“I can’t do that. Sean’s already hurt…angry because he doesn’t know what was going on. Adam was good at hiding it, and I wanted to keep it that way. All Sean knows is his dad is gone and I made him go away. I can’t uproot him from the kids he’s gone to school with for years, move him to the city when he’s spent his whole life living in the country.”
Holden cursed again. Sighed. Understood. He didn’t want Sean to lose any more than he’d already lost either. “I’ll be there as soon as I can, okay? I need to figure out some shit at work. Is this a good number for you? I can call you back on it?”
“Yeah, it’s my cell, but I can’t…I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You didn’t ask, and you know I’m coming, little sister. There’s no way you can talk me out of it.”
She started crying again, thanking him over and over, apologizing, telling him she loved him. All Holden could think of was how much he’d let her down, even introducing her to his old friend, bringing Adam into their lives and letting her slip away.
A selfish part of him was pissed too—that he had to go to her, that he had to go back to the same kind of small town that as a child he’d wanted nothing except to escape from.
When they hung up, he didn’t have to turn to know Vince stood in the doorway behind him.
Holden pulled the other chair out so Vince could sit.
“Who was that?” Vince asked.
“My sister.”
“Your what? Jesus Christ, Holden. You have a sister? How in the fuck did I not know you have a sister?”
“I haven’t seen her in eight years. She cut ties with me.”
“That doesn’t mean you couldn’t have talked about her.” He rubbed a hand over his face.
“Sorry.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m just in shock, is all. What’s going on?”
“Something with her husband. He left…and she needs me. I have to go.”
“Where?”
“North Carolina.”
“Yikes.”
“You can say that again.” Holden leaned back in the chair, closed his eyes. This was such a fucking mess. “I don’t know how long I’ll be gone. If you want out, I’ll understand.”
“Holden…let’s not pretend we have a typical relationship. You’re my boyfriend, but we’re not… Hell, it’s normal for me to go two weeks without seeing you like we just did. We don’t talk every day. We do our own thing. You going to North Carolina isn’t going to be much different than what we do now, which works for both of us. We both like our space. Plus, it’s not like you won’t be coming back.”
“Fuck no. I’m definitely coming back. I can’t handle that small-town shit.”
“I’m fine with keeping the status quo if you are.”
Holden looked at him and nodded. “Yeah, I’m good.” It was perfect with Vince. Easy.
“Damn, man. Small-town North Carolina. Sorry about your luck.”
Holden laughed, even though he didn’t feel like it. He didn’t like any of this at all, but he would do it. He would do it because Marilee needed him and that was all that mattered.
CHAPTER THREE
Monroe
“Roe, tell me you got some baby chicks ready to go? I also need calcium for the goats.”
Roe looked up at the sound of the voice to see Leland Williams, one of the regulars at Covington Supply Co. Leland was in his sixties, born and raised in Harmony like most locals. It was rare for someone to move there from elsewhere unless they had family in the area, though it was happening a little more in Chelsea and Everett. People moving in from out of state, looking for less expensive land—and driving up the cost for the locals in the process. Roe figured it would get worse. Asheville was pricey, which made Harmony a prime location, not being too far from the popular destination.
“Yes, sir,” Roe replied. “Perfect timing on the chicks. They’re ready to go as of yesterday.”
Roe led Leland back to where the chickens were kept. Covington Supply Co was the perfect one-stop shop. They sold feed, grain, and other livestock needs, as well as food and supplies for pets. They also carried lawn, garden, and farm supplies and had a nursery out back. He was the only business in Briar County that kept everything someone would need in one location, so they often got foot traffic from the whole county.
He and Leland chatted while they took care of his chick needs. Roe told him they’d be held for him while he finished up his shopping, then got back to work. It was a long day at the store, and he wondered if he might need to hire someone else, at least part-time to help before summer got into full swing.
He worked until five, made sure the closing-shift manager was set, then headed out to his truck. He considered making a stop at Harmony BBQ. He loved the smoky taste, but even though Harmony had the best barbecue in Briar County by his estimate, there was nothing like cooking at home, so he decided he’d rather get his grill going instead.
He did, however, make a quick stop at Small Town Bean, the local coffee shop. Roe didn’t do all that sweet coffee with tons of flavors in it, but he did have a bit of a sweet tooth, and they made the best cinnamon rolls he’d ever had. They made some with pecans too, which they got from a North Carolina pecan farm. The rolls were a town favorite until the fall, when everyone wanted apple doughnuts, turnovers, and cider from his family’s farm.
“Evenin’, ma’am,” Roe said to the young woman behind the counter. He’d never seen her at Small Town Bean, but he knew she was April and Freddy Lewis’s daughter. He’d gone to school with Freddy. That was the way things were in Harmony. Everyone knew everyone, even if they didn’t really.
“Hey, Mr. Covington. What can I get for you?”
“I’ll take six pecan cinnamon rolls.” He wasn’t going to eat them all himself. He could share with Wyatt, Lindsey, or even Marilee and Sean.
She boxed up the treats for him. Roe paid, left a generous tip, and then was on his way again.
It was a twelve-minute drive home from the coffeehouse. When he pulled up, Marilee was just getting out of her older Toyota, a car that had definitely seen better days. She had bags of groceries from Bunny’s. She stopped when she saw him, so Roe hurried out of his truck. “Here, let me help you.”
“No, I got it. Thanks. You already do enough for me.”
He waved off her concern. “Not doin’ a damn thing other than renting out a cabin that’s just sitting here anyway.”
Marilee nodded, but Roe could tell she disagreed. Still, he didn’t insist or take the bags from her. That was the kind of shit Lindsey would kick his ass for. It was okay to help, but if she didn’t want it, she had that right. She wasn’t helpless.
As they made their way toward the cabin, she said, “Listen, I wanted to thank you for the other night. I clearly needed to vent.”
“No worries. We all get that way. It’s been a tough spell for you.” That was putting it mildly.
“Also…I took your advice and called Holden.” They reached the porch, and she set her bags down. Roe waited, hoping it’d gone well. “He, um…he was happy to hear from me. Despite everything, he was glad I called, and he’s doing the most Holden thing possible. He’s dropping everything to come here and help me out.”