Chapter Six

A month after her announcement to Anna, Cynthia smiled as she pulled out a tray of cookies and placed them on the counter. As she removed them to the cooling rack and hummed, Analise, the college student who worked afternoons at the shop, gave her a dirty look, and left the kitchen. Cynthia shrugged and went about her work.

She knew she annoyed many of the workers there with her constant good mood, but they didn’t understand. She had a job for the first time in her life. A purpose, something to do that was all about making a better life for herself. There were still those moments that filled her with self-doubt. When her brother had stopped by a few weeks ago, she’d almost fallen apart. Thankfully, Max had been around and made sure Randall understood to leave her alone.

She wiped her brow with the back of her hand. Her hair, which she’d stopped straightening, now curled around her face. Even though she wore a T-shirt that had fit her a few months ago, it now drew tight over her breasts, but that made it easier to work. The hip-hugger jeans were brand new. Through the weeks that followed her move, she’d stopped watching every little bit of food that went into her mouth. Without someone pointing out each ounce she gained, it was easy to savor food and no longer see it as the enemy. She’d always had a love/hate relationship with food, especially with the sweets she loved to bake. As each day passed, the bonds of her mother’s catty comments dissolved. Granted, it meant she’d moved to a new size in clothing, but there was absolutely nothing normal about wearing a zero if going to bed hungry each night.

With the high humidity and the heat of a Georgia summer in full swing, it promised to be a scorcher today, but she didn’t care. She’d been up late last night talking to Chris. He called every few days and they talked—not about anything in particular, and they never really touched on sex or what had happened the night they’d spent together. But in the last month, she’d gotten to know a lot about Chris Dupree, and what she did know, she really liked. He cared for his family, was dedicated to his restaurant in Honolulu, and made her want to be naughty. It was nothing he said. He hadn’t made one sexual innuendo in all their conversations, but something about Chris made her want to misbehave.

“Looks like you’re having a good day.” Max leaned against the doorjamb, watching her work. She wondered how long he’d been standing there.

“Pretty good. How about you?”

“Well, it could be better. I had a meeting with your father early this morning.”

She couldn’t stop the pain that little comment brought. Her clothes had been delivered to Anna’s house, and she had yet to speak to either of her parents. Even her mother had ignored the fact that her only daughter had turned thirty the week before.

“Why were you meeting with him?” Oh, she hated the way her voice wavered. It made her sound like a frightened girl. And she wasn’t.

Max’s jaw flexed a couple of times, his eyes going cold. “We were supposed to discuss some business, but it turned nasty. He made some remarks I didn’t appreciate, and I told him I would not be doing business with him again.”

“Oh no, I hope this has nothing to do with me, does it?” She would just die if she had caused Max any more problems.

“Indirectly. He made certain observations about Anna.” From Max’s thunderous look, Cynthia was pretty sure she knew what was said about Anna.

“Ah. Father isn’t as bright as he claims to be.”

Max’s expression lightened. “No, he’s not. Then he mentioned your grandmother’s home in Hawaii. I didn’t even pay attention to it until I got back to the office and did some checking. Do you have any idea about the state of your father’s finances?”

She shook her head, puzzled. “No, why?”

He walked further into the kitchen. There was a pensive look on Max’s face. She had grown accustomed to his more relaxed mood since he started dating Anna. This was the old Max, the one with too many worries for one man.

“Tell me.”

He sighed. “It appears that your father is done up.”

She laughed at first, thinking he was joking. When she realized he wasn’t smiling, her laughter died. “My father is broke?”

“That’s the rumor. I’m not sure if it’s true or not, but I do know one thing. His temper has lost him a few contract bids with some big companies. He lost the Hilton job down in Boca Raton.”

“That was a sure thing.”

Max sighed and took her hand, leading her to a couple of barstools. Once they were both seated, he continued. “Your father has been losing credibility the last few years. But the thing I worry about is your trust.”

“You don’t have to worry about that. I got it several years ago, and it has been invested well.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure my money is safe.”

He nodded. “That’s good. What I have to worry about, though, is the mention of your grandmother’s home. Do you know why he would mention it?”

Frowning, she thought back. She’d only been eleven when her grandmother died, and she’d been devastated when the news reached her at summer camp. Her parents had forbidden her to accompany them to Hawaii for the funeral.

“No. All I knew about was the trust.”

The timer went off for the cookies, and she rose to get them out of the oven. Once finished with the task, she turned to face him. “What do you think this is all about?”

He shook his head. “I’m really not sure. There are other rumors about your father. Some say his business dealings are not aboveboard.”

“Father doesn’t like to lose.” It was sad to realize she didn’t respect the man who had raised her. “I hate to say it, but I really think he wouldn’t hesitate to break the law.”

She hated dealing with things like this, but it was allowing her father to run over her for years that had gotten her where she was today. She had to start doing for herself.

Before she could even contemplate everything Max had told her and what it meant, her phone started ringing. It was her lawyer. “Cynthia. How are you doing?”

“Hello, Mr. Barton. I’m fine. How’s Vivian?”

She had known the Bartons for most of her life, and his wife Vivian was one of the sweetest women in Georgia.

“I’ve had a situation arise, and I thought you should know about it. Your father told me he had your permission to sell off your grandmother’s house in Hawaii.”

“I don’t understand. Why would he need my permission?”

There was a short silence, and she heard the squeak of his chair. “Cynthia, you do realize you inherited all her property in Hawaii, don’t you? It’s part of the trust.”

“All of it?”

Papers rustled. “Yes, you own her house on the North Shore. I understood you visited her there a few times.”

“Yes.” Her knees had gone weak, so she sat on the stool again. Max was looking at her, and he opened his mouth. She raised her hand to stop him. “Yes. I visited her there three summers prior to her death.”

“You own that, along with a little land on Maui. That has condos on it, rentals for tourists. Also, you own a small but profitable macadamia nut farm. All of these were to be transferred to you on your thirtieth birthday. I did try to contact you last week at your parents’ home, but I have since learned you moved out.”

She could almost feel the blood rush from her head, her mind spinning with the implications. “Yes, about a month ago.”

“That’s fine. I didn’t have your number, but I had my assistant search, especially after the disturbing call from your father. He was trying to sell everything. And take the money that has accumulated.”

“Accumulated?”

“Yes, as per your grandmother’s request, we took the profits from the farm, rental property, and her home—which has been rented out these past years—and invested it. You acquired it all.”

“But…she left me a trust.”

He paused as if trying to word his next comment just right. “Cynthia, I know you know there was no love lost between your grandmother and father. She had actually claimed she would disown her own daughter over the marriage, but she relented, thinking family was more important. She did not trust him, however. Your brother was given a trust also, but she claimed him to be a miniature image of your father. She refused to give him more. From what I know, he has already wasted all his money. The Hawaiian properties are part of the trust especially for you. They were to be held until your birthday, then your grandmother wanted you to take possession. She felt you needed the time to mature in order to handle the money and obligations. You just need to come by the office in Valdosta and sign some papers.”

After setting up an appointment for the next morning, Cynthia hung up. By that point, Anna had joined them, her eyes as worried as Max’s.

Anna took hold of her hands. “Cynthia. What is it?”

“I own it all.”

Both of them studied her. Then Anna said, under her breath, “She’s had some kind of shock.”

“No.” Cynthia pulled her hands free, her body finally coming back to life. “No. I’m fine. It seems there’s a reason my father mentioned the property in Hawaii.”

Walking away from them to the tray of cookies, she began to move them to the cooling rack. She needed something to keep herself busy.

“Last week I turned thirty.”

There was a beat of silence. “Yes. We know, Cynthia,” Max said in a voice that someone might use with a lunatic he was afraid of. “We threw you a party.”

She nodded, trying to gain some control over the emotions tumbling through her. Shock registered first; that was to be expected. What came next was sadness. Her parents had not only ignored her birthday, but they were trying to figure out a way to steal from her. It hurt her heart. These people were related to her, but they didn’t see her as anything other than a payday. The one thing that surprised her was the anger.

It began in her chest, white-hot and boiling. Until breaking off her engagement with Max, she’d done everything they expected. The right parties, the right boyfriends, the right friends. Can’t wear red lipstick, Cynthia; you’ll look like a tramp. You’re eating too much, Cynthia. You’ll gain weight.

And now they were trying to steal from her.

“Cynthia?” Anna approached her and pulled her into her arms when she saw the tears. “What is it?”

“I own everything my grandmother had in Hawaii. I’m apparently well off, besides the trust fund.”

She drew back, and Anna studied her. “Why are you so sad?”

“I’m not sad. I’m pissed off. He was trying to sell it off. Stealing from his own daughter, the bastard.”

“Oh, Cynthia.” Pity filled Anna’s voice, but for once Cynthia didn’t give a damn. She allowed Anna to tug her back into an embrace. And she sobbed. Loud, horrible sobs that should have embarrassed her, but she didn’t care. She was through with all the pretense, with all the lies and mistakes.

From now on, she would do what she damn well pleased.

Cynthia stared at the darkened windows of the tattoo parlor and pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. The storefront didn’t appear particularly inviting, even if it was in a nice strip mall next to a used-clothing store.

Anna leaned close and whispered in Cynthia’s ear, “It won’t bite you.”

Cynthia sighed. “I know.”

Straightening away, Anna looked at the shop, then at Cynthia. “You were the one who brought up the idea of a tattoo. I can give you another present, like a round-trip ticket to Hawaii,” she said, humor lacing her voice.

Cynthia smiled. “I know.”

“You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.”

But she wanted to. Anna had suggested a spa day just for the two of them. Cynthia had had other ideas. A tiny little spurt of rebellion that was now rapidly shrinking because she was scared of the tattoo parlor. That one thought had her straightening her shoulders.

She narrowed her eyes as she studied a young man who exited the shop. His arms were covered with an explosion of vivid colors.

“No, I don’t have to, but I want to do it.”

“Well, it’s now or never, woman.” Anna clamped her hand around Cynthia’s upper arm and tugged her down the sidewalk to the front door.

When Anna pulled the door open, a bell tinkled overhead. The sound was at odds in the shop, which was not small and dingy as she had expected. The walls were covered with pictures of tattoos, the track lighting overhead bright and almost blinding. When she glanced around the waiting area, she noticed a young couple with more interest in each other than anyone else, sitting in the corner, apparently waiting their turn.

Anna only gave Cynthia a minute to take in her surroundings before she dragged her to the counter.

“Hey, John. How’s business been?”

Someone stepped out of what Cynthia assumed was an office. A man about her age was studying both her and Anna with interest. Average height, a bit stocky, he wore one of those tops that Anna called a wife-beater shirt. He leaned against the counter. His arms decorated much like the others she’d seen earlier. She watched, fascinated by the flexing of the muscle beneath the thin fabric and the way it made the dragon painted there move.

“Hey, doll. Going pretty good, considering summer is slow for me once the college kids blow town.”

Anna nodded. “If I didn’t get some influx with the new military moves at my Valdosta shop, it would probably hurt me just as much.” She turned to Cynthia. “Cynthia, I would like you to meet John Gregory. John, Cynthia would like to get her first tattoo.”

The smile she offered him froze the moment she made eye contact with him.

“Really?” The disbelief she heard in his voice was mirrored in his eyes as he studied her. He cocked his head to one side, causing one of the streams of light to reflect on his head.

At first, she faltered. What the hell was she thinking? A Myers didn’t get a tattoo. A Myers wouldn’t know where they did tattoos let alone contemplate what she wanted printed on her ass. Her mother would keel over if she knew. Anna must have sensed Cynthia’s hesitation because she gave her a nudge.

She cleared her throat as a wave of heat filled her face. John’s lips curved into a knowing smile. The action sent indignant irritation inching down her spine. It blocked out every one of her insecurities. Being the good girl sucked, and she was sick and tired of it.

She stepped forward and smiled. “Yes. Anna told me you’re the best in the area.”

The smile he offered her was at best smarmy, at worst feral. She didn’t look like someone who would come in here, so what?

“Do you have a problem with that, Mr…er…John?”

Even she winced at the primness in her voice. Goodness, she sounded as if she were at a garden party at the country club. The urge to run started to thrum louder through her blood until John snorted and crossed his arms over his chest. The rude sound and gesture caused her impatience to increase.

“I just figured with your reputation, this might be a little out of your league.”

The fact that he knew her didn’t surprise Cynthia. In their small town, most people were familiar with the Myers family, since they employed a huge chunk of the population. Being associated with her father definitely wouldn’t win her any friends. He had a reputation of being a hard ass, firing people at will. Her mother had probably offended most working people in town, and her brother had a habit of picking fights with people he thought too weak to win.

And, truthfully, John had a point. A week ago, she would have turned with her tail between her legs and run away. But this was the new Cynthia Myers, and she was not backing down from the things she had always yearned to do. From the time she was in college, she had wanted a little bitty heart-shaped tattoo on her rear end, and, by God, it was going to happen.

Straightening her spine and stepping forward, she said, in her mother’s condescending voice, “I’ll tell you what, John , how about you let me worry about my reputation, and you get ready to draw a pretty little pink heart on my ass?”

Anna snorted behind her, but Cynthia ignored her. Lord knew she had gained the attention of the young couple because she had enunciated every word quite loudly. She kept her focus on John, whose face was as blank as newly rolled pie dough and waited for him to challenge her. If he did, she had no idea what she would say to rebut him, but she would come up with something.

Instead of giving her more crap—Anna was really becoming a bad influence on her language—John smiled. This time, though, the smile was wide and friendly, his eyes twinkling. “You got it, Cynthia.”

While the couple who had been waiting followed him back, Cynthia filled out paperwork and release forms. By the time she was laid out on a table with her butt bared, Cynthia started to regret her bravado. It was one thing to be brave in the face of criticism from a man she didn’t know. It was completely different having him study her rear.

“I think you should do another color.” Anna stood off to the right of her, apparently having no problem with the situation. Of course, it wasn’t her body on display. “I think red would be better.”

Cynthia fought back the growl that threatened to escape. “I heard you the first three times you said it.”

Anna grunted and turned around to study some books John said had tattoo pictures in them. Cynthia sighed and relaxed until John spoke again.

“I need to get the stencil on here and I can start the line work.”

“Uh-huh.”

He pressed a piece of paper against the fullest part of her right cheek and pulled it away.

“Looks good.” He turned away from her and started to assemble his tools. “Do you want to see it in a mirror, to check the placement?”

“No.”

He paused. “Are you sure you want this? Right now, this isn’t permanent.”

She hesitated and nodded. “I want the tattoo.”

“Okay. It’s your ass.”

Cynthia gritted her teeth, closed her eyes, and tried to remind herself that this was what she wanted.

“I can’t believe you took her to get a tattoo,” Max growled as he frowned at Anna.

Cynthia stifled a sigh and shifted her weight against the padded seat. Her butt was still stinging from the tattoo. Max had been in a mood since he found out where Cynthia and Anna had spent their afternoon.

“Cynthia is her own woman, Max.” Anna showed no reaction to his threatening tone as she sipped her sweet tea. Even after all the time she spent in their company, Cynthia was still amazed at how easily Anna dealt with Max.

When she noticed Max’s face turning red, she decided to step in. “It was my decision.”

He grunted. “Anna can be very persuasive.”

“Actually, Maxwell, we got off cheap. I offered Cynthia a round-trip ticket to Hawaii.”

Before Max could form a retort, the waitress showed back up to take their food orders. Once they were alone, he started in on them again. “It isn’t as if Cynthia came up with the tattoo idea on her own. You can be a bad influence.”

They continued to bicker. Cynthia watched them from across the table as a whisper of annoyance slipped down her spine. They were discussing her as if she weren’t there and had no say-so in her actions. It was just too much for someone trying her best to break free.

She cleared her throat and was ignored. The rebellious anger that had been boiling beneath her skin since she’d dumped Max bubbled over. Deciding she had heard more than enough, she interrupted them with one comment. “I’ve decided to go to Hawaii for a few months.”

Both Anna and Max stopped their argument and turned to stare at her. Truthfully, Cynthia had doubts about her decision. It wasn’t like her to make so many life-altering decisions in one day. First, she got her butt tattooed and now she was moving thousands of miles away. She might have lost her mind, but damn it felt good.

Max was the first one to gain his footing. “Months? How long?”

She shrugged. The idea of moving there permanently scared her. At the same time, she felt a thrum of excitement she hadn’t felt in quite some time.

“You can’t just pick up and move.” Max’s tone told her that he had made the decision and it would be followed.

“Actually,” she said with a defiant smile, “I can.”

Anna coughed, drawing Cynthia’s attention. A gleam of amusement twinkled in her eyes.

“She’s got you there, Max.” Anna cocked her head to one side. “What are you planning on doing when you get there…or should I ask who?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Why would you want to go there?” Max asked.

“Again, I’m not really sure. I just know that those were some of the happiest times of my life. My grandmother loved it there, and since the house is free, I figured a few months there to plan out what I want to do with the rest of my life would be good.”

Max’s frown returned. “I don’t like it.”

“Really? I wouldn’t have guessed. What I don’t understand is why you think it’s your business.”

That question caught him off guard because, for the first time in all the years she had known him, Max seemed to be at a loss for words.

“I’ve been thinking about this since last week. I want to go, it’s my choice to go, and for once in my life, I’m doing what I want to do.”

“Fantastic,” Anna said. “Have you told Chris?”

Max glowered at Anna. “Chris? Why would she tell him? She met him once at our wedding—”

“She did more than that.”

“ Anna. ” Heat crept up Cynthia’s neck. “Stop trying to bait Max.”

“You didn’t answer my question,” Max said, ignoring their byplay.

“No, you two are the first I’ve told.”

Max pursed his lips and studied her. He opened his mouth, but the waitress returned with their salads, and he again waited for her to leave.

This time, when he spoke, Max’s voice held a gentler tone. “You haven’t told your family?”

Shame and embarrassment swamped her. She had never had much of a relationship with her parents. Even as a child, she didn’t fit in with them. Her brother seemed to always know what her father wanted. No matter what he did, Randall didn’t get punished. Boys will be boys. Randall was still a boy in their eyes. He was three years older than Cynthia.

Her life had been filled with etiquette lessons, dance rehearsals, and debutante balls. Not once had anyone ever asked her if she wanted those things, they just expected it. They hadn’t cared that she’d thrown up all day before her dance performances, or that most of the young men they allowed her to date made her skin crawl. She had done it out of some kind of misguided loyalty…because they were family.

And now they wanted nothing to do with her, except the fact they wanted her money.

Shaking herself free of her depressing thoughts, she picked up her fork to dig into her salad. “No. My father is not speaking to me, you know that. Once he realized my grandmother’s properties were off limits, he probably threw a fit. You know what kind of temper he has.”

Anna reached across the table and patted her hand. “I have to say, I feel honored that you told us first. When are you planning to leave and just what the hell am I going to do without you?”

“Way to worry about Cynthia,” Max quipped.

Cynthia bit her lip and then laughed, rather loudly. “I really love you two.”

Both of them stared at her with blank expressions.

“What? You don’t believe me?”

Anna blinked rapidly. “It’s just an odd thing to hear from your husband’s ex-fiancée.”

“I do love you guys. Most of my acquaintances have disappeared, refused to return phone calls because they think I don’t have my daddy’s money. But you stuck by me.”

“Of course I did. No one can make a macadamia nut biscotti like you.”

“Anna, stop.” Max looked at Cynthia. His demeanor had calmed, and he smiled for the first time since hearing about their trip to the tattoo parlor. “She’s trying to tell you that we love you too.”

Cynthia sniffed and blinked, hoping she didn’t start crying in front of them and the whole happy hour crowd. She heard a sniffle from Anna.

Max cleared his throat. “Why don’t we discuss when and how you’re going to move over there?”

Cynthia zipped the last piece of luggage, mentally going over her checklist. She had an early start to the morning, and she really didn’t want to leave anything behind. She’d packed all her cooking gear, and Anna said she would ship that as soon as Cynthia got her mail set up. As she looked around the bedroom, she felt a bit sad about leaving. She hadn’t lived in Anna’s house long, but it held a special place in her heart. It had been the first step she’d taken for her independence.

The doorbell rang and she smiled, thinking that Anna must have decided to come back to talk more. When she opened the door, she found she’d been terribly wrong.