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I can’t help but wonder if they rehearsed this conversation beforehand with how seamlessly they play off each other. Or maybe it’s a sibling thing?
“I don’t understand how being new to town means that I’m not right for your sister,” I argue. “And isn’t the whole point of dating to get to know someone before making any major life decisions about the future?”
“Yes, but you’re not what we would consider ‘Rustic Ridge people,’” Olivia says. “We already had to convince Piper to agree to open her little bakery here in town instead of upstate New York where she found a shop for sale. Mother would have been devastated not having us all here, and she’s the best aunt and babysitter my kids could ever ask for.”
“So you want me to stop dating her so she can continue to help care for your children?”
“No, we have a couple friends of friends here that we can introduce her to,” Missy says.
My jaw tightens at the mention of their plan. A knot forms in my stomach at the thought of them introducing Piper to other men, especially ones they seem to favor over me.
“Look, Caleb, we aren’t being mean, but family looks out for each other,” Olivia says.
Family is important to me too. But is it fair for them to decide who is right for their sister? But where do my desires fit into this? Does Piper even have a say in this discussion?
“Tell me this: what’s Piper’s favorite color?” Missy interrupts my thoughts.
“What does that have to do with this conversation?” I nearly get whiplash from the sudden change of topic.
“You don’t know her well enough to be fighting for her,” Olivia says. “You should just end it now.”
My mind drifts back to Piper’s house and her bakery, wondering if she truly has a favorite color. Can I figure it out just from those two places she occupies most often? Then it hits me.
“Sage or light green, a more natural shade than the typical crayon box colors,” I tell them as they exchange glances.
“Favorite baked good?” Olivia asks.
“Cheese Danish or classic glazed donut,” I reply, recalling Piper mentioning it during our baking session.
“Greatest dream in life?” Missy asks.
“To earn her family’s acceptance of her career and hear them say ‘good job’ someday,” I tell them, another tidbit that Piper had confided in me.
“That’s not—” Olivia starts, but Missy puts her hand on her sister’s arm.
“We are proud of Piper. She’s always had a unique way of doing things. But we also worry about her. Our family has always prioritized our children and the family unit above all else. Sometimes, in our efforts to get her to see our perspective, it may seem like we don’t care about her feelings, but we truly do,” Missy explains.
“But do you realize how much time it takes for Piper to make these cakes? Not one, but three of them?” I bring up an example of how they’ve failed to think of Piper.
“I don’t know, maybe five hours. I am her sister. She told me that it was her wedding present to me,” Missy responds stubbornly.
“And she absolutely wants to do that for you. She told me that baking was a way for your grandmother to show love to all of you, and that’s what Piper is doing with your wedding cakes. But with three now, it’s going to take nearly forty hours to bake, assemble, and decorate before moving them to the venue. It’s not a small commitment on her part, in addition to everything else on her plate,” I defend Piper and can see the realization dawn on her sisters’ faces.
“Your toast,” the waitress says as she places the plate down on the table. “Hello, Missy and Olivia,” she turns to them.
“Miss Stacy, nice seeing you,” Missy offers.
“I can’t wait for the wedding!” the waitress says with an excited smile.
“Yes, we’re glad you can join us,” Missy says kindly as Stacy turns to ask if I need anything else before moving on to the next table.
Olivia lets out a sigh. “You seem to know a bit more about Piper than us these days. Do you think she would ever leave Rustic Ridge permanently?”
“I think it’s possible if the right opportunity presents itself. But regardless of how much you all may not see eye to eye, she loves her family and would never stay away for long. She’ll always find her way back home,” I reply confidently.
“What’s going on here?” Piper chimes in. I didn’t even see her come in the front door.
“We were just chatting with your boyfriend over breakfast,” Missy says, but Piper turns from them to me.
