend council meetings. He was getting paranoid. But that seed of distrust from the past still lay rooted inside, warning him not to be tricked again.
    “Yes, of course. I wasn’t thinking clearly,” he told her. “Lack of coffee.”
    “My fault.” She grinned, excused herself and went back into her office.
    “Why are you acting so suspicious?” Ida scolded him. “The girl’s trying to do her job, that’s all.”
    “I’m not acting anything.”
    “Yeah, you are.” Ida’s gaze narrowed. “You’re going to have to get used to working with her. It shouldn’t be too hard. She’s pretty.”
    “I never