His Winter Rose

“I chose this side of the building specifically because of the natural woodlands next door. I don’t have to worry about neighbors building over my view, or at least I hope I won’t. The council hasn’t approved the zoning yet.”

“From here you can see across the entire store and down the marina.” Piper trailed one finger over the metal filing cabinets that bordered his office, but did not obstruct his view. “Smart man. Do you live upstairs?”

“Yes.” Why the sudden curiosity?

“It must be a dream to wake up to this view every morning.”

“You wake up to the same thing, don’t you?” He nodded toward the lake.

Her eyes widened in surprise. “Yes, I guess I do.” She chuckled. “I keep forgetting that I’m here for good. Which reminds me—do you know what’s happening up on Lookout Point? I went walking yesterday and noticed someone’s been doing some digging.”

“I have no idea. A telecommunications company has a tower near there, don’t they? Maybe it’s something to do with that. We’ve been begging them to install a higher tower to improve cell phone coverage.”

“Maybe that’s it.” The brown eyes sparkled with interest. “You’ve put a lot of thought into a variety of aspects of development.”

“Yes, I have.”

“Good. You can give me some ideas.” She rubbed her cheek with her thumb, then shrugged. “Seems a shame for land like Lookout Point to be used for something as mundane as a tower. It has spectacular cliffs and a view to die for. And some of the best wild strawberries you’ve ever tasted.”

“I haven’t been over there much. You’re staying nearby?”

“At Cathcart House. It was my grandparents’ and they left it to me. The land from Lookout Point once belonged to my Gran’s family.”

Jason hadn’t lived in Serenity Bay for two years without hearing some of the old-timers rave about the parties at Cathcart House. There was a private beach, private docks, an oversize boathouse and a gazebo for parties on the lawns.

Piper Langley came from money. He probably should have figured that out, given her chic clothes and perfectly styled hair. It made her presence here in the backwoods even more curious.

“The house is far too big for one person, but—” she shrugged “—I love it. Every room is full of memories.”

He envied her that strong sense of family identity. He’d never had it. Maybe that’s why he pushed so hard for Serenity Bay to be the kind of place families could be together.

Most of the time the land acquisition team he’d been part of at Expectations seemed a thousand miles away, part of the distant past. Then he’d remember Trevor and that horrible feeling of being duped and he was right back there. Once he’d almost been willing to sell his soul to buy a piece of Expectations—so deep went his need to be part of something important and fulfilling.

Jason blinked back to reality when Piper swung a briefcase onto his desk. He hadn’t even noticed her carrying it.

“I took the liberty of drafting up a few ideas for you to look over, Jason.” She took a quick look at him over one shoulder as if to check he was listening, then spread charts and graphs across his desk. “I’ve been talking to several corporate heads and put together a list of those who might be willing to chip in as sponsors for different events I’ve planned for the summer.”

The woman twigged his curiosity. According to her résumé, she’d had a great job in Calgary. Her boss had told him confidentially that when she’d resigned, she’d refused a substantial raise to stay, even given them rather short notice to come to Serenity Bay. Yet no one Jason contacted had said anything negative about her. Rather, they were very vocal with their praise of her skills.

Cathcart House couldn’t be the only thing drawing her back. She could have kept that as a summer place, visited during her vacations. Instead she’d made a permanent move from the city to the middle of nowhere.

Stop questioning your good luck, Franklin.

“As you can see, I’ve scheduled events throughout the summer and fall. That way we can maximize the exposure without running ourselves ragged.”

Jason hadn’t heard all of what she’d said, but what he had absorbed told him her plans were ambitious. And clearly thought out.

“Piper. Why are you here?”

She feigned composure, but Jason caught the slight tremor in her hand, the way her eyes flickered before she glanced down.

“I’m here to do a job, to help make Serenity Bay a desirable getaway for those who want a healthy, natural vacation.” She looked up, met his stare. “Isn’t that what you wanted?”

Her voice was quiet, relaxed. And yet something nagged at him.

“Yes, it’s what we want,” he admitted.

“Do you want me to leave?”

“Of course not. We’re delighted that someone with your qualifications is willing to take on the project.” He paused, unsure of exactly the right words that would voice his feelings.

“You have doubts about my ability.”

“Not really. It’s just…I can’t help speculating why you chose to return at this particular time. Your grandparents—?”

“They moved into a nursing home in Toronto about three years ago. They’ve since passed away.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Thanks.” Piper’s clear skin flushed. “If there’s a problem with my references—”

He shook his head. “No, there’s no problem.”

She frowned, lifted one palm. “Then—”

He was an idiot to question the best thing that had happened since he’d been elected mayor. Everything he’d learned said she was great at what she did. That should be enough.

“Forgive my question. I’ve been told I’m a little obsessed when it comes to our bay.” He smiled, hunkering down to peer at her work. “This looks very aggressive.”

Piper didn’t answer for several minutes, but when she did, a guarded note edged her voice in cool reserve.

“I thought that was the point. Didn’t you want to start showing the world what treasures you have here in cottage country?”

“Yes, of course. Could you explain the first step?”

“It will be a weekend extravaganza, to whet appetites so people will want to come back.”

Maybe Serenity Bay was her escape, too.

Jason nodded as if he’d understood. But he hadn’t. Especially about that winter festival. He’d been thinking about promoting the Bay as a summer resort town and now she was talking about year-round development.

“Is there anyone you might know who could offer me some input on current local activities?”

He thought a moment, then nodded.

“The artists’ guild is meeting this afternoon. They’re the primary draw for outsiders at the moment. We have quite a number of local artisans. Weavers, painters, potters, stained-glass artists. Several earn a living from their work but most of them have to go to the other towns to capitalize on the customers that flood in during the summer.”

“If we bring people in here, that will change. I can understand why they live here. The beauty stimulates your creative genes.”