Chapter 11 #2
She laughed. “It’s a thing in the Bay. When your old one is about ten, you move it outside and get a new one.
Having a second fridge to stock drinks for football games and parties is practically a requirement in Texas.
Plus, it comes in handy during the holidays, to store all the dishes prepared for meals. ”
They headed back inside to the den, where he enjoyed the conversation with her parents. Sullivan had never been as relaxed with adults as he was now, except for his days with his grandparents in Baker’s Cove.
Eventually, Piper and her mother began talking about the upcoming wedding, and Chief Roberts said, “While I enjoy a good wedding, listening to all this planning tuckers me out. How is Tidewater coming along, Sullivan?”
They chatted for several minutes about his design and how the resort would be opening on July first.
“I’m thinking I need to get with their head of security. Just to let them familiarize themselves with me and for me to see their operation.”
“I can arrange that for you. Offhand, I can’t remember the name of the guy who was hired to be the director of security, but I can put you in touch with Bill Lonsdale. He’s Tidewater’s manager and is also serving as the head of HR. He’s doing all the hiring for each position.”
The chief’s eyes flicked to his daughter. “I was wondering if Piper might go to work at the resort, but it seems that she’s got herself committed to Layne and the Bay Breeze for now.” He smiled indulgently. “It’s so good to have my little girl home.”
Roberts glanced back to Sullivan. “I know you’re thinking I’m an old fool because Piper is a grown woman.
If you’re lucky enough, one day you’ll have a little girl of your own.
Then you’ll see how she rules your roost and has a permanent place in your heart.
Piper has always brought us a lot of joy.
She’s spreads sunshine wherever she goes. ”
The police chief nailed it. That described Piper in a nutshell.
Studying him, the older man said, “So, are you two keeping company?”
He hated being put on the spot, not knowing exactly what Piper wanted him to say about them, so he replied honestly and yet vaguely.
“We’re seeing each other, sir.”
“You’ll be off to your next project soon, I suppose.”
He swallowed. “I will be, but Piper is making my stay in the Bay a lot more enjoyable.”
A kitchen timer went off, and Mrs. Roberts said, “The lasagna is ready.”
They gathered in the kitchen, with Sullivan being told to bring the sangria back inside. He did so, watching the Roberts work seamlessly, communicating without words as different dishes were placed on the table.
“Would you also like some iced tea along with your sangria?” Ellen asked him.
“Yes, please,” he responded.
Minutes later, his plate was full, and he was complimenting his hostess on her culinary skills.
“I don’t know anything about cooking, but you may have to send this recipe with me, Ellen. I would love to be able to eat Mexican lasagna again down the road.”
“I’ll make sure you take some leftovers with you, honey. You can have Nellie heat it up for you.”
“Actually, there’s a kitchenette above the diner in the room where I’m staying. I know my way around operating a microwave, so I can do that myself.”
Talk turned to some of the shows Piper had performed in over the years, and he learned that the Roberts had gone to see several of those productions in various cities.
“I was never much for vacations before Piper took off across the country,” the chief said. “Thanks to her, I’ve seen places from Atlanta to San Diego.”
Ellen added, “We would go in a day or two beforehand to do some sightseeing and then attend Piper’s show. Then we’d stay a day or so after and finish up seeing anything we’d missed. We had to work around my school vacations, but it was fun.”
She reached for her husband’s hand, and Sullivan could see the love she had for the man she had shared her life with.
“Elmo’s promised me we’re going to keep traveling, even though Piper’s back in the Bay now.”
“You could always go see Don, wherever he might be,” Piper suggested.
“Who’s Don?” he asked.
“He’s my brother who has a bad case of wanderlust. Don is a travel writer and hasn’t set foot inside the US in years. He’s ten years older than I am, so we’ve never been particularly close, but I do follow his blog online. We email some.”
“You need to think about how you’ll use your talents now that you’re back in the Bay,” the chief told his daughter. “God gave you a beautiful voice, and you should be using it.”
“I’ve never heard Piper sing a note,” he told her parents.
“Why, we can remedy that right now,” Ellen declared. “Let’s clear the table and save dessert for a little later.”
“Mom,” Piper protested, sounding like a teenager. “Sullivan doesn’t want to hear me sing.”
His gaze met hers. “That’s exactly what I want to do. I’ve been eager to hear your voice.”
He pitched in with the clean-up, happily pouring what was left of the sangria into the empty wine bottles. As the others scraped plates and filled the dishwasher, Ellen cut a large chunk of the lasagna off and placed it in a dish.
“Don’t leave without this,” she told him. “This can be lunch or dinner for you tomorrow. Maybe both,” she said brightly.
They gathered around an upright piano in the corner of the den. Ellen took a seat on the bench, and said, “We’ll act as your chorus, honey. What would you like to sing?”
The moment Piper’s rich contralto filled the air, a shiver ran along Sullivan’s spine. Her voice had a wonderful range, and she put such emotion into the words she was singing. Her parents chimed in on the chorus, one he had no idea what the words might be. He stood, soaking things in.
Piper switched to songs from other shows, and he actually knew the words to a few.
Her parents sang along enthusiastically, Chief Robert slightly off-key, but they were enjoying themselves tremendously.
Sullivan found himself joining in when he could, feeling a true part of a family for the first time.
“I’m done,” Piper said as the song ended. “We’ve bored Sullivan enough.”
He spoke up quickly. “I wasn’t bored at all. Entranced is more like it.”
His gaze met and held hers, and a blush spread across her cheeks.
Ellen asked, “Are you ready for dessert?”
Her eyes never leaving his, Piper said, “I think we’ll take a rain check on that, Mom.”
“Oh, so it’s like that?” Ellen observed, amusement in her voice.
They said their goodnights, Ellen pressing the Tupperware dish into Sullivan’s hands.
“Enjoy,” she said. “The leftovers—and what’s left of tonight.”
Now, it was his turn to find his cheeks reddening. “Thank you for having me, Ellen. You and the Chief are good company.”
As they drove home, he reached over and claimed Piper’s hand, lacing their fingers together. Things were growing more complicated. If he were smart, he would cut and run now—before they were in too deep.
When they pulled up in front of the inn, however, Piper asked him if he wanted to come in and stay the night.
“Gladly,” Sullivan replied, knowing it was too late to retreat.
Because he had already lost his heart to this ray of sunshine.