Page 32 of Legacy

I shrugged. “It’s a long story. And yes, he does. A few of my brother’s friends are all single dads here. So there are lots of children around. Meaning I had tons of babysitting money growing up.”

“And I take it the mom’s not in the picture?”

I winced, grateful that she was whispering. “No. His parents help him out, though. They sort of have to with his hours.”

“I noticed the badge. Fire captain? That’s a lot of responsibility. And well, a man in uniform.” She wiggled her brows, and I knew she was trying to lighten the mood, and I was grateful for it.

“I said something along those lines to my brothers once, and they promised to lock me in the closet.”

“I guess dating in a town where everybody knows you as the Carter little sister isn’t easy.”

I rolled my eyes. “You have no idea. But I’m trying. In fact, I’m going to do this thing called online dating.”

Keely shuttered. “I used to do that in my old town, and it sucks. However, if you’re going to try, let me know, and I can help you. At least to wade through the initial parts. And to be your backup. You know, the person to call you during the first course for help?”

“Deal.”

I grinned and sat back as our waitress came and we ordered our lunch. People in town came by to say hello, and I introduced them to Keely. Apparently, the Gazette hadn’t been too thorough in their introduction of her, and so everybody was curious. Keely took it in stride and was still bubbly and happy by the end of our lunch.

“When you’re ready to online date, let me know, and I will help you through the app.”

“I have no idea what I’m doing, so yes, I’m going to need your help.”

“We can work on your profile tomorrow if you want?”

“Done.”

We said our goodbyes, and I headed my way back to the office. Gregory should be back, and I had a few things to do before I called it a day and began my apartment search.

I turned the corner and ran into a full body. The man gripped my arms, and I looked up and froze.

“Well, hello there, little girl.”

I swallowed hard and pulled away from Matthew Ashford, Callum’s father. “Excuse me. I didn’t see you there.”

“Too high and mighty to look where you were going. Such a Carter way. You guys were nothing when my family built this town. But then again, you’re still nothing.” The whiskey on his breath filled the space between us, and I tried not to retch. I pushed past him, ignoring him and making my way to the office.

That man had always startled me. It never quite clicked in my mind that he was the father of some of the kindest and most driven people in town. But you couldn’t choose who your parents were. I was so damn lucky, and I knew it. But the Ashfords hadn’t been.

I got to my office, sat down at my desk, and let out a breath. Gregory had worked at this office for years on his own. And it wasn’t lost on me that one of the last people to sit at this desk and work alongside him was Matthew Ashford’s first wife. Eve Ashford.

She’d had the same job as me when she wasn’t at home raising Callum and the rest of his siblings. Eve Ashford had once sat at this desk. Had once worked her hands until they ached in order to keep her babies fed. All while Matthew Ashford had been the town drunk. And then she’d died. I hadn’t even known her.

All I knew was the town lore.

That Matthew Ashford had killed his wife and gotten away with it.

And now I sat at her desk.

And dreamed about her son.

Chapter 4

Callum

Teagan frowned as she went through her notebook, a question forming behind her eyes. I leaned forward and rubbed the lines in between her brows. “Stop frowning. You’re going to end up with tan lines there.”

I should have expected the punch, even though it was gentle because we didn’t hit each other hard as siblings. But I still let out a gasp and laughed. “Ouch.”