Page 88 of Legacy

I loved my family. We had each other no matter what, and I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen when I told them my own secret.

Across the way, I looked up and met Callum’s eyes. He’d stood by me at the funeral and then at the gravesite. Nobody had thought anything of it. After all, he was a family friend. But I wanted to run into his arms and have him tell me everything would be okay.

Instead, he just stared at me as if memorizing my face, trying to see if anything was wrong.

But everything was wrong.

“And it’s good to be back home,” Atlas said after a moment. “It’s been too long.” He stiffened at my side at the words, and I looked up at him, worried. Then I followed his gaze and realized exactly why he regretted his words.

Elizabeth stood there, her eyes wide for just a moment before she smiled at me, tearing her gaze from Atlas. In a blink, she turned back to be with Teagan and Bronwyn, another friend and longtime Ashford Creek member. And a stranger stood with them, a woman I didn’t know. Maybe she was with Gregory’s family, but as one of Kellan’s teenagers ran up to her and asked a question, I realized that it had to be Tess, the newcomer to Ashford Creek that I hadn’t met yet.

For such a small town, you would think I would have. But then again, if I hadn’t been at work or with my family, I’d been with Callum, hiding within our homes because we craved each other.

I needed to get out into town more. To live like I wanted Gregory to live.

Keely wasn’t here as she had to be at the bed and breakfast, but Promise had been able to come and stood near Finnian, the two of them speaking in low voices. Thatcher, still in uniform, spoke with Kellan..

The town had shown up for Gregory. Even Gray had come back to town, and I knew he would head back out with Atlas because they each had games on the road soon. But we were all there. The Carters, the Ashfords, and our friends that we had turned into family along the way.

But the man who had trusted me with everything was gone.

And I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do with that.

“You okay?” Rune asked softly, and for a moment, I thought he was speaking to me. But then I realized that Atlas still hadn’t moved from his spot.

“What? Yeah. I’m fine. Just thinking about what I need to do before I head out.”

I looked at Rune, and neither one of us believed him.

“She’s not seeing anyone right now, at least I don’t think,” Rune whispered, his voice low. Yet it was deep enough that I was afraid it would carry.

If possible, Atlas stiffened even more. “Well, I guess I should go.”

“Oh, Atlas. You don’t have to go,” my mom whispered. “Stay. Let’s go get coffee. Before you really have to go on the road.”

Atlas gave one last look behind her before facing our mom. “No, I need to head out. I love you. I’m going to miss the old man.” He kissed my mother on the cheek, hugged Dad and Rune separately, and then came to me.

“Atlas.”

He shook his head. “Be good, little sister. And maybe tell the others?” he asked, that scarred brow raised.

My eyes widened, and I refused to look over at Callum.

“How? I mean. Okay.”

“I have the power of observation. And I’ve been away long enough that I noticed a difference.”

“How come you get to be mysterious and talk about things like that, but I don’t get to?” I ask, purposely not looking over to our left.

Atlas’s jaw tightened. “Because some things are old news. Broken things. But other ones? Others better not break things.”

I shook my head, getting what he was saying, even though he was trying to be way too subtle. I kissed his cheek, held him close, and watched as he walked away, noticing I wasn’t the only one.

Elizabeth gave me a small smile and then moved on to speak to one of her students.

I let out a breath and turned to my family. “I’m going to go head to the office. If that’s okay?”

“You don’t need to work today, baby.” My mom moved forward, hand outstretched. “Come back with us.”