Page 122 of Legacy

“Well, I’m just glad that it seems like Fiona will no longer be bothering us.” Finnian looked down at his phone and cursed. “Hey, big bro. I love you. I’m glad you’re doing okay. You, too Felicity, but I need to go pick up the girls. Promise and Keely have a big event at the bed and breakfast today, and their grandparents can’t watch them for long. I have to go do the whole dad thing.”

“Go. Stop hovering. I’m fine,” I said for probably the hundredth time.

“I’m fine too. Give those babies my love,” Felicity said. Finnian leaned down, kissed Felicity on the cheek, and gave me a wink.

I held back a growl, only because I knew Finnian was fucking with me. But seriously, how annoying.

“I should head out too. I’m opening tonight.” Sterling slid his phone into his back pocket, kissed Felicity on her other cheek, and flipped me off.

“Stop getting hurt. Both of you. My nerves can’t handle it.”

I shook my head and leaned back as Sterling and Finnian headed out.

Teagan and Briar left as well, with Briar’s husband and baby in tow, after ensuring that we were all taken care of, and finally the noise started to die down. Yes, the Carters were loud as hell, but the Ashfords were a little louder.

Of course, there was one Ashford that wasn’t here. But I didn’t know how I was going to get him to come back unless I found a way to get off this couch and help my brother.

I needed to get healthy so I could do so, because it was killing me.

Because of all people in our family to have been part of that? Bodhi was the worst.

Because our father had fallen on his own knife. He had tripped and fallen while trying to kill us all and ended up burying the knife in his own chest.

Bodhi hadn’t done it.

But that didn’t stop the townsfolk from whispering. The same townsfolk who had whispered the same words about Bodhi’s family.

As soon as I was able to, I was going to walk down the town street and glare at anybody who dared talk about my brother.

I already knew the rest of the Ashfords and the Carters were doing the same.

Because fuck anyone who blamed Bodhi for what happened.

No, all of this was on Matthew Ashford’s shoulders.

May he never rest in peace.

The man was dead. We weren’t mourning him. No, we were mourning what could have been.

Because now we all knew the truth. About both women who had tried their best to protect their children.

Both women who were no longer here.

And thankfully Matthew Ashford was now burning in hell.

“Okay, now, I want to make sure you all get enough fiber and protein. You’re going to need it to heal.”

“I’m fine Mom. I’m not even bruised,” Felicity said.

“Make sure she eats enough protein,” I warned Mrs. Carter and winked. “Because she never eats enough.”

“I eat just fine, thank you.” Felicity gave me a look that I had a feeling had nothing to do with food, and I was grateful that we had shifted so that way nobody could see my lap.

The woman that I loved was a menace, and I loved every moment with her.

“Don’t worry, I’ll have you both in tip-top shape soon. And then we can start planning the wedding.”

I choked on a carrot and glared at the woman who thought I was just like a son to her. “Really? Really.”