Piper nodded. “My thoughts exactly.”
“So your mayor isn’t the only one who’s seen the potential of the area.” Rowena’s brows drew together. “I wonder who else is involved?”
“Jason’s not my anything,” Piper insisted as heat, which had nothing to do with the sun’s rays, scorched her cheeks. “I don’t think either he or the other council members know about the hotel. Not yet. That’s not the way Wainwright Inc. works.” She paused, then copied her father’s brusque tones. “First buy up the land, then dazzle the locals with lots of promises. If that doesn’t get you what you want, initiate a lawsuit.”
Piper pushed her chair back into the upright position, picked up the plate with her slice of birthday cake on it and took a bite. “But that’s not the only reason I decided to move back.”
Ash and Row stared at her.
“Dare we ask?”
“I needed to come home. The house, these cliffs, the meadow—I spent some of my happiest times here.”
They nodded, each transported back to carefree summer days when life’s decisions were so much simpler. Ash, Row and Piper had walked every inch of this land many times, consoling each other through puppy love, acne and a host of other trials. No matter where they went, they always came back.
“I’m tired of the nonstop meetings, of cutthroat marketers trying to outdo each other to get another star on their A-list. I guess I’m tired of the rat race. None of it seems to matter much anymore.”
“And this will?”
“I think so.” Piper saw the concern in their eyes and knew they were only pushing because they cared. “I have such precious memories of this place, of my grandparents and you guys, of coming home at Christmas, watching fireworks displays from Lookout Point. I want other kids to have that.”
“The past always looks rosy in hindsight,” Rowena muttered. “Except for mine, that is.”
Ashley patted her shoulder but kept her focus on Piper. “Serenity Bay may have changed,” she warned.
“Trust me, it has.” Piper turned her chair so she could look across the water toward the town. “I did a little research. There’s barely anyone left that we know. After the lumber mill shut down I guess folks had to move away to find work. There are more than a hundred cottages for sale.”
“A hundred?”
Both wore the same stunned expression she’d had the day she’d driven around the town.
“More than. I’m sure lots of people come back in the summer but the number of permanent residents is sinking fast. I’m guessing that’s why the mayor thinks the town has to act now, before it’s too late.”
“Back to the mayor.” Row and Ash exchanged looks, then watched her, waiting.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Are you sure this mayor didn’t have anything to do with your decision to move back?”
“No.” Piper sighed, recognizing the futility of trying to withhold anything. “I’ve actually been considering it for a while. After Vance died I poured myself into work. I didn’t want to think about God taking my husband—or anything else.”
“And work hasn’t been enough?” Ashley asked softly.
“For a while I thought it was. But this birthday has me thinking, I’m not getting any younger.”
“Neither are we. But we’re not closing up shop and moving back here.” Rowena’s voice sounded harsh, but her eyes brimmed with pity. “Have you been so unhappy?”
“That’s not the right word, Row. I’ve been rudderless, without any real goal. Serenity Bay is offering me a chance to stretch, to think outside the box. I need that challenge.”
“Need?”
Piper nodded.
“Need. I want the Bay to prosper, to grow, to provide years of fun and joy for other kids, for other families—just as it did for us.” She waved a hand. “This is where I want to spend my days, maybe someday raise my kids. I might even get back into Papa’s gold studio during the long, frosty winter nights, see if I can create again.”
“You always did have a flair for the unusual,” Rowena said. “People still stop me to ask where I got this.” She fingered the four-inch gold mask brooch she wore on her lapel.
“If it doesn’t work out or I get tired of the solitude, I can always go back to the city. But moving here, this job—I have to try.”
“Cathcart House is the perfect place to do it.”
They sat together, each musing over the changes that had come into their lives.
“I keep expecting your grandmother to bring out a jug of hot chocolate and tell us to button up.” Ashley sipped her tea, a half smile curving her lips.
“Last night I thought I heard your grandfather’s snores.” Rowena shrugged at their surprise. “What? Even I have normal dreams sometimes.”
“They left Cathcart House entirely to you, Pip? You don’t have to share it with your brother or anything?”
“They left Dylan cash. He never seemed to like the Bay, remember?” Piper shrugged. “I never understood that but he seemed happy enough with his share when I talked to him after their wills were read.”
“Was your father at the funeral?”
“No.” Piper swallowed hard. “At least, I didn’t see him.”
“It would be a bit much to expect him to show sorrow, wouldn’t it? As I recall there was no love lost between your grandparents and him.” Rowena tossed the rest of the tea over the side of the deck. “Though I must admit, I never heard them say a word against him.”
“Gran always said God would handle him so she didn’t have to worry.”
The three remained silent for a few moments in sober remembrance.
“So you’re not too concerned about your father or his plans?” Ashley asked, her forehead pleated in a tiny furrow.
Concerned, worried and a whole lot more. But Piper wouldn’t say that or these two friends would fuss about her. She didn’t want that.
“I want to be here to help with development if I can. That beach is glorious. There’s no way I’m going to sit back and watch a Wainwright hotel ruin it.”
“You’re sure that’s his plan?”
Piper nodded. “One of them.”
“And if he sways the council to his way of thinking? What will you do then?” Ashley pressed, her face expressing her concern.
“Pray.” Like praying had saved Vance’s life. Piper pushed down the anger. God’s will, not mine, she reminded herself.
“Changing Baron Wainwright would take an act of God, all right.” Rowena snorted. “Other people’s plans have never mattered to him. Did you hear about that Wainwright project in London? There are rumors that officials received bribes to pass some inspections.”
“I hadn’t heard.” Piper sloughed off her gloomy feelings, determined that nothing would spoil her joy in having her friends visit. “Anyway, I’m going to do what I can here. This job means I’ll be kept abreast of everything that goes on in Serenity Bay so, hopefully, I’ll be one step ahead.”
“Ever the optimist, that’s our Pip.”
“It’s