Page 9 of Made for You

“Violet, you can’t—”

“Bye Mom.” I end the call and lean against the counter.

Why is she so exhausting? She was never like this when Dad was around. Not that he was the pillar of perfect parenting as proven by the fact he’s now been missing in action for over ten years.

I am not going to let her ruin my first day back in Balsam Cliffs in over a decade. I turn to the fridge and grab the cream to add to my coffee. When it’s just the right light tan color I head out onto the porch and take in the open expanse ending at the ocean.

A deep breath fills my lungs with cold, salty air. A smile begins to play on my face. I’m finally back where I’ve always wanted to be, free from the reins of my mother and stepfather and the societal expectations I never asked to have put on me.

Gran pokes her head out the door, a bemused smile on her face.

“What in the world are you doing out here? Do you know it’s ten degrees out?”

“Enjoying the calm, and the openness. And appreciating that salt air hitting my face.” I smile broadly at her.

Happiness settling into my bones.

“Well you better get that booty back in here before you freeze. Plus it’s almost time to go meet Hunter. So put that coffee in a to-go cup.” She shuts the door leaving me outside alone again.

I take one last sip overlooking the quiet land before I head back inside to follow her commands.

The walk to the bakery is chilly, but nothing like walking in New York City. It feels different, less claustrophobic. Gran stops before we reach the door.

“Don’t freak out,” she warns.

I raise a brow before stepping through the door after her and my mouth drops. Everything is ruined like she said, and the heating system is off because it’s cold as ice in here. Literally. The walls look like a sheet of ice coats them

“Gran.” A simple statement that shows my dismay over the bakery.

“I know. It’s just awful isn’t it?”

As I walk around slowly taking in the damage, two very attractive men walk through the door. One must be Hunter, but I’m assuming the other isn’t Mr. Darnell since he’s in his late sixties.

“Liam! What a surprise to see you here this morning,” Gran exclaims, reaching to the man I now recognize.

Holy shit has time been good to Liam Keaton. He was the highlight of every Balsam Cliffs summer. His animal figurines were some of the first things I threw in my suitcase yesterday. I’ve kept every single one and remember our time together like it was just yesterday.

“Violet Turner is that you?” Hunter pegs me with a stare.

“Guilty.” I raise my hand in a weak wave.

That isn’t good enough for Hunter, he runs over and picks me up in a bear hug, swinging me in a circle making me laugh.

“It is good to see you, girl!” He places me back down on the floor.

“Hey, Violet.” Liam grunts out.

“Hi!” I run over and give him a hug like his brother did to me.

He barely wraps one arm around me and lightly taps me on the back. I frown at him and he squirms under my touch. Maybe he’s got a girlfriend. I’ll have to ask Gran to catch me up on the Keaton clan. I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes and with a man that looks like that, damn. Maybe I would step on some toes for Liam Keaton.

It would be a damn shame if he has a girlfriend, because that crush from years ago could definitely come back rearing its head, even with the grumpy grunts he’s giving as responses. Actually, those might make him sexier. The whole grumpy lumberjack thing works for him.

I pull back and hold him by the shoulders with a big grin on my face, “It’s been so long! I’m so glad you’re still here. I can’t wait to catch up!”

He glares at me. “Yeah. Sure. I’malwayshere.”

He shakes out of my grasp and walks further into the bakery to where Hunter is.

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