Read Online His Winter Rose and Apple Blossom Bride by Lois Richer - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Lois Richer
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noticed.”
“Liar.” Laughing uproariously, Ida began filling the carafe with fresh water. “I saw the way your mouth was hanging open when she was cleaning your sweater. At church on Sunday when the pastor was talking about loving your neighbor, you kept sneaking looks at Piper. Never noticed, my foot!”
Jason sighed.
“Ida?”
“Yeah?”
“Get to work.” Irritated beyond measure, Jason walked back to his office and this time he closed the door to shut out that laugh. But it took him a long time to read through the first sheet of paper.
A very long time.
* * *
“I love it, Ash.” Piper leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. “It’s the most perfect job.”
“With the most perfect boss.”
“I’m not too sure about him,” Piper admitted, remembering their encounter this morning. “One minute he’s really friendly, the next he looks at me as if he suspects I’m going to walk out of here with the town payroll. It’s weird.”
“Especially after he took you to church and everything.” Laughter lay beneath Ash’s quiet voice.
“He didn’t take me. I went with him. He introduced me around. But, yes, he was friendly then. But this morning—” A knock on her door cut short her conversation. “I’ve got to go. I’ll call you later, okay?”
“Sorry. I didn’t realize you were on the phone.” Jason stood in the doorway.
Piper prayed he hadn’t overheard that crack about the payroll.
“Is this a bad time?”
“No. It’s perfect.” She motioned toward the chair. “Have a seat.”
“Thanks.” He sat, his attention riveted to something on the floor.
“Something special you wanted to see me about?” she prodded, wondering about his stern look.
“I got a call this afternoon. At the marina. It seems you were talking to one of my suppliers about sponsoring one of your events—some kind of cup, I think he called it.”
“The Vanity Cup is my working name for the project,” she explained. “Yes, I did make some calls. Is there a problem?”
“I don’t know.” He named a well-known boat manufacturer.
“Peter Evans. Yes, I called him. Is something wrong?”
“Not wrong, exactly.” He looked bemused, as if whatever he’d learned confused him.
To keep her hands still, Piper clasped them in her lap, waiting for the explanation. She couldn’t have blown it twice in one day—could she?
“He wants me to arrange for a display of his boats near the marina this summer. His cost. If we sell them, he’ll pay a hefty profit.” Jason frowned. “Whatever you said to him must have impressed him a lot. He’s never been willing to consign so much before.”
“I take it that’s a good thing?”
“Very good.”
“Then I’m happy. Now if we can just get him to commit to some sponsorship stuff, I’ll be even happier.”
“He said to tell you ‘yes,’ whatever that means.” He blinked when Piper let out a whoop of excitement.
“It means that I’ve got somewhere to start, a concrete commitment toward the boat and motor we’re going to offer as a grand prize for the Vanity Cup,” she explained. “It’s not difficult to bring others on board when someone’s already committed. Getting the rest of the prizes should be easy. I’ll need some money to get the publicity rolling. I’ve worked out some figures if you want to take a look. Also, I want to get some advertising prepared.”
A burst of excitement surged inside her. She’d prayed Serenity Bay was the right move for her and if this first success was any indication, God approved. Maybe He’d also help her stop Baron.
“Uh, yeah, I can take a look. But it’s after six. Don’t you want to get home now? You’ve been here for almost twelve hours.”
“Really?” She checked her small gold wristwatch. “So I have. I guess it can wait for tomorrow.”
At that precise moment, to her very great embarrassment, Piper’s stomach growled loudly.
“Sounds like you’re hungry.” He chuckled.
Her
“Liar.” Laughing uproariously, Ida began filling the carafe with fresh water. “I saw the way your mouth was hanging open when she was cleaning your sweater. At church on Sunday when the pastor was talking about loving your neighbor, you kept sneaking looks at Piper. Never noticed, my foot!”
Jason sighed.
“Ida?”
“Yeah?”
“Get to work.” Irritated beyond measure, Jason walked back to his office and this time he closed the door to shut out that laugh. But it took him a long time to read through the first sheet of paper.
A very long time.
* * *
“I love it, Ash.” Piper leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. “It’s the most perfect job.”
“With the most perfect boss.”
“I’m not too sure about him,” Piper admitted, remembering their encounter this morning. “One minute he’s really friendly, the next he looks at me as if he suspects I’m going to walk out of here with the town payroll. It’s weird.”
“Especially after he took you to church and everything.” Laughter lay beneath Ash’s quiet voice.
“He didn’t take me. I went with him. He introduced me around. But, yes, he was friendly then. But this morning—” A knock on her door cut short her conversation. “I’ve got to go. I’ll call you later, okay?”
“Sorry. I didn’t realize you were on the phone.” Jason stood in the doorway.
Piper prayed he hadn’t overheard that crack about the payroll.
“Is this a bad time?”
“No. It’s perfect.” She motioned toward the chair. “Have a seat.”
“Thanks.” He sat, his attention riveted to something on the floor.
“Something special you wanted to see me about?” she prodded, wondering about his stern look.
“I got a call this afternoon. At the marina. It seems you were talking to one of my suppliers about sponsoring one of your events—some kind of cup, I think he called it.”
“The Vanity Cup is my working name for the project,” she explained. “Yes, I did make some calls. Is there a problem?”
“I don’t know.” He named a well-known boat manufacturer.
“Peter Evans. Yes, I called him. Is something wrong?”
“Not wrong, exactly.” He looked bemused, as if whatever he’d learned confused him.
To keep her hands still, Piper clasped them in her lap, waiting for the explanation. She couldn’t have blown it twice in one day—could she?
“He wants me to arrange for a display of his boats near the marina this summer. His cost. If we sell them, he’ll pay a hefty profit.” Jason frowned. “Whatever you said to him must have impressed him a lot. He’s never been willing to consign so much before.”
“I take it that’s a good thing?”
“Very good.”
“Then I’m happy. Now if we can just get him to commit to some sponsorship stuff, I’ll be even happier.”
“He said to tell you ‘yes,’ whatever that means.” He blinked when Piper let out a whoop of excitement.
“It means that I’ve got somewhere to start, a concrete commitment toward the boat and motor we’re going to offer as a grand prize for the Vanity Cup,” she explained. “It’s not difficult to bring others on board when someone’s already committed. Getting the rest of the prizes should be easy. I’ll need some money to get the publicity rolling. I’ve worked out some figures if you want to take a look. Also, I want to get some advertising prepared.”
A burst of excitement surged inside her. She’d prayed Serenity Bay was the right move for her and if this first success was any indication, God approved. Maybe He’d also help her stop Baron.
“Uh, yeah, I can take a look. But it’s after six. Don’t you want to get home now? You’ve been here for almost twelve hours.”
“Really?” She checked her small gold wristwatch. “So I have. I guess it can wait for tomorrow.”
At that precise moment, to her very great embarrassment, Piper’s stomach growled loudly.
“Sounds like you’re hungry.” He chuckled.
Her
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