Piper,” said Kathy. “He’s having fun. He’s in the middle of that period when the young people go wild and experience the outside world before they settle down into the Amish life for good. The other night I saw him at the Beach Club, and he was downing those beers like a champ.”
Chapter 17
S itting at his computer and working on the payroll, Walter realized that he was in rough shape. Without Shelley to assist him and with Kathy taking time off this week and next for her wedding and honeymoon, he was going to have to do the heavy lifting of managing the inn. That was going to keep him from focusing on his expansion plans.
There was nothing he could do about it. The last thing he’d want to do was deny Kathy the freedom to enjoy this special time in her life. Neither did Walter want to disappoint her mother. Things were going so well between them. He didn’t want to do anything that might jeopardize that relationship.
He leaned back in his chair and put his loafer-clad feet up on the desk. All and all, he was content. He really enjoyed the time he spent with her Nora, and the prospect of Kathy as a stepdaughter pleased him greatly. He’d never married or had children of his own, and he’d come to regret it. He’d always been so driven. Now he was trying to have a more balanced life and was finding that he liked it. Sharing meals or catching a movie with Nora, having someone to talk with and care about had enriched his days and nights.
Still, Walter knew himself well enough to realize that he was first, last, and always a businessman. He pulled out the property survey from the drawer, spread it across his desk, and studied it. Each red X marked his progress. It excited him that his persistent attempts to persuade the town-house owners to sell him their property were coming to fruition. He already had six signed contracts. There were four more to sew up before he reached his goal.
The economy was on his side. Across the state there were far too many properties for sale and far too few buyers. Things weren’t going to change overnight. Another few weeks wasn’t going to alter the real-estate market. He knew he could afford to be patient.
Walter rose from his large desk and walked to the window. He noted with satisfaction that the rain had stopped. Though some was necessary and inevitable, too much rain certainly wasn’t good for business.
Suddenly it occurred to him that it was Valentine’s Day. He reached for his phone and scrolled through the listings till he came to the florist’s number.
“I’d like two dozen red roses delivered to Mrs. Nora Leeds,” he said.
It was of utmost importance that he stay in Nora’s good graces.
Chapter 18
K athy walked out of the fitting room. Piper’s mouth dropped open and tears welled up in her green eyes.
“You’re a goddess!” she gasped. “Kathy, you are so beautiful!”
“Do you like it?” asked Kathy.
“Like it? I love it!” said Piper.
The dress was strapless, setting off to perfection Kathy’s shoulders and décolletage. The bodice was ruched. Beneath it, soft white organza flowed gracefully, creating a slimming A-line silhouette. A sweeping train was attached to the back of the dress.
“Gorgeous,” said Piper. “Just gorgeous. But there’s one little thing.”
Kathy’s wide smile disappeared. “What? What’s wrong?”
“What about the train?” asked Piper. “You don’t want it dragging behind you in the sand, do you?”
Kathy let out a deep sigh. “Of course not,” she said, smiling again. “That’s where you come in, cuz. You won’t mind carrying it for me, will you?”
“Oh, I see. You want me to be your Pippa Middleton,” said Piper. “Sure. I’ll do anything you want. I just hope my bridesmaid dress makes my butt look as good as hers did.”
“Aw, Piper.” Kathy laughed as she squeezed her cousin’s hand. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For helping me enjoy this and for taking my mind off Shelley for
Chapter 17
S itting at his computer and working on the payroll, Walter realized that he was in rough shape. Without Shelley to assist him and with Kathy taking time off this week and next for her wedding and honeymoon, he was going to have to do the heavy lifting of managing the inn. That was going to keep him from focusing on his expansion plans.
There was nothing he could do about it. The last thing he’d want to do was deny Kathy the freedom to enjoy this special time in her life. Neither did Walter want to disappoint her mother. Things were going so well between them. He didn’t want to do anything that might jeopardize that relationship.
He leaned back in his chair and put his loafer-clad feet up on the desk. All and all, he was content. He really enjoyed the time he spent with her Nora, and the prospect of Kathy as a stepdaughter pleased him greatly. He’d never married or had children of his own, and he’d come to regret it. He’d always been so driven. Now he was trying to have a more balanced life and was finding that he liked it. Sharing meals or catching a movie with Nora, having someone to talk with and care about had enriched his days and nights.
Still, Walter knew himself well enough to realize that he was first, last, and always a businessman. He pulled out the property survey from the drawer, spread it across his desk, and studied it. Each red X marked his progress. It excited him that his persistent attempts to persuade the town-house owners to sell him their property were coming to fruition. He already had six signed contracts. There were four more to sew up before he reached his goal.
The economy was on his side. Across the state there were far too many properties for sale and far too few buyers. Things weren’t going to change overnight. Another few weeks wasn’t going to alter the real-estate market. He knew he could afford to be patient.
Walter rose from his large desk and walked to the window. He noted with satisfaction that the rain had stopped. Though some was necessary and inevitable, too much rain certainly wasn’t good for business.
Suddenly it occurred to him that it was Valentine’s Day. He reached for his phone and scrolled through the listings till he came to the florist’s number.
“I’d like two dozen red roses delivered to Mrs. Nora Leeds,” he said.
It was of utmost importance that he stay in Nora’s good graces.
Chapter 18
K athy walked out of the fitting room. Piper’s mouth dropped open and tears welled up in her green eyes.
“You’re a goddess!” she gasped. “Kathy, you are so beautiful!”
“Do you like it?” asked Kathy.
“Like it? I love it!” said Piper.
The dress was strapless, setting off to perfection Kathy’s shoulders and décolletage. The bodice was ruched. Beneath it, soft white organza flowed gracefully, creating a slimming A-line silhouette. A sweeping train was attached to the back of the dress.
“Gorgeous,” said Piper. “Just gorgeous. But there’s one little thing.”
Kathy’s wide smile disappeared. “What? What’s wrong?”
“What about the train?” asked Piper. “You don’t want it dragging behind you in the sand, do you?”
Kathy let out a deep sigh. “Of course not,” she said, smiling again. “That’s where you come in, cuz. You won’t mind carrying it for me, will you?”
“Oh, I see. You want me to be your Pippa Middleton,” said Piper. “Sure. I’ll do anything you want. I just hope my bridesmaid dress makes my butt look as good as hers did.”
“Aw, Piper.” Kathy laughed as she squeezed her cousin’s hand. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For helping me enjoy this and for taking my mind off Shelley for
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