Page 16 of An Alaskan Twin Surprise (Home to Owl Creek 2)

She let out a ragged sigh. “Long story short, this place is bleeding money and I’m running low on hope that things will turn around. This place isn’t pulling in customers the way we used to. With new restaurants popping up on Main Street, the competition for business is fierce and it’s affecting my bottom line.”

“Oh, Piper, I wish there was some way I could help, but I don’t have much in the way of savings. I’m just hoping the little I do have will tide us over while we’re in town,” she said regretfully. Oh how she wished she had a large sum of money to give her dear friend. Watching Piper suffer like this was pure torture.

Piper reached out to pat her hand. “You have Faith and Lizzy to worry about. I would never accept a dime from you, but I will take your prayers.”

“I’ll be offering those up in abundance. I’m here for you, my friend. Always.”

Piper sent her a weak smile that didn’t quite make it to her eyes. Rachel knew her friend was hurting in the worst way. Letting go of the diner would be like losing her father all over again. Jack Miller’s snowmobile accident had been just as shocking and life altering as the loss of her own father in the plane crash. The two men had each died in the pursuit of an activity they loved, which hadn’t made the tragedies any easier to bear. When she’d inherited the diner, Piper had told everyone who would listen that it was her way of honoring Jack. Without the Snowy Owl, she wasn’t certain how Piper would cope.

As she sat with Piper and tightly held her hand, Rachel was hit hard with the realization of how much she’d missed out on over the past three years. It hurt to know she hadn’t been around when her best friend needed her the most. It made her heart ache to think about how much her mother had suffered dealing with her illness all by herself. Rachel could have done so much to help the ones she loved, if only she’d had the courage to face her fears head on and be honest and open with Gabriel. She sucked in a steadying breath. There was no way to turn back time and change the things she’d done. All Rachel could do now was try to move forward and continue to make amends to all the people she’d hurt by leaving Owl Creek.

Chapter Six

By the time Rachel returned to the table, Faith and Lizzy were getting a bit restless.

Gabriel heaved a tremendous sigh of relief. He hadn’t been too confident in his ability to keep the girls entertained much longer. For the last few minutes he’d been making funny faces and playing peekaboo to make the girls giggle. Upon seeing their mother, they both began calling out to her with outstretched hands. The sound of the girls saying Mama tugged at a tender place inside him. There was so much love between these three. It was priceless.

“Is everything all right with Piper?” he asked. It was far better to focus on the matter at hand rather than get caught up in sentimentality.

“She’s feeling a little better now.” Rachel’s features were creased with tension, letting him know she was still worried about her friend.

Gabriel shot her a questioning look. “I don’t want to pry, but is it something I can help with?”

“I think she just needs to figure some things out regarding the diner.”

“I’m happy she has you to confide in. She works so hard. I’m not sure she’s taking enough time for herself. Her entire world seems to revolve around this place.”

“Inheriting the diner was a blessing, but it placed a heavy weight on her shoulders. I’m not sure I really helped the situation, but sometimes a listening ear is worth its weight in gold. She knows I’m only a phone call away if she needs me.”

He bit his tongue. He really wanted to tell Rachel not to leave Piper in the lurch again, but he knew his words would be laced with a trace of bitterness. There would be no point in fanning the flames.

“I should get going. I still need to hang these flyers up on Main Street. I’m looking for a mother’s helper.” She gave her watch a quick glance. “I need to make sure I’m back at the house before the visiting nurse leaves so I can talk to her. I have about an hour.” Rachel busied herself unfolding the stroller, then placing the girls inside one by one.

“I’m on my way out, as well. Let me help you with the stroller.”

“I think I’m good,” she said. “I’m so grateful for the ramp outside. It makes life a lot easier.”

“At least let me get the door for you,” Gabriel offered, walking ahead of Rachel so he could hold the door open for her. He tried to ignore the curious gazes watching their every move. He wouldn’t be at all surprised if a rumor about him and Rachel being an item again started to circulate in town. The very thought of it irritated him. He didn’t relish the idea of being the subject of town gossip.

Once they were outside and had made their way down the ramp, Rachel turned toward him. With her white knit hat framing her heart-shaped face, she looked so striking he couldn’t take his eyes off her. There wasn’t a single time he’d ever looked at her and thought anything else. He didn’t imagine he ever would. The sight of her always made him pause for a second to catch his breath.

“Thanks for watching the girls. I’m impressed you kept them occupied for all that time.”

Her lips twitched with merriment.

“What can I say?” Gabriel teased. “I’m a natural-born baby whisperer. Which way are you headed?”

Rachel pointed down the street to the left. “I was going to pop into the pottery place, then hit the bookstore. Hopefully it won’t be a problem to hang up my flyers.”

“I’m sure no one will give you a hard time. Don’t forget about Tea Time. It’s really become a popular venue in town. According to my mother, business is really booming.”

Rachel winced. Watching her expression, Gabriel had the distinct impression she was uncomfortable at the mention of his mother. Perhaps Rachel was nervous about seeing Iris after so many years. The last time they’d seen each other Iris had been knee-deep in wedding plans. It had to be awkward to face someone you’d wronged so badly. The ripples from Rachel’s vanishing act had been widespread. He hadn’t been the only person she’d inflicted pain on.

“Did you get an opportunity to talk to Helene yet about what we discussed?” he asked, wanting to steer the subject away from her stopping in at Tea Time.

She looked a bit sheepish. “No, I haven’t found the right time to bring it up yet.”

“The right time?” he asked, wrinkling his nose. “I don’t think you can afford to wait much longer.”

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