Page 103 of The Keeper

When we finally pulled apart, both of us discreetly wiping our eyes, I cleared my throat and asked, “What about the stuff with Kelsey?”

Teddy dropped back into his chair, his hazel eyes flickering with pain at the mention of his ex-wife’s name. “Everything revolved around trying to get Levi the help he needed, and shit with me and her kinda fell to the wayside. After he died…” He trailed off, shaking his head. “I think we finally saw how far apart we’d grown, and neither of us knew how to bridge the gap.”

“So you threw in the towel and went Nomad,” I said, recalling how he took off for Colorado shortly after the funeral.

He shook his head. “I didn’t fucking throw in the towel. She did. I just didn’t see the point of sticking around to fight her on it. Addie and Sky were already off at college, and we were sitting in that big ass house like a couple of strangers.”

“Have you talked to her at all since then?” I asked, carefully studying his face and noting the deep lines etched around his eyes and mouth.

“We’ve exchanged a few texts about stuff with the girls when we have to,” he replied with a shrug. “But that’s ancient history now. We’re both better off.”

Something in his tone made me doubt the sincerity of his words. Teddy and Kelsey had been high school sweethearts, married for over thirty years before it all fell apart.

Not convinced he’d moved on so easily, I said, “Yeah, she seemed really happy when she and her fiancé stopped by earlier.”

His face went red, the cords in his neck straining as he shoved his chair back and loomed over me. “Her what?” he said, his voice low.

“Her fiancé,” I repeated, fighting a grin. “They were all loved up together on one of the couches. I can’t remember if they ordered the Second Chance Scones or the Forbidden Romance Fruit Tarts, but they looked pretty damn cozy.”

“Yeah? Hope he enjoyed it because he’s a fucking dead man,” Teddy growled, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. “Who the fuck is this guy? Did you get a name?”

“You know, for a guy who’s moved on, you seem really…invested in your ex-wife’s love life,” I observed, crossing my arms over my chest as I leaned back in my chair.

He deflated before sinking back into his chair with a scowl. “You’re fucking with me, aren’t you, you little shit?”

I ran my tongue over my teeth with a grin. “Of course, I’m fucking with you. I haven’t seen Kelsey in years.” I studied him for a moment before adding, “But it’s pretty obvious you’re not over her. Have you thought about maybe talking to her? Seeing if there’s anything left to salvage?”

Teddy shot me an irritated glare. “I’m the oldest. I’m supposed to be the one doling out advice, not you.”

“Yeah, well, sometimes even the oldest needs a kick in the ass,” I replied with a shrug.

“Enough of the emotional shit,” he said gruffly before standing and clapping me on the shoulder. “Let’s head back in so I can try one of those famous cinnamon rolls.”

Nails was waiting by the door when we walked back in. “Holy shit, look what the cat dragged in. Thought that was you, Crow,” he said with a grin, clasping my brother’s hand. “Been a minute, brother.”

“Too fucking long,” Teddy agreed, pulling him into a quick hug.

I caught Piper’s eye across the room, and she made her way over to us, a tentative smile on her face. In the midst of launching her business,my wife had taken the time to reach out to my estranged brother to mend the fences I’d been too damn stubborn to.

I pressed my lips to the top of her head, overwhelmed by the thought and care she’d put into orchestrating the reunion. “Have I told you lately how amazing you are?”

“Not in the last hour or so,” she teased, tilting her face up for a proper kiss.

I wrapped my arm around her waist before turning to my brother. “This is my Ol’ Lady, Piper. Piper, this is my brother, Teddy.”

Teddy grinned at Piper’s extended hand before pulling her into a bear hug instead. “Pleasure’s all mine, doll. Thanks for reaching out and inviting me. Means more than you know.”

Her eyes were glistening when she pulled back. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

“Speaking of family,” I said, glancing around the bakery, “where’s the little stink at? I want to introduce her to her Uncle Teddy.”

Piper pointed under the table where Avery was happily munching on a cinnamon roll while watching her movie. Almost every square inch of both her and the tablet was streaked with frosting.

Teddy followed my gaze, his dark brows lifting when he spotted her. “And who’s this little cutie?”

“This is our daughter, Avery,” I said, crouching down. “Hey, darlin’. There’s someone I want you to meet.”

She looked up from her tablet, her green eyes wide and curious. “Sim-woll?” she asked, clenching the soggy remains of her cinnamon roll in her little fist.

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