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He couldn’t remember the last time a woman had got under his skin like this. He hadn’t even really realized it had happened. He’d tried to distract himself. First, by looking at pet shelters. He’d considered a cat. He’d considered a rabbit. He’d considered three different dogs—all totally unsuitable for an apartment block, but anything had been better than focusing on a woman he’d spent a stupid amount of time hating for no good reason.
Maybe he was overcompensating? Maybe he didn’t actually like her that much; he was just trying to make himself feel better for being unreasonable?
But as he watched Piper walk down her snow-covered path toward him, he couldn’t wipe the smile from his face.
She climbed in, along with the hint of the floral scent that she wore and looked at the pink bag he’d left sitting for her. “I bought snacks,” he said.
The coffee was already in the holders in the car, and Piper opened the bag and looked at the jam shortbread biscuits he’d bought on the way over. She nodded in approval. “Interesting choice.”
“There’s a bakery near me. Best in the world.” He gave her a wicked smile. “Plus, there’s the bonus that if we eat the biscuits on the way there, you have a spare bag if you need it.”
“Don’t joke.” Her face was actually a little pale. “I’m dreading this, aren’t you?” She picked up one of the coffees and took a sip as he pulled into the traffic.
“Let’s not overthink things. Want to listen to some music?
She gave him a critical look. “What are you?” she said. “A rock, country, hip-hop, or classic kind of guy?”
He flipped on the radio and let the sounds fill the car. “Soul,” he said without hesitation. “Always soul.”
Piper gave an appreciative smile and settled back into her seat as the miles passed. He wanted her to be relaxed, and it worked, as by the time they pulled into a parking space, her coffee and biscuit were gone, and she seemed calm.
Last time he’d gone into the attorneys’ office in complete bewilderment about why he’d been called. As they rode up in the elevator, he was praying he hadn’t ruined this for her. While his dream might actually get to be a reality at some point, he wasn’t quite sure the same would happen for Piper. She’d mentioned the opportunities were there, but the funds were not. She wanted bigger greenhouses. Margaret Smith’s might be her only chance.
The elevator door slid open and the same young man from before showed them both into the main office. All three attorneys were sitting behind the wide desk.
Dawson gave them a smile. He hadn’t even realized that his arm had naturally gone behind Piper’s back as he guided them both to their chairs.
He decided the best thing to do was just brazen things out. He already knew the worst thing that could happen.
“So, how did we do with clue two?” he asked.
Ms. Sully didn’t seem surprised by the question. “Clue two was trickier. It was meant to be. But you both seemed to find your way to the answer. I’m sure that Margaret would have been very happy.”
He could practically see the sigh of relief leaving Piper, as her tense muscles seemed to relax and she settled into the chair.
Mr. McNally talked next. “Your question was interesting. And we realized we might not have told you as much as we should have.”
Dawson leaned forward a little. He was definitely interested in what might come next.
“About Margaret Smith?” asked Piper, “Or about the clues?”
“Both actually,” said Mr. McNally. “I’d told you that Margaret updated the clues from time to time.”
They both nodded.
“So, you were right… and you were wrong.”
Dawson tried not to grimace. He hated the thought of someone playing him. He much preferred straight-talkers and if McNally kept on this meandering path, Dawson was quite sure he’d tell him so.
McNally continued. “Margaret updated the clues and she recognized that one, or more, might be considered seasonal. As you’d guess fromThe Mistletoe Crown, Margaret loved Christmas. It was her favorite time of year. And, while Margaret lived for a very long time after her initial diagnosis, she could never have predicted what time of year she might finally pass.” He took a deep breath. “You may, or may not know, that it does take a significant amount of time to settle someone’s affairs after they die. Part of Margaret’s instructions was that, no matter what time of year her affairs were eventually settled, she always wanted this part of her legacy—the contact with you both, and the eventual handover of clues, was always designed to be in the month of December.”
Dawson looked at Piper. She seemed just as shocked as he was. It wasn’t exactly what he’d been expecting to hear. “It makes sense now,” he murmured. Part of it was the actual relief that they’d solved clue two correctly.
Piper cleared her throat nervously and straightened up. “So, does that mean we get clue three now?”
Dawson tried not to smile. Talk about cutting to the chase.
Ms. Travers leaned toward them both. “You will both receive clue three shortly.”
