West of Forever (Heartstone Ranch #1)(13)

Harper rolls her eyes. “Where were these tough guy feelings when the Gatlin brothers spray-painted our barn?”

“There was no actual evidence they did it.”

“Just like there’s nothing saying we did anything to them,” I remind my longtime friend.

“Which is why no one is being arrested for vandalism—yet,” Jimmy says with a huff. “Look, the last thing I want to do is come here for this shit. Please, if you are doing it, I beg you, just stop.”

“If we were, we would,” Harper adds.

“Mind if I go talk to the others?” Jimmy asks.

“Have at it.”

None of my family has anything to hide. We’re all doing our best to just pretend they don’t exist.

Some are just doing it better than I am.









Chapter 4





Lark




“Hello, Lark,” Mrs. Canta says as she stops me on my way into the Daily Knead. The bakery is owned by my best friend, Suzanne, and every few days I come and get a few loaves of sourdough. Today, however, is a community food drive where I volunteered to help pack boxes to help local families who are falling on hard times.

“Hi, Mrs. Canta.” I smile at my mother’s closest friend.

“How is your mother?”

I hold back the eye roll because I’m pretty sure they spoke this morning. “She’s good.”

“I was so sorry to hear about the Stones causing trouble again,” she says with a sigh. “I do wish Ginny was still alive. She never would’ve stood for that kind of behavior from her children.”

I try not to remind her that this feud has been going on for damn near a century, and my father and Mr. Stone were doing dumb shit to each other before any of us kids were born.

In fact, I’m pretty sure my father slashed one of Tristan’s father’s tires at an auction about two years ago. While he’s never admitted it, the timing is awfully sketchy.

Instead of saying any of that, I just smile and nod. “It was so good seeing you, Mrs. C. I need to get in and get my order.”

She glances into the bakery. “Yes, Suzanne looks very busy.”

The snide comment irks me. “She’s doing a lot of good for the town by offering her bread for no charge.”

That seems to do the trick. “All right then. I’m sure I’ll see you around.”

“I’m sure you will.”

I enter the store, the scent of freshly baked bread assaulting my senses. It’s like a warm hug, and I love coming in here. Her store is adorable. The wallpaper features cute drawings of different breads and pies. The counter lines the left side of the store with deep green wood paneling along the bottom and glass cases on top. There are four tables along the right side with green chairs. Everything is homey and quaint.

Suzanne has had a hard time starting her business. Most of the women in this town have been milling their own flour and baking since they were kids. However, I love my friend and am proud of her for chasing her passion, so I do what I can to support her.

“Hey!” Suzanne says as she pokes her head out of the back at the sound of the door chime.

“Hey yourself! How are you?”

“Good, business was better today,” she says with a mix of relief in her brown eyes. She pulls off the apron that was wrapped around her and tosses it on the counter. “We almost sold out of the new pies I made.”

I smile. “That’s amazing, Suzanne!”

“Yes, I might actually be able to pay my rent this month and electric at the same time.”

“That’s a plus.”

“It’s a miracle. Honestly, if it weren’t for Veronica Stone, I don’t know that I would’ve been able to do it.”

I blink. “What?”

She pulls her lower lip between her teeth. “Don’t get all twisted, but Veronica is possibly starting some new business or something, so she came and bought a bunch of bread, pies, and a few other baked goods. She put in a custom order for next week, too, which will really help.”

I have no idea what the hell Veronica could be doing that she needs baked goods, but if it helps my best friend, I really don’t care.

“That’s great, truly.”

Suzanne sighs. “Thank you for not being stupid.”

“Why would I be stupid?”

We both know the answer to that. She was probably worried I’d be upset because of who is making a difference in her life.

Which is really unfair, because I try my best not to be mean just to be mean.

“No reason,” she says with a smirk.

“Uh-huh.”

“I’m so glad you’re here to help. I was told a few other volunteers are coming. Why are you here so early, though? We’re not supposed to start until six.”

Now it’s my turn to feel awkward saying something. In about an hour, I’m going to meet Jeremy and finally put an end to things. It’s time. I’m not happy with where things are or the road we’re going down. It’s just better for everyone if I end it now.

“I have to leave a little early to take care of something, but I wanted to help,” I explain.

“Take care of what?”