Page 10 of Keeping You
I glance up at the exact moment my baby sister’s shoulders droop with defeat. She’s always been the sunshine of our family—optimistic, bubbly, seeing the good in everyone. Watching her deflate like this makes something protective flare in my chest.
“Maybe they just need time,” I offer, though I’m not sure I believe it myself. The thing with people in small towns is that they can be loyal as fuck. They can also pick sides and hold a grudge forever.
“Time?” She laughs bitterly. “Luke, it’s been eight months. If anything, it’s getting worse. Nobody believes that we didn’t do anything behind Callie’s back. And now with you back...”
She trails off, but I know what she’s not saying. With me back, the town has even more reason to avoid the Caldwell family business. The bad boy returns to add fuel to an already smoldering fire.
“I’m sorry, Harper. Maybe I should have stayed away.”
“No!” My sisters yell the word at the same time, and I almost jump out of my boots at the twin look of horror on their faces.
“We just wish you had come home sooner,” Anna adds, bringing it down a notch.
“I was talking about me,” Harper says quietly.
“You?” I’m not sure I understand how my return and Harper’s situation with Callie are connected.
From where I’m working, I have a direct line of sight through the front of the bakery and out the window to where I can see the library directly across the street. Of course, I can’t see her. But it doesn’t matter. Whether I’m at the bakery or on duty at my new job, I’ve been watching the library all week. I’ve even started jogging by her place. I tell myself it’s a habit—observational skills ingrained since my training days.
But that’s bullshit, and I know it.
I’m watching for Callie’s honey-blonde hair and curves that still make my mouth go dry. She arrives every morning at eight-thirty sharp, usually carrying a coffee from somewhere that isn’t Sweet as Sin and a bag that probably contains pastries my sistersdidn’t bake. She’s making a statement without having to say a word. And the rest of the town seems to be on her side.
I’ve caught glimpses of her helping townspeople I’ve known my whole life find a book, laughing with that assistant librarian of hers, organizing what looked like a children’s reading corner. She moves with purpose and confidence. The library is her domain. I know this because I’ve snuck in and peered around the shelves, watching her.
I’m a cop turned stalker.
“Earth to Luke,” Anna says, snapping her fingers in front of my face. “You’re overworking that dough.”
I glance down to find that the poor blob of white has been practically beaten into submission. “Shit. Sorry.”
She follows my gaze and smirks. “I can guess what’s got you so distracted. Here, let me take over.”
“I’m not distracted.”
“Right.” She bumps my shoulder with hers. “Just so you know, I’m not worried about this place going under.”
“Anna, I saw the bills at Mom’s.”
Her cheeks redden, but she doesn’t look up. “Gram got behind on the bills before she died, and I’m still catching up.”
“Is that all it is?”
She gives me a one-shoulder shrug. “It has been a little slow.”
“The place has been dead,” Harper chimes in.
“Let me help,” I say.
Anna stops kneading. “It’s not your job to bail me out.”
“I thought this was a family business?”
“In name only. I have it under control.”
Not based on the pile of bills I saw and the baking that’s going to waste. “Look, I have some money saved. At the very least, let me help with a few of the bills to take them off your plate. If you want, you can repay me in cinnamon rolls.”
Tears shine in her eyes, and she glances to the floor. “You don’t have to.”
