Chapter 7
Seven
Peter
“We’re most likely closing early today.”
I drop the log in my hand at the sound of Piper’s voice. She has always managed to scare the hell out of me without meaning to. It’s one of her superpowers. Though, I guess she had to develop something as the baby of the family when we didn’t immediately include her in things.
“Why?” Bending over, I pick up the log and move it to the stack next to the fireplace.
One day I need to talk Pierce into converting this to gas.
It has to be easier to manage than having to get firewood.
We only ever use it during the winter. The sad thing is it’s not even to provide warmth.
Piper said it adds to the cozy atmosphere when people come in for tastings.
For that we can play crackling fire on the TV without heating up the whole house.
She sits on one of the sofa’s close to the fireplace. “I’m not sure. Pierce said something about a Winter storm. The roads are supposed to get bad.”
“None of us even travel down the roads.” We all live on Starlit Fields property. Our parents gave each of us our own lots to build a house. “Closing early is kind of pointless.”
She scoffs. “I thought you were going to stop working so much and focus on yourself. Or was that resolution a complete lie to get me off your back?”
“It wasn’t a lie, but there’s nothing for me to do at home besides watch TV and play games.
” And think about Callie, but I’m not telling my sister that bit of information.
She’ll be as bad as Eric trying to play matchmaker.
Except I haven’t been able to get her off my mind since I helped unpack her boxes.
It felt like she was purposely pushing me away.
“What about Miles? I’m sure he might want to hang out.”
“If there really is a storm coming, he won’t be able to leave the ranch. Plus, it’s on the other side of town. Do you really want him risking his life to amuse me?”
Now she’s outright laughing. Did I just hear her slap her knee?
“Please. I guess I need to remind you of all the dumb shit the two of you used to do when you were younger.”
Oh God. She would bring up stuff from my past to rub it in my face. “Absolutely not.” I finish arranging the wood and sit down next to her. “What are you going to do if we end up closing?”
Piper shrugs. “I don’t know. Probably watch romcoms with Beau. Play card games. You know, the usual storm activities.”
“Mind if I crash?”
“Absolutely not. The more the merrier.” She pauses for a second. “Except Pierce. We do not need his grumpy, bossy ass to make us miserable. We deal with that enough here.”
Here we go again. He’s not my favorite person either, but maybe it’s because some of us purposefully shut him out. “He’s not all that bad.”
“Uh uh.” She wags her finger in front of my face. “We are not going down the road where you defend Pierce like a good little lap dog. You’re done with that, remember?”
“How is listening to you tell me what to do any different?”
I’m not like the rest of the siblings, I don’t have a favorite.
Well, not anymore. Pierce used to be that to me.
I looked up to him. Did everything I could to impress him and try to earn his respect.
Where did that get me? Nowhere. The secrets he kept last year about Mom and Dad were too much.
Their retirement shouldn’t have been a secret from any of us.
Then the crap he pulled on Piper was the last straw.
While I don’t loathe him as much as the rest of my brothers and sisters do, the whole ordeal was eye opening to say the least.
“I guess it’s not.” She crosses her arms over her chest the same way she did when we were kids. “Fine, if you want to invite him, do it. But don’t get mad if I’m frosty toward him.”
Without missing a beat she busts out laughing.
“What’s so funny?”
“Get it? Frosty? We’re getting a winter storm. I swear that wasn’t on purpose.”
Shaking my head, I stand up. If we really are closing early, there are some things I need to finish up. “Sorry to tell ya, little sister, but if you have to explain the joke…it’s not that funny.”
She lifts a pillow and aims it toward me before thinking better of it. She sets it back down and scowls at me. “You better be glad there are multiple breakable things in this room. Otherwise, I would have taken you out.”
“If you’re feeling froggy.” I chuckle, but pick up my pace to leave the building the second she starts to stand.
The air does seem colder as I step outside. At least a few degrees from when I brought in the firewood. Maybe Piper’s right and we really are getting a winter storm. It’s not unusual for our area, but it’s not my favorite.
I pull out my phone to check the weather as I make my way to the building where we bottle the wine. Sure enough, a big red banner pops up over our area. Maybe Piper is right. I know our big brother doesn’t like to chance people getting out in horrible conditions if they don’t have to.
Well, the plus side is folks will have already chilled bottles of wine. Especially if the power doesn’t hold up during this storm. I don’t have much faith since we lost power in the Fall from a thunderstorm.
I get the workstations clear off. There’s no use in them being a mess when we come back to work tomorrow.
Though, if it gets as bad as my brother seems to think it is, we may be off for a couple of days.
If there’s one thing we hate, it’s driving on ice.
That seems to be all we get in our area when it’s cold.
It’d be nice if we got actual snow for once.
What am I even thinking? I hate the cold.
Not that it’s all bad. It would provide the perfect cuddling weather.
That is, if I had someone to cuddle with.
But I don’t. Dates are hit and miss for me.
Mostly because of my brother. If he needs me to do anything I typically cancel my plans and take care of what he’s asked.
Piper is definitely right. I need to stop bending to his will. He’s capable of doing half the crap I do. The only reason he doesn’t is because he knows I’ll handle it.
From now on I’m putting my foot down. Unless it’s something that directly relates to my job, Pierce can handle it himself.
Or, pass it off to one of the other siblings, which is what he will likely do.
I need to start living for once, and stop calling off dates because of some small shit apparently only I can take care of.
I’m leaning into the resolution Piper gave me.
If I don’t, I’ll be miserable. The last thing I want is to grow old with nobody to share my life with, or have any regrets.
“Wrap up with whatever you’re doing. We’re closing in a hour.” Speak of the devil.
“Okay. I’m just cleaning up a bit.” I don’t know why I feel the need to explain what I’m doing when he can clearly see.
“I’ll be staying here through the storm just in case anything goes wrong. We don’t need another roof debacle like the one last year.” Pierce pins me down with a stare. “You’re more than welcome to stay.”
The way he says that rubs me the wrong way. It’s like a gentle command. A part of me wants to agree to it in order to please my big brother, but no. I can’t do that. I told Piper I was going to do what I want for me. Besides, I’m sure I’d have way more fun at her house before I head home.
“Actually, I think I’m going to head home.”
My refusal takes him by surprise, and he shakes his head in confusion. “If you change your mind I’m here. Don’t forget to have your generator ready in case the power goes out.”
The urge to say yes, Dad bubbles up, but I don’t. The last thing I want to do is get an argument with him. “I always have it ready. The weather is too unpredictable.”
“Good.” He turns back toward the door. “I’ll let everyone else know. Don’t worry about staying the full hour. You can head out whenever you’re done.”
I love my brother, I do. But he doesn’t have to sound so gruff when he gives information. Maybe one day he’ll realize that a lot of the time it’s not what he says to us that makes us frustrated with him, but how he says it. The tone makes all the difference.
I finish putting away the empty bottles and wiping down countertops. Another quick glance around the room, and I can finally go home. Well, go to the house before I head over to Piper’s. As much as I would like to invite the other siblings, it’ll be loud and I’d just rather not.
“You headed straight to my house?” Piper is standing outside the packing building when I open the door.
“Do you have a sixth sense about where I’m at?”
“Nope.” She shakes her head and glances around to make sure she wasn’t overheard. “This is usually where you come to tidy up when you don’t want to be bothered by anyone else. It’s like organizing is your super power.”
“It’s really not.” I lock the door before closing it behind me. “But, I’m gonna head home first. I was planning on making deer chili tonight for dinner. I’ll bring all the ingredients over to your house and make it there.”
“Sounds like a plan.” She grins as she walks next to me the main house, and follows me into office. “Your chili is the best. But, if you plan on taking any home, you may want to bring some storage bowls. Oh, and probably the things you need to cook it.”
I roll my eyes. “One of these days you’ll have to buy grown up things for your house, little sister. Maybe that’s what I’ll get you for the next holiday.”
“God no.” I wish I had a camera to capture the horror on her face right now. “Why would you get me a boring gift? You know damn well I don’t cook.”
“Ah, to be young again.” I laugh. “You better watch yourself. One day you’ll be excited about getting appliances and a new kitchenware.”
“I hope not.” She turns off the computer, grabs her bag, and has her hand on the light switch. “Now, go home, get all the things, and come to the house. I already know the first game we’re playing.”
Deep in my gut I know she’s thinking of one I hate. She likes to annoy the hell out of me like that. I’m actually not big on any kind of games because so many of my siblings’ cheat and don’t follow the rules. We’ve gotten into actual fights over it. The life of six kids is never boring.
“I’ll be over there as soon as I get the stuff. Please don’t make me walk into anything embarrassing.”
“The fact you even think I would risk it is hilarious. The last thing I want my brother to see is me having sex.”
I throw my hands over my ears as she turns off the light. “Please never mutter the word sex in relation to you ever again.”
She laughs all the way to the front door and walks out. I swear my sister knows exactly how to get under my skin. Going over there tonight will either be a great idea or a bad one. I guess I’ll find out soon.