Crap. I didn’t even think about that. “Thanks.”
We spend the rest of the time finishing our meals and laughing about all the shenanigans we used to get into as kids. As happy as I was to leave all those years ago, I’m glad to be back. The way she picks up like nothing ever changed is exactly what I needed in my life.
“Lunch was good. You’ve really done something amazing here.” I wave my hand to encompass the bar. “I’ll definitely be back.”
We both slide out of our chairs and give each other a quick hug.
“You better. And good luck with all your stipulations when you’re ready to date again.”
“That’ll be a long time.”
Little does she know, I came up with those rules because they exclude Peter. I can’t fall back into my old habits.
Seven
Peter
“We’re most likely closing early today.”
I drop the log in my hand at the sound of Piper’s voice. She has always managed to scare the hell out of me without meaning to. It’s one of her superpowers. Though, I guess she had to develop something as the baby of the family when we didn’t immediately include her in things.
“Why?” Bending over, I pick up the log and move it to the stack next to the fireplace. One day I need to talk Pierce into converting this to gas. It has to be easier to manage than having to get firewood. We only ever use it during the winter. The sad thing is it’s not even to provide warmth. Piper said it adds to the cozy atmosphere when people come in for tastings. For that we can play crackling fire on the TV without heating up the whole house.
She sits on one of the sofa’s close to the fireplace. “I’m not sure. Pierce said something about a Winter storm. The roads are supposed to get bad.”
“None of us even travel down the roads.” We all live on Starlit Fields property. Our parents gave each of us our own lots to build a house. “Closing early is kind of pointless.”
She scoffs. “I thought you were going to stop working so much and focus on yourself. Or was that resolution a complete lie to get me off your back?”
“It wasn’t a lie, but there’s nothing for me to do at home besides watch TV and play games.” And think about Callie, but I’m not telling my sister that bit of information. She’ll be as bad as Eric trying to play matchmaker. Except I haven’t been able to get her off my mind since I helped unpack her boxes. It felt like she was purposely pushing me away.
“What about Miles? I’m sure he might want to hang out.”
“If there really is a storm coming, he won’t be able to leave the ranch. Plus, it’s on the other side of town. Do you really want him risking his life to amuse me?”
Now she’s outright laughing. Did I just hear her slap her knee?
“Please. I guess I need to remind you of all the dumb shit the two of you used to do when you were younger.”
Oh God. She would bring up stuff from my past to rub it in my face. “Absolutely not.” I finish arranging the wood and sit down next to her. “What are you going to do if we end up closing?”
Piper shrugs. “I don’t know. Probably watch romcoms with Beau. Play card games. You know, the usual storm activities.”
“Mind if I crash?”
“Absolutely not. The more the merrier.” She pauses for a second. “Except Pierce. We do not need his grumpy, bossy ass to make us miserable. We deal with that enough here.”
Here we go again. He’s not my favorite person either, but maybe it’s because some of us purposefully shut him out. “He’s not all that bad.”
“Uh uh.” She wags her finger in front of my face. “We are not going down the road where you defend Pierce like a good little lap dog. You’re done with that, remember?”
“How is listening to you tell me what to do any different?”
I’m not like the rest of the siblings, I don’t have a favorite. Well, not anymore. Pierce used to be that to me. I looked up to him. Did everything I could to impress him and try to earn his respect. Where did that get me? Nowhere. The secrets he kept last year about Mom and Dad were too much. Their retirement shouldn’t have been a secret from any of us. Then the crap he pulled on Piper was the last straw. While I don’t loathe him as much as the rest of my brothers and sisters do, the whole ordeal was eye opening to say the least.
“I guess it’s not.” She crosses her arms over her chest the same way she did when we were kids. “Fine, if you want to invite him, do it. But don’t get mad if I’m frosty toward him.”
Without missing a beat she busts out laughing.
