13. Pepper
We don’t talk much on the drive back. But Chase doesn’t seem disappointed being caught off guard. He seems… silently impressed.
And I’m—a mess.
Because I kissed myself into a giant blur. His soft lips. The fiery gaze sizzling into my soul when he pulled off the scarf. The tingles and flutters I felt earlier only amplified.
I need to get a grip.
I need control.
I won’t be owned by anyone.
Putting Chase out of my mind for the time being, I text my new friend and invite her over for homemade pizza and wine.
Pepper:Wine and homemade pizza tastes better with friends.
Charlie:You had me at wine. I’ll be over in thirty.
I move the boxes I’d packed today aside to tidy up the place. So far, I’ve filled bags with Elliot’s t-shirts and pants in good condition for donating. And prepared a box of his barely-worn suits to drop off at the church.
I managed to fill one box of his personal things this evening. Clothes were easy. They don’t require much thinking. But collectibles, loose little trinkets, and other items that hold meaning beyond my knowledge is going to be the hardest part of this cleanout.
I thought it would be easier.
But as I rummaged through drawers and cabinets, gathering items to determine their value to the Reeves family, my throat started to clog with emotion—and it’s not supposed to do that.
Not for someone I never really knew.
As I wait for Charlie, I pour myself a glass of wine and move back to the last box I filled. The one I’m not sure I should tape up yet. I twist the heavy black leather keepsake box and open it again. Once more, I flip through cased NHL cards of Elliot’s favorite player. Several of them all ranging from his rookie year to last year. I smooth out the signed jersey I folded earlier, my heart tugging. Then I lift the beat-up puck with faint scribble and stickers on it again to see if I can make it out. The barely-there signature looks nothing like Chase’s other signed stuff, and I wonder if it’s someone else’s.
Closing it again, I top that box with another small one containing things like collector lighters, school rings, and yearbook photographs.
Before closing the box, I reposition a book that doesn’t seem to fit right. Something falls loose from between the pages and I lift it. It’s a photo of Elliot and Mr. Reeves. They’re at Hideaway Lake in what looks like the summertime. Elliot is younger. Probably early teens, wearing a sunhat that appears too big for him and makes him look a little goofy. But judging by the smile and the relatively large fish he’s holding, he doesn’t seem to care.
Reconsidering, I pull it out and set that one aside for now. I know just who to pass that one onto.
I’m prepping ingredients in the kitchen when the doorbell rings. Grabbing a dish rag, I head to the front door and take a glimpse through the peephole before opening. “Hey!”
“Hey!” Charlie beams right back. “Love the look.” She points to my hair and marches in. “Sorry I’m late—had to feed the cat, then shower, then meal prep for the week.”
I shut the door behind her. “You meal prep?”
“What? No, I don’t.”
“Aww. That’s cute.”
She growls and walks to the kitchen. “I was told there’d be wine.”
“And pizza and toppings and yes, plenty of wine.”
She pulls open the fridge. “You went shopping.”
“I picked up a few things after Chase left. I’ve had five hours to myself. And I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but there’s nothing but an empty farm behind this house. If I don’t stay busy, I’m going to start having horror movie thoughts.”
“Oh, it’s not empty. That’s Levi’s ranch.”
“Levi’s ranch? Ooh, does he walk around in a cowboy hat?”
Charlie laughs. “Only to humor his brothers, who make fun of him for it.”
I peek out the window. “Maybe I’ll see him riding his horses.”
“Not likely. He only rides one and not often. Peanut’s old.”
I turn back to our pizza toppings. “So what do you do? Like for work? Do you have to be up early or something? I realized I called you over here on a Tuesday night without thinking.”
She runs her fingers along the counter. “I’d rather not say.”
“Why not? Oh my God, are you an exotic dancer? No. Escort?” She shakes her head. “Sell meth? What?”
“I’m…I work at the library.”
I press my lips together and she grunts. “I knew you’d laugh.”
“I’m not laughing. I was just going to say…you’d probably make more money selling meth.”
“It doesn’t pay well and it’s not glamorous but it’s the only thing I can do.”
“Why’s that?”
She hesitates, focusing on the olives she’s spreading evenly over her pizza. “My mother is sick. She’s been sick for the last few years so…I stayed in town to be close to her. Take care of her.”
“What does she—”
“Lung cancer. They keep giving her six months—for the last three years.”
“Oh. I’m so sorry.”
She shrugs like it’s old news. “Anyway, there aren’t that many jobs in Hideaway Springs. Small businesses here are mostly family run. But I also like the library. It’s the biggest building in town. I have my own office. And…I’m close to home for when she needs me.”
“That’s not fair to you.”
“It’s cool. Besides, commuting would cost more than it’s worth.”
I watch her for a minute when it feels like there’s more on her mind than she’s sharing. When she doesn’t take the bait, I give her a nudge. “What about dating?”
She scoffs. “I don’t have the energy or the time. I need to focus on myself and my mother. And it’s better off, I’m too busy.”
“Is that really it?”
Throwing on a smile that I swear looks genuine, she says, “I don’t have the best reputation around here.”
My heart goes out to her. I want to tell her how unfair it all is. But I don’t get the chance because Charlie clearly wants the subject dropped.
Skipping over to the oven, she lowers the door. “Are we ready to bake?”
I take her cue to drop it and smile back. “Let’s do it.” I place mine next to hers and reach for another glass to pour for my new best friend.
It’s almost eleven, and I’m curled up on the sofa trying not to watch the news. But I also don’t want to watch romance or comedy, so I settle on football. So long as there’s something in the background.
I forgot how quiet this town is.
Especially at night.
There’s a knock on the door—it’s not aggressive in any way, but still makes me jump. I pop my head up from the couch and see a male figure through the side window. I can’t see his face, but pretty sure whoever it is, is wearing a cowboy hat.
I approach the door tentatively and hear a deep familiar voice on the other side. “Pepper, it’s Levi.”
I breathe a sigh of relief and pull it open. “Howdy, neighbor.”
He chuckles and takes off his hat, stepping in.
I close the door behind him. “What brings you by?”
He gives the place a once over, then turns to me. “Giving you a heads up that your engagement party is this Friday.”
“My engagement party?”
“Can’t have a Reeves getting married without an engagement party.”
“But—”
“Don’t worry. This all falls in line with the hiding in plain sight plan my brother conjured up.”
“This was Chase’s idea?”
“His? Yeah right. He hates parties. Noah and I are doing all the planning. It’s going to be at the Inn.”
Panic rises in my chest. “Levi. I don’t know about this.”
“Pepper.” He grasps my shoulders. “I know it feels like the opposite of what we want. But this is the best way for all of us to see if we have anyone to look out for in town. By presenting you ourselves. Everyone here trusts us.”
“This town is full of people who remember me. What my father did. I’m just supposed to reappear engaged to Chase Reeves. People are actually going to believe that?”
He lifts my chin. “Just keep your chin up. The rest will come naturally.”
“That’s your advice?”
He scoffs, releasing me. “No. My advice would have been Noah. Which is a lot more believable than Chase, but I digress.”
“Does Chase know about this party?”
He smirks. “Nope. And we’re holding it the same day he’s back in town. Calling it an emergency family meeting.” He chuckles as he walks to the door. “Then ambush him.” He pulls the door and winks, almost reassuringly. “I’ll check in on you tomorrow.”
I close the door behind him and shoot a quick text to Charlie.
Pepper:I need to go shopping. For an engagement party dress.
I text her a few more details about what Levi told me. It’s a minute before she responds.
Charlie:Chase is going to be livid.
Charlie:Can I come?
Pepper:Like I’d have a party without you.
For the next few days, I buy a few more things for the cottage and hope Chase won’t mind. I keep it super guy-friendly while keeping resale value in mind. I finally bought new drapes; canvas instead of silk, giving it more of a rustic farmhouse look with that nautical vibe Elliot seemed to be going for. Though he might have forgotten at some point and just bought whatever fit.
Or was left out on the street.
By the time Friday comes around, I’m a little less panicky but still nervous.
Chase hasn’t bothered calling but texted a few times to check on me. I don’t know why it upsets me he hadn’t called, but I don’t feel as guilty for letting him walk into an ambush.
I stop at the Inn early on Friday to see if I can help with anything. “Hey, Mr. Reeves.”
“Aiden,” he corrects.
“Aiden. I have something for you.”
“You’re kidding. I never get anything. What’ve you got?”
I dip my hand into the shopping bag. “I was just tidying up and thought you might like to have this.” I hand him the photo of him and Elliot on a fishing outing.
His lips part and he covers them. His eyes mist and I wonder if I’ve made a mistake. He flips the frame. “Where did you find this?”
“In a box—well inside this book, actually.” I pull out the hardcover of A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein. The edges are worn, but the pages are crisp with that old book smell. “It fell out. I wasn’t snooping through Elliot’s things, I promise. Just bored so doing some cleaning,” I add quickly, realizing that Chase wouldn’t want them to know what he asked me to do.
“And you framed it?” he asks thoughtfully.
“It was a little rough around the edges, so I picked up that frame at Bob’s Antiques.” I hand him the book, which he takes like it’s something he never thought he’d see again.
He nods and lifts his gaze to mine. “Thank you.”
“Oh. You’re welcome.”
He blinks away. “I’m going to go make you a sandwich or something.” He takes the photo with him and disappears behind the kitchen doors.
My heart fills with something I can’t quite place, but it’s warm and levitating. I suck in a breath and turn back to the room already decked out for a party. With pearl and gold balloons, matching table linens and a large sign hanging across the back brick wall.
I watch the staff fill the tables with trays of appetizers and pre-filled champagne flutes.
“Who’s paying for all this?” I ask Aiden when he returns with a set of small sandwiches for us and fills my glass with soda.
“Levi and Noah are splitting it—those two are very much looking forward to seeing their brother’s face go up in flames.”
I wince. “I feel like I should warn him or something.”
Aiden chuckles. “Oh, come on, it’s all in good fun. Quite frankly, it’s good to see my son focused on something other than hockey and—”
“And what?”
“And trying to cover his pain. He’s the only one who hasn’t dealt with Elliot the way he should.”
I frown, wondering if either of them know about Chase’s guilt. “How…should he?”
“Stop blaming himself for one,” he mutters.
I guess that answers that.
I wait for more, but he backtracks. “But hey, it’s supposed to be a celebration. Don’t worry about a thing. The staff’s got it. Why don’t you go and get ready so you can make your grand entrance. You can use one of the rooms upstairs. Room 403 checked out this morning.
“Thanks. Hey, I meant to ask, is it alright if Charlie comes tonight?”
He smirks. “Charlie was the first one on Noah’s guest list.”