Page 12 of Legacy of Lies
“What? No answer?” She lifted her hand. “Actually, why don’t you use that lie-detector power on yourself? Because your nose is growing, Pinocchio.”
“Shel—”
“Can it. You know when you’ve been beat.” Good point. After turning off the burners, Shelby pointed a wooden spoon at him. “So? Going to ask her out? Sara Lopez seemed like a nice kid in high school, minus some brushes with the law. But who doesn’t have some kind of past, right?”
“No, I’m not asking anyone out. And what the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“One bad decision does not a character make. Wouldn’t you agree?”
When she gave him that stare, broken up by some winces, it unnerved him, mostly because he could tell she was filtering his emotions the whole time. Anytime the Taggart siblings used their powers, it hurt, and Shelby was no exception.
“So?”
“So what?” he spat.
“Are you going to ask her out or what?”
“No. I have things to do here. And with Zach, there’s no time ... I’m still waiting to see if he’s going to develop an ability.”
“I don’t think so. We all had ours by his age.”
“Good. No kid can function normally with our family’s weird powers.”
“Uh, I manage fine.” Shelby wrinkled her nose.
“You think avoiding close relationships isfine?”
She didn’t meet his eyes but raised her hand when he opened his mouth. “Shut it, big brother, or I’ll spill to everyone else about you and teacher.”
“Doesn’t matter, Shel. I’m never going to do anything about any feelings I might or might not have. Besides, there’s too much work to be done here.”
“You’re kidding, right?” Lifting her hand, palm in, she presented three raised fingers. She lowered one finger at a time. “First, you have help: us. Second, you need to get out there. Date. Go, be a regular guy. Enjoy.” Only her middle finger remained extended. “Third, you’ve been a zombie since Tiffani left. And that was even before she left a year ago.”
Well played, little sis.
He bit off a curse. “I wouldn’t say ‘zombie,’ Shel.”
“Get back in the game. Take a chance. Ask pretty teacher out. You might enjoy it.”
“You’re one to talk, avoiding—”
She hissed and pressed her lips together as Zach strolled into the kitchen, tugging Austin Taggart behind him.
With a groan, their father eased himself into the chair at the head of the table. He patted his belly; it was still only a small paunch. “Smells great, Shelby.” The ranch work kept him fit, though he had slowed down considerably after Mom died.
She grinned and laid her apron on the counter. “It’ll taste great, too. Zach, come get this plate.”
They set the food out on the table, and for a minute, the only sound was the clank of serving spoons on bowls and the scrape of forks on plates.
After a few bites, Garrison looked up. “Did you get the back forty fence repaired, Dad?”
His dad ruffled Zach’s hair. “Sure did. Your boy was a big help today, too.”
Zach’s beaming smile had orange cheese smeared all over it. Garrison fought the urge to wipe his son’s face.
At his father’s quick frown, Garrison tensed. “Did you find the lost cattle?”
He flicked a glance at Zach, who was busy creating orange tracks with his fork.
