Page 195 of Come Back to Me

“What’s up with you tonight?” Colt asks halfway through dessert—a key lime pie that I need to eat for breakfast, lunch, and supper tomorrow.

Cody’s dessert fork scrapes the dish. “Did you know Uncle Clay was having an affair with Elena Frobisher?”

Colt doesn’t answer immediately, merely frowns at his brother. But seeing as the question drew the attention of the entire table, he reaches for his bottle of beer, takes a sip, and slowly dips his chin.

“You knew?” Cody demands in surprise.

“He loved her. I never said anything. How could I? Theo’s my best friend.”

He narrows his eyes. “Elena’s sick.”

“I know.”

“Why didn’t you offer to help them out?”

“I did. Several times. But Theo’s a proud man. I gave him the McAllister foreman job on top of his regular duties for a reason.” His brow furrows. “I don’t appreciate the accusation that I’m not there for my people, Cody.”

His jaw works. “No, sorry.”

“On top of that, I make sure that I clear their accounts whenever I’m in town. I’m doing what I can within the scope of what they’ll let me. John doesn’t like anything Korhonen, Cody. Clay’s the reason why.”

“I get it. Sorry, Colt. I was speaking with Bast today and he seemed to think Theo hadn’t told you.”

“He did, but he doesn’t mention it. I don’t prod an open wound. He knows I’m here to talk if he needs me.”

“He also said that there’s more of a disconnect between the town and us than we realize.”

I have to snort. “Of course, there is. The Seven Cs is Mount Olympus, Cody.”

“Oh, god, we’re not talking about Greek gods again, are we?” Callan groans.

I wag my finger at him. “You know I’m right, Pan?—”

“I am not a goat!”

“—tell them, Zee.”

My sista-from-another-mista takes a sip of her coffee. “She’s right. It doesn’t help that half the town’s terrified of Clyde and the other half’s worried he’ll destroy their business on a whim.”

Callan’s dessert fork clatters against the dish. “Past tense now that he’s in jail, surely?”

“Bast seemed to think he’ll get out of it,” Cody rumbles, shoving his dessert aside. “I hope he’s wrong.”

“Can we bribe a judge?” Callan chimes in.

That has Cody sighing. “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”

“Elena Frobisher’s sick?” Lindsay inquires after whacking Callan’s hand with her spoon.

I pull a face. “Early onset Alzheimer’s.”

“Christ! She’s our age, Ida!”

Mrs. Abelman nods. “I’ve been sending over food for them since Blanche fell down the stairs.”

“Why did none of you tell me this?” Cody growls.

“Or me!” Lindsay sputters.

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