Page 21 of The Moment They Can Never Forgive
Ryder wore an apron around his hips and a smile, which was a permanent fixture these days since Libby had entered his life.
“Why is he frowning?” Ryder asked JD.
“Not sure, but think it has something to do with Leah Reynolds.” After that, he wandered to the display cases to inspect the baked goods.
Dan’s brother was the best baker in Lyntacky, but he wouldn’t be telling anyone else in town that.
“You saw Leah again?” Ryder asked, starting on their coffees.
“A heads-up would have been nice with regards to Cassie’s boy and her death, Ry,” Dan said.
“Zoe was meant to tell you about him and Cassie but clearly forgot,” his brother said. “But you knew Leah was back, so what’s the problem?”
There was no way he was telling them what had just gone down.
“No problem.”
Ryder looked at him. “What happened?”
“How do you know anything happened?”
“Your frown line is showing,” Ryder said. “Spill.”
“Yeah, spill,” JD added, returning with his mouth full of gooey raspberry-and-chocolate muffin.
“It’s nothing. I was just confused when I saw the kid,” Dan said. “Just leave it now.”
“Confused about what?” He saw the moment his brother got it. “You thought Hudson was yours, didn’t you?”
JD whistled.
“Easy mistake considering Hudson’s age,” Ryder said. “Tell me you didn’t confront Leah.”
Dan stayed silent, and this time Ryder whistled. “I bet that went down real well.”
“I’m not talking about this. I want coffee, and a grilled cheese, and one of those muffins like he’s got.”
“I have to make you a grilled cheese again? When are you going to move on from those and eat other shit like adults? Plenty of savory in the cases,” Ryder said, looking disgusted. “And this conversation is not done, but here in the café, where anyone can hear, is likely not the place to continue with it.”
“It’s done,” Dan said. “And I like grilled cheese sandwiches.” He’d been eating them since he was old enough to understand how good they were.
“What’s with that?” JD asked. “Who has a grilled cheese with hot sauce?”
“Me, so get to it. I’m a paying customer,” Dan told his brother.
“Oh, so you’re paying now? Goodie,” Ryder drawled.
“I’m family. I thought we got shit free?” Dan said, taking out a muffin.
“I’d go broke if that was the case,” Ryder said. “And nothing served in this place is shit.” His eyes went to the door as it opened. “And here comes Tweedle Dee,” he muttered.
Dan watched his best friend since school wander in as he grabbed a muffin. Tall, on the lanky side, he was the honorarysixth Duke and had spent much of his childhood living in their house. The man never brushed his hair, it usually needed a cut, and he wore anything he found that was clean in his closet even if it didn’t match. The only time he dressed up was when he was dealing with clients, and then usually only the top half, as that was visible on conference calls.
Jay had only recently returned to Lyntacky after years in Washington. Dan was never sure exactly what his friend did, but thought it was something that involved the government.
“He has a style all of his own,” Ryder said.
“Is that what we’re calling it?” the family’s fashionista, JD, said, looking at Jay in horror. “Because it’s a style I don’t think will catch on.”
