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“You know, because you ran off to college and then got that fancy job in Germany or whatever.” Disdain dripped from his voice. At least they had one thing in common. They could both appreciate the need to move up in the world. Back when she’d left, he might not have felt the same. But he sure did now. “Anyway, Charlie is one heck of a cook. Even better than most of the guys who work down at Sal’s.”
“Sal’s? That diner’s still in business?”
“Of course it is.” Annabel gasped with excitement. “You haven’t been back since they’ve upped their game, have you? Oh, you have to go. They’ve got a new gal who makes the most delicious pies. They’re to die for.”
A slow smile spread across Scarlett’s face. She glanced at Elijah, but he didn’t return her grin. Then her gaze shifted behind him and she blinked before her smile split her face wide open. “Lucas? Is that you?”
Elijah stiffened. What in heaven’s name was his brother doing? He’d promised to go inside! Turning around, he found a sheepish-looking Lucas standing a few feet behind him.
“Scar? I thought I recognized you. What are you doing back in town?”
Scarlett’s smile faded somewhat. “My mom passed. I came home for the funeral.”
Lucas frowned. “I’m sorry. How’s your pa doing?”
“As well as can be expected. She was his whole world, so he’s not taking it too good.”
Lucas nodded, stepping around Elijah and taking Scarlett’s hands in his. “You let us know if there’s anything we can do to help. I know your father’s property isn’t too hard to keep up, but the grief can get you by surprise.”
“You’re so sweet, Lucas. I’ll for sure let him know.” Her eyes were locked on Lucas, and the connection between them wasn’t lost on Elijah for a single second.
He swallowed back the curse that hovered behind his lips. What he really wanted to do was grab his brother by the scruff of the neck and drag him inside like the rabid dog he was. Lucky for Lucas, Elijah didn’t feel like making him look like a fool in front of Scarlett.
Elijah shoved his hands in his pockets and jutted his chin toward the house. “I’m sure supper is getting cold if there’s any left by now. We might want to head inside if we’re not going to starve tonight.”
Lucas was the first to head up the steps. Then Annabel and Scarlett followed. Elijah watched them all disappear inside the house. Then he tramped up the steps and shut the door behind him.
Laughter and rowdy voices drifted through the house from the kitchen. He could hear his other brothers welcoming Scarlett for supper. By the time he got to the kitchen door, she was seated at the table beside Annabel.
Elijah couldn’t help studying her, listening to every single thing she said so he could get a feel for her plans. If she even breathed a word about something that would send his sister off the deep end, he wouldn’t hesitate to ask her to leave.
Once or twice she glanced up at him, her expression blank. Once upon a time he could read her—but that was probably when he’d still had a crush on her. Now, he knew better. Now, he understood that she was only out for herself.
Still, he leaned against the doorjamb, watching her as Liam pushed a plate into his hands. “Here. Charlie thinks you’re going to starve if you don’t eat this.”
Fumbling with the plate, Elijah’s focus shifted to his younger brother. Liam leaned against the wall, his gaze darting from Elijah to those at the table. “I know you don’t really like her, but you realize you’re going to have to be nice, right?”
“I’m nice,” Elijah scoffed. “Since when have I ever not been nice?”
“I dunno. There was the time when Scarlett brought Anna home late one night, and you sorta tore into her.”
Right. That was when Annabel learned she couldn’t control herself around alcohol. “Well, that was like ten years ago. I’m different. She’s different.” Or at least he hoped she was. “Besides, this is Scarlett we’re talking about. She’s not going to stick around long.”
“But she said—”
“I know what she said. I don’t believe a word of it. She’s always running off to do something new. She’ll stay long enough to help her dad and then she’ll be back to leaving everyone who cares about her. You’ll see.”
Liam took a bite of his pulled pork sandwich. “Yeah, I guess.”
2
Scarlett
Scarlett would never get used to how big Annabel’s family was. Even when she was younger, she couldn’t believe just how many children their parents wanted to have.
Then their parents left.
She glanced around the table, marveling at how they’d managed to stay together. When she was younger, she had felt bad for this family. The poverty. The lack of supervision. But as she took in everyone, she couldn’t help but wonder what it might have been like if she’d had even one sibling.
