Page 23 of Legacy

I snorted. “Dad’s the type who would try to sue me for something like that. Not that he has money for a lawyer.”

“But he has a big mouth and a bigger attitude. Just let him drink himself into an early grave.”

“Not early enough.” And with that, she gave me a sad smile and walked away.

I just waved at the others at my booth, knowing I wasn’t in the mood to deal with anyone any longer. My friends would understand. When my gaze shot past Felicity, I met her stare and did the one thing I was good at.

I walked away.

Because I was not going to stand there and turn into the man who destroyed everything. I wasn’t going to be the man who had tried to raise me.

Though, as I looked down at my hands, I figured maybe I was already on that path.

After all, violence had been the first thing to hit me. The first thing to come to my mind when my father had said those words. That’s why I would push Felicity away. Not because she was too young. Not because she was my best friend’s little sister.

No. Because I knew if I wasn’t careful, I would become my father. And Felicity would be the one to pay the price.

Chapter 2

Felicity

“It’s your turn.”

“No, it’s your turn.” I folded my arms over my chest and tapped my foot. “I went last time. You had to go pick up the pies. I’m not walking in there and dealing with that woman.”

“You won’t get eye-fucked or yelled at or sneered at or maybe all three at once.” Rune shook his head as he wiped down the counter of the bar. “Excuse me, I may not get eye-fucked—because that’s totally something I want to think about in terms of my brother—” I ignored Rune’s chuckle and continued. “But I still have to deal with her. She’s meaner to women than she is to men. Yet walking into Ashy Buns is a rite of passage for holidays and events for our family. Why can’t Mom just bake her own pies?”

That time, Rune threw his head back and laughed, and I winced, hoping that Mom wasn’t anywhere near. “Do you remember the last time she tried?” Rune asked, his voice tinged with humor.

Memories of that evening haunted me, and I nearly went queasy once again. “Yes. And Thatcher had a great time making sure that all of our smoke alarms were ready to go for the next time she tried to bake.” The idea that the current fire captain was on call for my mother’s baking was a mix of humor and cringe for sure. I shook my head, remembering the smoke and burned blueberry smell, even though my mother had been trying to bake cherry pies.

My mother was an amazing cook. She could also bake cookies, cupcakes, and breads. But she could not bake a pie or cake to save her life. I didn’t know why cupcakes were so easy for her and not pies or tarts or even a full cake, but that was my mother.

“Why didn’t you bake one for the family dinner, then?” Rune asked.

“Because I got Mother’s baking gene,” I said dryly. “You’re the one who can cook.”

My brother smirked. “Maybe, but I don’t do pies. Just go to Ashy Buns and pick up our order. Please?”

“I’m making Atlas do it next time. No matter if he’s out of town or not. I’m going to force him to drive here, so he has to deal with that woman.”

Rune chuckled. “Deal. I’m sure he will legit get on a plane, maybe even one of his friends’ private planes, and get his ass over here just to deal with that woman.”

“Do I want to know who that woman is?” a stranger asked, and my cheeks heated.

“Sorry. I just realized that we are in a public space talking about this.”

The woman waved her hand at me. “Oh, don’t worry. Although you just said the name Ashy Buns, right?”

I cringed. “I’m sorry if you’re a tourist to our lovely and welcoming town, and I’m being a terrible introduction to Ashford Creek. We really are nice people. I promise.”

“Is that our new slogan? Trying to placate people?” Rune asked, his voice vacant of emotion.

“No, really, I went in there for a coffee this morning, and a woman with blonde hair and a pinched expression raked me over the coals when I asked if they had any caramel flavoring. I mean, it was on the board, and I thought I could ask for it, but no. Apparently, caramel flavoring was only for special customers.” The woman rolled her eyes as Rune chuckled, and I shook my head, trying not to laugh. “I’m Keely, by the way. And I just moved to town, so I really hope that Ashy Buns isn’t the full introduction of Ashford Creek.”

“I am so sorry about that. I don’t know what is up with her or why she hates people so much. But nobody’s been able to pry that stick out of her butt since before I was born,” I said after a moment, then I held out my hand. “I’m Felicity. This is my brother Rune.” I gestured towards my brother, wondering why he was so growly today.

Rune just lifted his chin. “Welcome to Ashford Creek. We don’t usually get transplants that move here without knowing the lay of the land.”