Page 42 of Peaches & Pistols

On my eighteenth birthday, I took over Clark’s Hardware, moved into the upstairs apartment, and have made every effort to never see Meredith again.

The only good thing to come from Meredith’s choices is Olivia. I was horrified when Meredith got pregnant after marrying Jack. I sulked and raged all nine months. But when that little red-haired baby was placed in my arms, I was a goner. I love my little sister, and I knew even then I’d protect her with my life.

“You doing okay?” James asks, coming to stand beside me as I stare aimlessly out the front windows.

“Yep.”

“You know, your chattiness is my favorite thing about you,” he teases.

I don’t give him the satisfaction of responding.

“Where’s, uh, Liv?”

“Celebrating with her family.”

I don’t claim them as my mom and stepdad. They aren’t my family. My family is comprised of Harper, Olivia, the Andersen clan, and now Mia and Everly.

He nods repeatedly. I know why he’s asking, and I don’t like it one bit.

My best friend and my little sister have always been close; she tagged along with us as soon as she could walk and talk. He’s always been like a second older brother to her, Reid and Sam too. She had four guardians and protectors—now three without Sam.

Olivia had a silly crush on James as a teenager, but every young person has inappropriate crushes every now and then.

I’d hoped she’d grow out of it when she left for college.

She didn’t.

Every time I turn around, she’s hanging off him, or they’re laughing, standing too close, or romping around like children.

I have to chalk it up to him being the class-clown, life of the party, playful kind of guy he’s always been—and my sister being relentless or trying to kill me from stress. Either option is quintessential Olivia.

If I allow my mind to wander to the alternative, I devolve into a murderous rage. There’s no way James would ever cross the line and do that to me.

“Yea, wasn’t asking for any particular reason, just used to seeing her around.” James claps his hands in front of him. “Where’s your nanny?”

Fucker.

“Harper’s nanny is here with her kid, and they’ve probably been abducted by the other women, and we won’t see them until dinner.”

“Maybe I’ll go find her and give her some adult attention. Mom can handle the girls.”

The fuck he will.

“Cool your jets, Clark.” James chuckles; my face must be giving off murderer vibes.

“Who’s all here?” I change the subject.

“Mom and Dad, Reid and Iz, your crew, and me.” My brows drop.

“That’s it? Where’s the Hayes family?” Connor, his wife Delilah, and his sister Quincy are eternally woven into the Andersen family, the same way Harper and I are.

“Delilah and Connor are teaming up with Quincy to cook a small Thanksgiving for their parents.”

Living on the ranch, James knows far more about the goings-on than I do. He’s also a dirty gossip and a wealth of information.

Nora and Elliott are Quincy and Connor’s parents. Elliott’s essentially homebound due to his medical condition. Alzheimer’s disease is a cruel mistress. Nora cares for him full-time. Until last year they came to holiday dinners at the ranch, but the frequency dwindled to where they don’t attend at all.

“That’s really great of them. Should be less stressful for Elliott—a quiet family Thanksgiving.”