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“’Night Anya. Maybe I’ll see you around?”

“Bet.”

Out of things to say, I headed home, kicking myself for my vague invitation. My game was rusty at best. Criminally underwhelming at worst. And I was reading a hell of a lot into a gift certificate. If I asked Violet directly, she’d probably roast my balls into chestnuts. But if I made a move on Anya without her blessing, she could fill my shampoo bottle with Nair. My sister might be quiet, but we couldn’t grow up around Gran and not learn the fine art of revenge.

Worrying about payback took a backseat to the real question: was Anya even interested? Maybe the gift certificate would help me test the waters. At worst, it might make her more comfortable around me. She’d have all the power.

Once she saw me with my ass in the air, making a complete fool of myself, I might seem more approachable. Maybe then she’d see me differently. No longer Violet’s grouchy older brother, but her humble student, unable to touch his toes.

A light burned in the living room at the farm. I dropped my keys and wallet on the entry table quietly, hoping to sneak by without an interrogation. The joys of living at home in your thirties. All the responsibility and none of the privacy.

“Andrew Garrison Fenwick.”

Dashing upstairs as if I hadn’t heard her would be cowardly. And if I thought going bald was bad, evading Gran could mean something far worse.

“Hi, Gran. How was your evening?” She sat in the recliner, a crone on her throne, her crown of hot pink hair limning her in an aura of badassery.

“Boring.” She gave me a pitying look. “But not as bad as yours if you’re home this early.”

“Gran, it’s after nine,” I protested, not sure why I bothered.

She tutted. “You’ve been past the age of curfew for more than a decade. Live a little. Fulfill the promise of the Fenwick family motto.”

“Go big or go home? I’ll leave being larger than life to you. You do it so well.” I kissed her wrinkled cheek, trying to win her over with the smidge of charm I’d inherited from our dad.

“Nudus currere et loqui sordida.” She pronounced it as if I should know what it meant. “Go big or go home was for your brother. I’ve decided each of you need your own motto. Look it up. Thank me later.”

Done sharing her sage advice, she ignored me, returning to her book.

I trudged upstairs. To Google or not to Google? Last time Gran had given me something to look up, I’d gotten an eyeful of dicks for my obedience.No thank you.

Chapter 4 – Anya

I’d expected to have nightmares, but I rolled out of bed Sunday after a restful night. Maybe it had something to do with chatting with Drew last night. It was the most we’d ever talked. Vi and I spent enough time hanging out at Harbor Brews that I was used to Zach’s easy charm. Drew was more of a mystery. Where Zach was an endearing tease, blond and dimpled, his older brother was a serious man. Almost standoffish. Too busy with the farm and his business to swing by for coffee.

I’d run into him a handful of times when he made deliveries to Vi at her shop. He was always polite but distant. And I told myself I liked it that way. He was too perceptive by half. His deep brown gaze made me want to confess to crimes I hadn’t even committed yet. It pulled an answering honesty and forthrightness from me that could spell death to my life here. Women with secrets didn’t belong with men who could smell a lie at a hundred paces.

“Morning,” Violet greeted me, her mug raised.

“You disappeared early last night. Everything okay?”

She smiled, a pitiful little attempt that made my heart clutch. “Just sad.”

“Drew said he didn’t know Jordan well. Were you friends?”

“No, but his wife and I went to school together. Jia’s in the Coast Guard. Losing her husband would be devastating any time, but if she gets deployed… those poor kids.”

“I can’t imagine. Maybe we can make up some casseroles or a lasagna and take them out to her?”

Violet brightened. “That’s a great idea. I think part of what I’m struggling with is the powerlessness. Taking food is at least one concrete way to help.”

“I’ll pick up ingredients after my last class. You’re working a shift at the store today?”

She nodded. “Open to close. Mom covered for me yesterday, but she and Dad leave for a trip today, and I need to get back into my normal routine.” Her expression turned mischievous. “You and Drew looked cozy last night at the sink.”

“He was very helpful.” I said it as neutrally as possible. The last thing I needed to do was give Violet ideas. I’d steadfastly avoided dating since arriving in town. Breaking my solo streak with my roommate’s brother was a lousy way to keep myself safe. Even if his dark eyes made me want to spill my secrets and drop my delicates.

“Did you see we made the news?”