A Moment on the Lips (A Whistle Stop Romance, #3) (6 page)

“Of course I heard you, Mom.” He lied, trying to save face. “I don’t see how this will work. I already have my hands full renovating the coffee shop. I don’t have time to rebuild the town square, too.”

“That’s the thing, dear, you wouldn’t be doing the actual work. You’d be organizing the fundraising part. You’d just have to come to the town meeting tomorrow night.”

“I’ll be working,” he insisted.

Mrs. Sanchez stepped closer and lowered her voice. “The thing is, returning home isn’t necessarily easy. This could be your way to make inroads with a great many of Whistle Stop’s residents. That’s always good for business. And I want to see you succeed.”

He wasn’t stupid. He knew what she meant. People weren’t happy about the way he’d sold off the ranch, his father’s legacy. He’d been expected to return home and run it. But that was never an option in his mind. And he refused to explain his reasons to anyone. It was no one’s business.

His mother’s gaze darted around, avoiding him. She was the only one who knew why running that ranch would never have happened. But just like when his father was alive, she didn’t say a word. As though, if she didn’t get involved, didn’t speak up for Joe, none of it would touch her. The knowledge that his mother still wouldn’t speak up for him cut deep. But his father had found a way to make sure every problem touched her, including the back of his hand.

A knot in Joe’s gut tightened. The unwanted memories filtered through his mind. Like ghosts, they slipped through his grasp, tormenting him.

Mrs. Sanchez patted his shoulder, regaining his attention. “So what do you say? It’s in your best interest.”

He didn’t like being pushed into things, even if the woman was right, which he wasn’t willing to admit just yet. “I don’t know.”

“Piper will be there.”

Mrs. Sanchez beamed at him, all too eager to play matchmaker. But she’d made one miscalculation. The knowledge that Piper would be in attendance succeeded only in making him even more determined not to go. He didn’t want anyone to get the idea he was interested in her, or any other woman. Not again. He was done with romance and commitment.

He shook his head. “I need to work.”

“But you must go. You’ll regret it if you don’t.” Mrs. Sanchez’s lips pressed into a firm line.

He glanced to his mother for support, but her gaze was lowered. Why didn’t anyone comprehend that all he wanted was to be left alone to start his business?

“You don’t understand,” he said, giving one last attempt to plead his case. “I already have contracts in place to have supplies delivered in the middle of next month. I have flyers printed up announcing the grand opening. If this renovation falls behind, it’ll be a disaster.”

Mrs. Sanchez waved away his worries. “All we’re asking for is a couple of hours of your time.”

He knew it wouldn’t end there. They wouldn’t give up until he did what they wanted. He’d never headed up a committee before, but he had no doubt it would be a big time suck. And something told him making inroads with the residents of Whistle Stop wouldn’t be as easy as Mrs. Sanchez was letting on. People in this town had long memories. The thing was, they didn’t know the whole story about why he left town with plans to never look back.

“You know,” Mrs. Sanchez said, “this is a small town. People help people. You do want to fit back in, don’t you?”

His gaze moved to his mother, who fidgeted with her purse strap. It broke his heart to see her a bundle of nerves and afraid of her own shadow. For her sake, he needed to fit in. She needed him, even if she was unable to say the words.

He sighed, taking a moment to digest everything. There was no way he was going to sway these women into seeing this his way. And what was worse, he was starting to see things from their perspective. During his time away, he’d forgotten just how tight-knit this community was. He’d already messed up when it came to Piper. He didn’t need any more mistakes, or he might as well not even bother opening his doors.

He remembered how, after his father’s death, his mother had started to get out and about. She had even headed up a bake sale to send care packages to the community’s military men and women serving overseas. He’d heard that most everyone in town had taken part, and they respected his mother’s efforts. Was that the same case here? Would people sit up and notice his efforts to fit back in?

He didn’t know for sure, but he was certain that if he didn’t do this, Mrs. Sanchez would make sure everyone knew he’d refused to help the community. He would still be looked upon as the troubled kid who was only looking out for number one. He couldn’t let that happen. It’d lead to the ultimate failure of his business, and his future would collapse—he’d lose every last cent.

And if he went to the meeting, he might bump into Piper. Maybe the town square revitalization project could bridge some peace between them. The thought eased his hesitancy. The image of her smiling face filled his mind. Perhaps something good could come of this.

“Okay, you’ve got yourselves a committee chairperson.”

W
hy had she let her mother talk her into this?

Piper strolled across town, along with a large portion of the population. Their destination was the monthly meeting at the town hall. The important topic tonight was the fundraising project to benefit the town square and the train depot. Despite the town’s best efforts, their prior attempt had been thwarted by a wildfire. But not this time. There were too many determined residents—including Piper, who missed the beauty and community atmosphere the town square had provided Whistle Stop.

“You came!”

Piper glanced past the array of pickups in colors from black to yellow until her gaze came to rest on her mother, who was rushing across the street. “Mom, I told you I would.”

When her mother stopped on the sidewalk, she smoothed a hand down over her three-quarter-length skirt. The white background with large red flowers and deep green leaves was cheery and pretty on her mother, who preferred bold colors. “I know you did, dear, but I know these meetings aren’t your favorite.”

Piper lowered her voice. “You have to admit that Mayor Ortiz does go on and on. I think sometimes he just likes the sound of his own voice—”

“Piper, hush.” Her mother glanced around to make sure she hadn’t been overheard. “You just don’t understand how these things work.”

“You mean repetitive and belabored?”

Her mother glared at her like she was five years old and had been caught stealing a still-warm-from-the oven cookie that was to be sent to her brother at college in one of his numerous care packages.

As a couple of people passed by and said hello, Piper watched as her mother turned all smiles and sunshine. Talk about an abrupt change in attitude. Her mother was all about appearances and sweeping any ugly truths under the rug.

When her mother turned back to her, the smile vanished. “Do you know what you’re going to say tonight?”

“Say?” She didn’t know she’d be required to say anything at the meeting.

“Yes, you know, a few words about the honor of chairing the fundraising committee.”

“You want me to give a thank-you speech?”

Her mother’s eyes lit up as she nodded. “You must. And you can tell the folks what ideas you have in mind for the festival that’ll help raise the money for the revitalization. You’ve always been so creative.”

Her mother thought she was creative? Really? The compliment helped soothe Piper’s irritation. “But I don’t have any plans. I don’t even know if they’ll want me in charge of this project.”

“Sure, they will. You’re smart and organized. If you can successfully run your own business, you can chair this committee.”

“I...I’ll come up with something to say.” Piper was stunned by her mother’s string of compliments.

Before Piper could gather her thoughts, her mother rushed off to meet up with some of her friends. Had her mother really called her smart and organized? A smile tugged at Piper’s lips.

Her mother did have her warm and generous moments. And though they were more fleeting than Piper would like, she ended up appreciating them all the more. She may not have been able to expand her business at the moment, but heading up this festival-planning committee was turning out to be a definite Plan B.

The line to get into the town hall was impressive. Not that long ago, only a couple dozen people attended the meetings. But ever since Alexis Greer had gotten the ball rolling with talk of revitalizing the town and by garnering the railroad’s interest in transporting tourists to their town, attendance at the meetings had filled the town hall to the point of being standing room only. It was good to see all of the interest in their town. One person could do only so much, but a multitude could breathe new life back into Whistle Stop.

Piper slid into one of the last vacant seats. She ran a hand over her hair, not used to wearing it loose. For tonight’s meeting, she’d felt a need to be a little different. So she’d dispensed with her braid and added a touch of makeup. After all, she usually just sat quietly at these get-togethers and listened to all of the happenings around town.

But not tonight.

At her mother’s prompting, she was going to step up and really get involved in the community. It would be a new role for her. She knew from past events that people were hesitant to step forward and assume responsibility for these projects. But not this evening. Though she’d been reluctant to admit it to her mother, she did have some ideas about how to raise the necessary money, and she was excited to get officially started.

After all, with her plans to extend her bakery dashed by her stubborn and sexy—in equal parts—neighbor, this was her chance to show this town and her mother that she may not be model pretty, but there was a lot more to her than looks. And she was determined no one would get in her way of putting her mark on the town. This festival would be unforgettable.

Piper glanced around to find her mother hobnobbing with a group of councilmen including Mayor Ortiz, Mr. Greer, Alexis’s father and Dr. Baxter, her mother’s new dream man.

Cancer had claimed the life of Piper’s father more than two years ago, and now her mother had moved past her grieving and launched a manhunt. The thought of her mother batting her eyes and flirting, trying to lasso the widower Baxter, was more than Piper could stomach.

The man was a retired doctor with enough clout to satisfy her mother. If that’s what it took to make her mother happy, so be it, but Piper didn’t have to be a part of it. It just didn’t feel right. It was too soon, but then again, she didn’t know if it would ever be long enough to let go of the memories of the family she’d always known.

“Is this seat taken?” a familiar voice asked.

Piper glanced up, finding her younger sister, Katie. A smile pulled at Piper’s lips. They barely saw each other since Katie had moved to Albuquerque almost two years ago.

“Hey,” Piper said. “What are you doing here?”

“If you let me sit down, I might tell you.”

Realizing she’d set her purse on the chair to her right in case her mother wanted to join her, Piper moved it to the floor. “Definitely. Have a seat and tell me what prompted this unexpected visit.”

Katie shrugged. “Can’t a sister show up just because...”

“You rarely come back to Whistle Stop now that you’ve moved to the big city. What’s the matter? Are you getting lonely? Did you run out of guys to date?” she teased, knowing her little sister was a ten-plus in the looks department.

Katie gave her a dark glare. “It’s hard to get away. But I had a little free time, and Mom mentioned you’re going to volunteer to spearhead the fundraising committee. So I decided to come check it out.”

Piper studied her sister. “Are you okay? You look a little tired.”

Katie stared at the floor, her face drawn, as if she were in deep deliberation. “I’m fine. It’s just...”

Alarm had her turning in her chair. “What is it?”

“Relax. It’s nothing that serious.” A pause ensued before Katie continued. “The landlord isn’t renewing my lease for KT’s Chocolates.”

“Oh, honey, that’s terrible. Is there anything you can do about it?”

She shook her head. “He’s selling it to a development company. I don’t know what I’m going to do now.”

Piper squeezed her sister’s hand. “I know. Move back here to Whistle Stop. We have plenty of vacancies. And the town council is working to bring business back to the area, so the town is starting to grow.”

Katie frowned. “You make it sound so easy—”

“It is. I’ll help you. And I’m sure Mason will do whatever he can to help—”

“There are things you don’t know. Things that will—”

“If it’s Mom, I’ll handle her. She can definitely be a bit much at times. But now that Mason is engaged, Mom will be thoroughly distracted with wedding plans.” And Piper really missed having her sister around. Sure, she had the Bachelorettes, and they were awesome, but her sister understood her on a totally different level.

“I don’t know. It’d be a big step—”

“Will you at least think about it?”

Katie paused and then nodded. “But I’ll definitely come back for Autumn Fest if you’re in charge.”

Before Piper could continue their conversation, Mayor Ortiz hammered his gavel and brought the meeting to order. She stared up at the podium as the mayor welcomed everyone to the meeting. He looked so much like his son, David, her ex fiancé. Thankfully they didn’t act the same. Whereas David was all about airs and entitlement, his father was more laid back—some might say too laid back when it came to the welfare of Whistle Stop.

At last, Mayor Ortiz announced that it was time for new business and mentioned the revitalization project. “This is very important to every citizen of Whistle Stop. The town square is in shameful disrepair, and it’s going to take all of us to bring the place back to its former glory and vitality. We were hoping to have it completed by now, as well as restoring the train station, but the wildfire on Roca Mountain delayed things...”

As the mayor droned on, as he normally did, enjoying his time in the spotlight, Piper’s anticipation grew. She glanced over to where her mother was now seated next to Dr. Baxter. If her mother had her way, they’d soon be saying I do. Her mother glanced over with a big, bright smile. Piper wondered if her mother’s happiness was about her heading up this committee, or had Dr. Baxter been more receptive than normal to her mother’s flirting?