Chapter 16

Wandering down the main street of Lyntacky, Phoebe peered into shops. She was searching for a desk, which she had just the perfect spot for in the cottage. It gave her a view of the gardens she was going to bring back to life.

Phoebe had moved in and would like to say she was at peace. That would be a big fat lie considering that kiss she'd shared with Brody.

She'd cursed herself for the weakness and then cursed him. She'd then hardened her resolve to never allow it to happen again. She was not a slow learner normally, but it seemed ten years had not entirely squashed the feelings Phoebe had for one Brody Duke.

"You should have told me. I would have sent you a desk," the man at her side said.

"I don't need you to buy me a desk, Jonathan."

He'd arrived yesterday and come to the cottage and spent hours organizing everything inside it to where he thought it should go. He then color coordinated her closet. Phoebe didn't mind because she hated doing that stuff. Besides, she'd just move it to where she wanted it to go when he left.

Shorter than her, Jonathan Smith had a large personality and loved her brother. For that alone, she'd forgive him just about anything. A family lawyer, he dealt with a lot of heartbreak but managed to stay happy whenever she saw him.

He dressed like Caleb, with style, and had an opinion about everything, also like Caleb. He was one of the most ruthlessly organized people she'd ever met… and not, according to her brother, in a good way.

"I can pick my own desk, Jonathan. You head to Calloway's for the supplies you need to make the pulled pork nachos you promised Dad."

"I have enough time to come shopping with you too. Now tell me what's bothering you, Phoebe"

"We're in Lyntacky, so you know that there isn't a lot of shopping to do here, Jonathan, and nothing is bothering me," she lied.

"Larry Limpet, if I've told you once, I've told you thirty-two times! Move the feet God gave you!"

They were passing the rotunda and grassed area where the town often held events. A group of locals were dancing, which wasn't unusual.

"We've got those championships here soon, and the only thing you'll be fit for is fixing the tea!"

These words had come from Sybil Maynard, who was the administrator at the police station. She was dancing with Larry Limpet… or attempting to if the one-sided conversation they'd just heard was any indication.

"Is that man wearing reinforced-toe boots?" Jonathan said, pointing to Larry.

While the others were in their dancing clothes, Larry wore bib overalls and a checkered shirt, and yes, on his feet were work boots.

"You said you were bored, Larry, and wanted to try new things. Perhaps you could make more of an effort?" Sybil exclaimed.

Larry hunched his shoulders, and Phoebe saw his lips move but no sound came out, but he took the hand Sybil held out and moved again when the music started.

"I want to grow old here," Jonathan said when they started walking again. "Who is Larry Limpet?"

Phoebe filled him in on the details of the man's bakery that now belonged to Ryder Duke.

"One of the infamous Dukes," Jonathan said.

"Like I said to Caleb, I'm not discussing the subject anymore with either of you."

Jonathan mimed zipping his lips shut. She didn't believe him for a second.

Phoebe stopped outside Petticoat Homeware next. This was Zoe Duke's now, and she'd wanted to look inside since her return. Now was clearly that time.

"I know you, girl. Something is off," Jonathan said, tenacious as ever.

"No, it's not. Now come on. This place is under new ownership, and the woman who owns it is an amazing interior designer."

"Really?" That caught his interest.

"Really." Phoebe entered with him behind her. She'd come into the shop many times over the years before Zoe took it over, and it was always a mismatch of things jammed into spaces, but not now. It was organized and looked inviting.

"Hey, Phoebe," Zoe said, walking toward her. She was a feminine version of her brothers. Dressed in loose trousers and a shirt, she looked lovely with her dark hair up in a high tail.

"Hi, Zoe. Not sure if you've met Jonathan before."

"Once, I think. Hi."

"I love the look of your shop," he said.

"Well then, let me take you on a tour," Zoe said.

Phoebe tagged behind them until a rack of throw blankets caught her eye. She wandered in that direction, deciding a new one for the sofa in the cottage would be nice.

"Well, well, well, Miss New York is back in town."

Phoebe straightened at the words. Turning, she found Sydney Jane behind her. They'd hated each other at five years old when they'd both shown up in class wearing the same dress, and not much had changed by the look on her face.

"SJ, how are things?" She wore a short denim skirt and crop top that showed off her flat stomach, and her hair hadn't changed in style or color since Phoebe had left Lyntacky years ago.

"Real good."

"What are you doing with yourself these days?"

She was a beautiful woman, although now there were a few more lines from the hard living Phoebe had heard about. SJ liked men and drinking. She partied like she was still a teenager and had slept with most of the locals in town. It wasn't Phoebe's right to judge what anyone did. If it made SJ happy, then go her. But surely living that life had to be tiring on the body and the soul eventually.

"I've got an online business," SJ said.

"That's awesome. What are you selling?"

"I'm a consultant."

"For what? "

SJ leaned into Phoebe's space. "What's it matter to you what I do?"

"Just being friendly," Phoebe said. "That's what you do when you haven't seen someone in years."

"Yeah, well, I don't need a friend like you. And don't think you can walk back into town and take up with Brody either. He's not interested in you." Her mouth twisted into a snarl.

"Good to know," Phoebe said calmly.

"Phoebe?"

"Hi, Finch," she said to the man now standing beside SJ. The oldest McAllister, he was in the Air Force, and they'd caught up a few times when he'd visited Blue in New York.

"Hi, Finch. You remember me, Sydney Jane? I was friends with Blue Jay in school."

SJ was all smiles now, even though she and Blue Jay had fought over just about everything during their school life. Her eyes were doing a slow survey over Finch—a fact that seemed to amuse him. Phoebe guessed the man was good to look at, but he didn't make her heart beat faster.

"What is it you do now?" SJ asked.

"I'm in the Air Force."

"Well then," SJ purred. "Thank you for your service, and if you need anything while you're here, you let me know."

"Thanks, but I have plenty of people looking after me. See you back at the farm, Phoebe," he said, turning from SJ.

SJ glared at Phoebe and then flounced away.

"Who was that fascinating woman?" Jonathan arrived with Zoe.

"Sydney Jane," Phoebe said. "She looked like that in school. "

"Was she a mean girl?"

"Yes," Zoe and Phoebe said together.

"What are you in here looking for exactly, Phoebe?" Zoe asked.

"A desk, but I know I'm not going to get one, so I'll take this lilac throw instead."

"I agree with that choice," Jonathan said.

"I would have purchased it even if you didn't."

"Oooh, I might have just the perfect desk for you, Phoebe!" Zoe said, now scrolling through her phone. "Here, look at this."

The desk was dark wood and looked authentically old. It had drawers down both sides, and Phoebe loved it instantly.

"Yes, please." She clapped her hands together.

"I'll organize for you to go see it now at Brody's if you have the time?" Zoe asked, unaware she'd just plunged Phoebe's heart to her toes.

"Great, but surely he's working?" she said with forced excitement.

"Hang on, I'll call," Zoe said, wandering away.

"Her brother is Brody Duke… the Brody Duke?" Jonathan's voice had risen in excitement. "I'm coming with you to view it. Your father can wait for his nachos."

"He and Ally are home and said to head over. Last house on the right before Sawyer's, if you didn't already know that," Zoe said returning.

"How much does he want for it?"

"I'm not sure, but Brody will let you know."

Phoebe studied Zoe, but her face held no sly look. This was just something she was doing for a friend and had nothing to do with the history between her and Brody. You can do this for that desk.

"Thanks, Zoe. "

"No worries. What are you doing after?" Zoe asked.

"Going back to the cottage," Phoebe said.

"I'm shutting the shop and meeting Nina and Cill at the Rollaway. Girls' night," she said. "You should come along. It'll be fun."

"Cill invited me, but I'm on a writing deadline, so?—"

"Oh, go for pity's sake," Jonathan said. "You need to enjoy yourself more. Go with the pretty lady."

"Aww, thanks," Zoe said.

"What does a girls' night entail exactly?" Phoebe asked.

"Well, there are women only," Zoe said dryly. "Dee hires guys as bar staff. Good music, dancing, and there are these weird cocktails that taste really good but look like something a unicorn would drink."

"I'd probably just go for that alone," Phoebe said.

"Me too," Jonathan said.

"Good. Let's do it then. Now go look at the desk and then head to the Rollaway, and I'll see you there!"

"I like that girl," Jonathan said as they left the shop. "Now let's meet this ass?—"

"Man about a desk," Phoebe said, interrupting him. "You will not make a scene, and you will behave."

"Of course. I can do that." His evil smile told her different.

After picking up the nacho fixings, Phoebe drove them to where the Dukes all lived and told herself that she could do this again. She'd kissed other men in New York, and Brody was just another man… with a complex set of issues attached to him.

Passing through the trees, she saw the first home on the right. "That's their uncle's place. He's the town's chief of police." Phoebe then went on to explain that the next house, a large family home, was where the Dukes were raised.

"I bet it was a wonderful place to grow up in."

She'd spent a lot of hours inside that house when she was Brody's girlfriend and loved every minute. It had been full of noise, and there was always someone doing something and asking Phoebe to join in.

Phoebe murmured her agreement as they drove past. The next drive was Brody's. Parking, she stopped when Jonathan's hand touched hers.

"Are you okay?"

"Of course," she said far too quickly. "I told both you and Caleb I'm a big girl, and that business with Brody is over and done with."

"If you say so, now let's go look at a desk," Jonathan said.

The house was single story and L-shaped with a natural stone and wood exterior. Phoebe saw lots of windows as she walked up to the front door. It opened before she knocked.

"Hi, Ms. Stanway." Ally stood there smiling, dressed in a T-shirt with splotches of color all over it and pink shorts.

"Did you do that?" Jonathan asked, pointing to the shirt.

Ally nodded. "I'm really good at designing things. I'm making Dad a coffee. Do you both want one?"

"Ah—"

"That would be great," Jonathan cut her off. "Want some help?"

"Okay. Dad's out back getting the desk ready for you, Ms. Stanway. Just take the path, and you'll find him."

Phoebe watched Jonathan disappear inside before she could stop him. Seeing as she had no other option, she took the path to the rear of the house. Phoebe saw the building set back from the property. The door was open, so she headed toward it. She could do this, be polite and act like that kiss hadn't happened.

"Brody?" Phoebe said, stepping into the doorway.

She heard a loud bang coming from behind a wall. "Fuck… sorry. Ah, head back to the house, and I'll meet you there, Phoebe!"

She didn't move, instead letting her eyes drift around the walls. In simple black frames were caricatures. Lots and lots of them. Phoebe stepped inside and moved closer.

She heard a loud crash and then curses, and then Brody was standing in front of her.

"You need to leave. Get out of here now, Phoebe." The only word for his expression was "panic." It rooted her to the spot because she'd never seen him look that way before.

"What's wrong? Are you hurt?" Her eyes ran over his body, but he looked his usual vital, handsome self in old cutoffs and a T-shirt. But it was the fist clenched at his side that drew her eyes. "Brody, what's going on?"

"Look, you made it clear you don't want to be friends… or anything. So, let's do that." Panic came off him in waves.

Phoebe looked at the drawings again and then back at him. "Are these yours?"

He exhaled loudly, and she had her answer.