“I’ll triple what I’m paying you.”
I sit back, confused. “Reed, this seems unnecessary.”
“I’m paying for your services, and I’d like you to be here, personally, to oversee the project from start to finish.”
He doesn’t waver. If I decline, my firm loses a lot of money. If I accept, I lose more time and sleep, trying to cram even more into my days.
“I’ll make it work,” I say at last.
“Yay!” Piper says with a happy smile. “Christmas bunnies.”Chapter Two~Reed~Noel came highly recommended for her work. From several people, actually. And watching her as she surveys the inside of my home, I can see why. She has a sharp eye, a quick wit, and I can see that her wheels are turning at crazy-high speeds.
She’s here to do a job, no more, and no less.
And yet, I’m more attracted to her than I’ve been to anyone in months. Maybe ever.
Since Piper came into my life just a couple of months ago, I haven’t had time to notice anything. I work, I spend time with my daughter, and then, the next day, I do it all again.
But now, with Noel in my house, I’m noticing.
“Who decorated your home?” Noel asks in the kitchen. She’s using a camera to take photos of the rooms, and looks at me over the lens.
“I bought it like this,” I say and smile. “Furniture and all. So I’d have to ask the real estate agent. Why do you ask?”
She purses her lips and shakes her head. “It just doesn’t feel like you. And I know that sounds odd, considering I just met you, but it’s quite cold. There’s no color in here.”
“I spilled juice on the couch,” Piper admits. “And my mom always used to say that white furniture isn’t good with kids around.”
“She probably had a point,” Noel says with a wink. “The layout is brilliant, showing off the view.” She points to the accordion windows that open to the outdoor living space, and the view of the water beyond. “But the furniture is white, the rugs are white. Everything is white.”
“It’s clean,” I offer.
“It’s cold.” She wanders over to the staircase. “Will I be working upstairs?”
“Everywhere,” I confirm. I want Piper to have the best Christmas of her young life. After everything she’s been through this year, she deserves it. My daughter takes two of my fingers in her hand as we climb the stairs behind Noel and my heart catches. It still takes my breath away when she reaches for me, climbs in my lap or kisses my cheek. Piper is an affectionate little girl, which is something I’ve had to get used to, but I wouldn’t have her any other way.
“I want to show you my room,” Piper announces, pushing her way to the front and leading Noel down the hall.
Her room is across from mine, so I can hear her if she needs me. I’d originally put her down the hall, but that first night here in the house she had a horrible dream, and I couldn’t get to her fast enough.
I moved her things here, across from my room, the next morning.
“Oh my goodness,” Noel says from the threshold. “Piper, this is beautiful.”
“I got to pick it out myself,” Piper says proudly.
My daughter’s room looks like a princess threw up all over it. Pink upon pink upon pink flows everywhere, from her bedding, to the carpet, to the wall color. Her bed is a full-size canopy, with flowy curtains hanging down. I had a mural of happy flowers and butterflies painted on one wall.
“Finally, a room that a girl can get comfortable in,” Noel says, then sends me an apologetic smile. “Sorry. I don’t mean that to sound as bad as it does, it’s just this room is absolutely perfect for a little girl.”
“No offense taken,” I say as I lean my shoulder on the doorjamb and watch as Piper shows off her books and her dolls.
Noel walks to the double doors that lead out to a deck.
“It’s locked from the top, so little miss here can’t get herself into trouble.” I walk over and reach above Noel, feeling the heat of her back against my front, and pull the lock free, then open the double doors. We feel the air whoosh in.
“Absolutely beautiful,” Noel breathes. “Piper, you hit the jackpot with this bedroom.”
“What does that mean?” my daughter asks, making me grin. I adore this little girl more than I ever thought possible.
“It means you’re a lucky princess,” I reply and watch as her face lights up.
“Yeah, Mr. Bunny and I like it here,” she says, and I can’t help the wide smile that spreads over my face. I can’t imagine my life without her, and I’m relieved that she’s happy here with me.
“I think a Christmas tree should go right here, in front of these doors since it’s about to be winter, and the doors will stay closed anyway,” Noel suggests as she snaps a photo.