Chapter 14
Riley
Piper looks up at the heavy sound of my boots in the hallway, offering me a small smile as I cross into the room where she’s seated behind a long counter with multiple desktop computers.
I haven’t been inside the library since my early high school days when grouchy Mrs. Fields was the librarian and all the kids were afraid of her.
She never bothered with me, though, something to do with my mom and their past.
“Riley,” she says in surprise, rising from her desk.
“Piper.”
She moves to meet me in the center of the room as I make a show of looking around.
I can’t actually say much has changed in terms of the layout and décor beyond some much comfier-looking chairs by the front windows, but it definitely feels warmer and a hell of a lot more welcoming.
I suspect my new sister-in-law and her sunshiny personality have a lot to do with that.
I huff an amused breath through my nose at the realization that my brother and I share a type.
Though my Sunshine isn’t quite as shiny as I remember anymore.
The thought has my chest twisting with sadness.
When I turn back to find Piper watching me with curiosity, I nod in approval. “I like what you’ve done with the place.”
She chuckles, then shrugs. “I do what I can with the budget they give me.” She pauses, glancing around to make sure no one else is listening.
There are several people in the room across the hall, but they don’t appear to be within earshot.
“The town council is pretty tight with their wallet, especially since hiring Steph full-time, but I’m hopeful that if Mrs. Abernathy wins the mayoral race, she might loosen the purse strings a bit.
She’s a frequent patron and member of my Mystery Maven’s book club,” she continues conspiratorially.
“So you’re saying I should vote for her?” I ask with a sly grin.
I remember the president of the Llyn Lakes Historical Society as being a snooty busybody, but considering what I’ve heard about our incumbent Mayor Alcott and his relationship with the recently incarcerated Leuen Davies, I’m not surprised Mrs. Abernathy would be winning in the polls.
Nor am I surprised that Piper would be eager to end her working relationship with the current mayor, given her own history with Davies.
My mom had eventually filled me in on Piper and Aidan’s story once it became clear I wasn’t going to hear it from him anytime soon; how they’d met after she’d had a frightening encounter in the woods and run into him out at Ava’s old family cabin.
He’d been there, hiding, licking his wounds, following his partner and best friend’s death.
It was believed that Piper’s life was in danger, and Aidan, who was on leave from the department, had agreed to act as her temporary bodyguard.
They grew close, and when Piper was eventually kidnapped, Aidan tore the world apart to find her.
In the process, he and his colleagues succeeded in busting a drug ring that had plagued the county and much of the state for years.
Leuen Davies was a prominent part-time citizen—a summer person, as the year-round residents like to call them—and a good buddy of the mayor.
He, along with his son Tommy and a number of other men, was convicted for the kidnapping and drug trafficking, as well as for several other criminal activities that came to light once the feds took over the investigation.
According to my mom, Ava’s murder was also recently added to the list.
All that to say, the longstanding mayor’s character had been called into question, with many wondering what exactly he had known about his friend’s various criminal enterprises.
Though nothing had been proven, the gossip mill, which was conveniently run by none other than the mayor’s bitter ex-wife, Mrs. Abernathy, had succeeded in painting him with the dark brush of scandal and tainting his many previous decades of service to the town.
“Does that mean you’re sticking around, then?” Piper asks, her voice still low.
I nod.
“Because I just looked this up for someone last week. A person must reside in Llyn Lakes for at least nine months out of the year in order to be considered a full-time resident with voting rights,” she tells me.
“Well, I might have to wait for the next election, then,” I acknowledge with a chuckle, “but, yes, I’m sticking around. Just started a job at Aroma’s, actually.”
“Oh! Good for you. That’s … that’s good,” she says, offering me another small smile, but her eyes are wary.
“I think so.”
“Good,” she repeats. There’s a moment of stilted silence before I realize I’m still holding the drinks I’d brought.
“So, what can I help you with?” she asks at the same time I hold one up and say, “I brought you this.”
The awkwardness lingers as I extend my hand and Piper accepts the drink with a murmured, “Thank you.”
“I was told it was your favorite,” I say, to fill the silence.
“Thanks,” she says again, brightening. “You saw Lucy at the Bean?”
I nod as she takes a sip of the drink, then chuckle when she lets out a pleased little moan. Score one for me, I think, amused. Holding up the other cup, I glance over my shoulder and across the hall, then ask in as casual a voice as I can manage, “Is Steph around? This one’s for her.”
Piper’s eyes flash with delight, and she gives me a knowing smirk.
Guess I’m not fooling anyone.
“She’s not in yet, but I expect her soon.”
“Oh, okay.”
Piper gestures me over to her desk, and I follow, placing the extra drink down and taking the seat she indicates across from hers.
“It’s green,” I mumble, searching for something else to say.
She chuckles. “Matcha latte, I’m guessing.
It’s Steph’s new favorite. I remember when she first discovered it.
Lucy had been urging her to try something different from the boring Sencha she always used to order, but Steph had resisted.
She can be so stubborn sometimes, you know?
Maybe you don’t …” she trails off, but then continues again almost immediately.
“Actually, you probably do. I mean, I’ve heard a thing or two about your history, though honestly, Aidan is super closed-mouthed about you in general.
And Steph’s worse, if you can believe that.
She won’t even talk about the boys’ dad, so I guess it’s not surprising she wouldn’t share anything about her past with you, but …
” she trails off again with a look of chagrin.
“Oh my God. I can’t believe I said all of that.
I’m so sorry. It’s none of my business. Your history with Steph, I mean.
Or … really … anything. I barely know you.
Crap!” She smacks her forehead, and I fight a smile.
“I’m still doing it. I’m sorry. Aidan says I always ramble when I’m nervous, and you just, well… ”
She swallows audibly.
Then lets out an embarrassed giggle.
“I was just trying to say that … she finally tried the matcha last month, and now she’s addicted. So, you know, it’s good you brought her one. Like, if you’re trying to, like, woo her or something …”
She cringes and bites her lip, a flush spreading across her cheeks.
“I probably shouldn’t have said that either,” she whispers under her breath. “Who says ‘woo’ anyway?”
I’m trying hard not to laugh in the face of her discomfort. It’s no wonder my brother fell for her, though. This girl is adorable and utterly endearing. I decide to give her another moment to make sure she really is done.
But she’s not.
“Sorry,” she blurts out, and I can’t help the full-on grin that takes over my face. “Okay, I’m going to stop talking now. For real.”
“You sure?” I ask, beyond amused now.
Piper mimes zipping her lips and nods.
“Well, I actually came here for some advice, so maybe you want to … ‘unzip’?” I ask, mimicking her movement over my own lips.
She rolls her eyes, then lets out a long breath, squaring her shoulders.
“Alright. What can I help you with?” she asks primly in what I can only assume is her formal librarian’s voice.
And now it’s me who feels uncomfortable once more.
“Umm …” I clear my throat. “Well, see, my sticking around is actually part of why I’m here. I was hoping you could talk to Aidan for me. I just—” I stop, and try again. “He won’t—”
She sighs. “He won’t even acknowledge your presence?”
“Yeah. Pretty much,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck. “But Piper, I want to know my brother.”
She shakes her head sadly. “That’s not going to be easy.”
“I understand,” I say, nodding. “I get that he’s angry. That he feels like I abandoned him—”
“Well,” she cuts me off sharply, “didn’t you?” I glance up to see her expression has hardened. She’s leaning over the desk, arms crossed, and while it’s anything but threatening, it actually pleases me to know Aidan’s found the kind of woman who will stand up for him.
I raise my hands in surrender. “I’m not denying anything, Piper.
I know I have a lot to make up for. And he’s completely justified in his feelings.
It’s just … well.” I suck in a deep breath and blow it out slowly, gathering my thoughts before I continue.
“It’s just that there’s more to the story.
I didn’t want to leave him back then. Or my mom.
” I meet her eyes. “I’d really like the chance to explain. ”
Piper studies me for a long moment, and I hope she can read the sincerity in my expression. I need her to know my intentions are good, that I don’t want to hurt my brother anymore. I just need him to listen. To give me a chance.
Finally, she nods. “Okay. I’ll talk to him.”
The breath I’d been holding whooshes out, and I smile again. “Thank you.”
“Don’t get too excited, Riley,” she says, raising a hand. “I said I’ll talk to him. I’m not making any promises. He’s had years to build up this anger and resentment.”
“I know. I know. Just … anything you can do. It would mean a lot to me. And … I want us to get to know each other too,” I say hopefully. “I kind of like the idea of having a little sister.”
At that, Piper grins. “Huh. I kinda like the idea of having a brother, too.”
“Well, alright then. In that case…” I lean back, reaching into my jeans to pull out my phone, then scroll through my photos until I find the latest in a myriad of sleeping dog shots I’ve taken in the last few days. “Allow me to introduce you to your new nephew-puppy, Connor.”