17. Fisher
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
fisher
“Well, look what the cat dragged in.” Flora leans forward, resting her elbows on the butcher-block counter.
If I bother to look away from the donuts in the glass case, I’m sure I’ll be met with an eyeful of cleavage. But I have no interest. Wish she would take a freaking hint.
“I put two double chocolate donuts aside in case you came.”
They’re Sutton’s favorites, and the spot in the case where they usually sit is empty, so despite how much I don’t want to be, I’m grateful for the annoying woman.
“Wasn’t sure you’d be in,” she continues in that high-pitched nasally voice that makes me wish I’d brought my noise-canceling headphones.
“Always here on Ruckus donut days,” I grumble.
Sutton wouldn’t let me miss it. Her big blue eyes would go dull, just like they did the day of the funeral.
And that helpless sensation would wash over me.
My job is to make her happy, to make sure she lives her best life.
If that means I drag my ass to this shop and deal with Flora, then so be it. Every Thursday and Sunday.
“Hey, Sheriff.” Cank steps through the door, pulling his hat from his head. He tucks it into the pocket of his overalls and pulls out a dog treat. “Where’s my boy?”
“Home.” I didn’t love leaving the girls, but I adjusted my camera settings and turned on notifications, so my phone will alert me if anyone even steps onto my grass. Bing is the extra level of protection, so I left him behind.
“Saw you dancing with Libby last night.” Cank waggles his brows as he holds Bing’s treat out to me.
I keep my expression flat. The last thing I need is the gossip mill working overtime.
“Now that the island knows you dance, I’m sure your card will be full every Saturday.” Flora taps my arm with a bag. “You’ll have to save me a dance next week.”
I frown. “Doubt I’ll dance again.” I take the bag but set it on the counter between us. “I need a few extras today.” I try not to scowl. “Please.”
“Got some company, huh?” Cank chuckles as he pats my shoulder. “I bet someone will be a happy man this summer.”
I heave out a sigh and consider faking an emergency to get the fuck out of here.
Flora crosses her arms, one brow arched, waiting.
Right, the donuts. I’m not sure if Libby likes chocolate, so I figured I’d get a variety.
I should have looked on that stupid site Sutton found that listed all of Libby’s favorite things.
I can’t very well ask Flora to wait while I look it up on my phone.
Not without making this encounter even more uncomfortable.
So with a deep inhale, I point at the case.
“Can I have one espresso cream, one Berkshire maple, one tiramisu, and one strawberry shortcake?”
“Oh, you’re having Wilder over.” Flora beams as she eases a donut into the bakery box she’s pulled out for my ridiculously large order. “That man can eat his weight in donuts. Give him my love.”
With a grunt, I take the box. I have no idea why she thinks Wilder is coming, nor am I giving him anyone’s love.
“By the way, Sheriff.” Cank shifts, his boots scuffing the old wooden floors. “There are a few packages over on the Boothbay dock waiting for pickup. Apparently, Ms. Sweet ordered some stuff from Amazon.”
I sigh. Libby hasn’t mentioned ordering anything, but if I know her, she probably assumes the magic ferries that have yet to show up with her luggage will also deliver the packages.
“I’ll take care of it.” I tap my card against the reader, and the second approved flashes on the screen, I stomp out.
Keeping my eyes down and a scowl on my face, I hurry down the street. If I look cranky enough, there’s a good chance no one will stop me. It’s summer vacation, and with Sutton out of school, I don’t even have enough words for her, let alone anyone else.
Maybe I’ll have her FaceTime with my parents this afternoon.
My mother loves chatting with her. I sometimes wonder why my brother didn’t leave his perfect little sweet pea with them.
But they had been down in Florida at a fifty-five plus community for two years when he passed.
Even if Hunter had been open to Sutton growing up in Florida, they would have had to move.
Instead, they come up for a couple weeks every year.
Bing perks up from where he’s lounging on the porch. His presence outside means Libby’s awake. He rushes down the steps and circles my legs as I trek through the half-dead grass. The lack of rain this summer isn’t doing the lawn any favors.
“Yea, I have your treat.” I’ve barely got it out of my pocket before he snatches it out of my hand. “You act like you haven’t eaten in a year.” My hand is on the screen door handle when Sutton’s voice filters out.
“No. He won’t even open the door, but everything inside is exactly like they left it.”
I wince. She has to be talking about her parents’ room. I shut the door the day I moved in and haven’t opened it a single time since. Sutton knows she’s free to go in, free to use the room. But I’m living enough of my brother’s life. I can’t take over his room too.
“Do you go in there because it makes you feel closer to them?” Libby’s voice is gentle, careful.
“I don’t remember them. Not really.” Sutton pauses. “Maybe small things, like how Dad smelled like the ocean. And Mom’s laugh. But that’s it.” When she falls silent again, I lean closer to the door, my chest aching. “Is that bad?”
Silently, I watch them. They’re curled up together, and Libby is running her fingers lightly through Sutton’s blond hair.
“No, pretty girl,” she almost whispers. “That’s just what happens. Time goes on and memories fade. I hardly remember my mom. That’s why I’m here this summer, even if no one wants me here. I stay because this island holds my last memories of her.”
“ I’m glad you’re here. I don’t know anyone else who’s lost their parents. It’s nice to have someone to talk to about it.”
“I’m always here to talk pretty girl.” Libby rests her head against the top of my niece’s.
Guilt rises in my throat. I wasn’t thrilled when I found out she’d be here for the summer, and I was anything but welcoming when she got here.
She’s being threatened by a costar and tormented by someone trying to scare her off the island, and all she wants is to spend time in the place that holds memories of her mother.
On top of all that, she’s made time for Sutton without complaint.
Damn, I’m a jerk. That changes now. Libby won’t stay past September, but while she’s here, I will make sure she knows she’s wanted every day. And not just by Sutton and me.
I’ve already spoken with Doris who, moving forward, will order anything Libby wants without so much as a frown, and if she can’t get something, she’ll come to me.
I’ll pick up Libby’s packages, and I’ll make sure the dock hand in Boothbay has my cell so I’m alerted if she orders more.
And I will have a sit-down with anyone who doesn’t actively work to make Libby smile.
I clear my throat, then step through the door. “Donuts have arrived.”
Sutton pops up and tosses her arms in the air. “Yes!” She dances in a circle. “You got double chocolate, right?”
“Two of them. And I got one of everything else so you two can have a donut party.” I force a cheerful tone, though by the way they both freeze and stare at me, I fear I’ve missed the mark.
“What’s wrong with you?” Sutton frowns.
“Huh?”
“I don’t know.” She purses her lips. “You sound like you sucked air from a balloon or something.”
I scoff, heat creeping up my neck. “No, I don’t.”
“Not anymore. It was just that weird voice before. Don’t do that again.” She skips over, takes the box from my hands, and wanders to the table. “Come on, Libby. Which one do you want?”
The woman I can’t stop thinking about pushes to her feet and pads over to Sutton. “I don’t know if I want Flirty Donuts.”
The fuck?
“They’re Ruckus Donuts. Everyone loves them.”
“I think she means because Flora is always being…” With her hands tucked under her chin, my niece bats her eyes and makes a kissy face.
“According to Sutton, the donut lady is always flirting with you.” Libby averts her gaze, her lips pulling down, almost like she’s pouting. Like she’s jealous .
My chest swells at the idea, and the corners of my lips turn up. I don’t get to enjoy the feeling long, though, before Sutton whirls on me.
“Don’t even try to deny it.” She wags a finger my way, then cups her mouth and stage whispers, “And he doesn’t even stop it.”
Lips pursed, Libby crosses her arms over her chest.
What the hell? I came in trying to be nice, and now I’m in the hot seat. I don’t even like the freaking woman. She makes my skin crawl. I can’t say that now, though, because Sutton, a.k.a. the worst secret keeper in the world, will tell the entire town.
“That’s not true. I’ve tried to stop her. But there are only four of us within flirting age for her on this island. I’m sure she flirts with Wilder too.”
Sutton rolls her eyes, making her look sixteen rather than eight. “Everyone flirts with Wilder. He’s everyone’s favorite.”
Libby chuckles, and when I scowl at her, she puts both hands up. “I don’t flirt with your bestie.”
That wasn’t what I meant. Whatever.
“Eat the damn donuts.” I point at the table and huff. I try to be nice, and they gang up on me.
Libby drops into the seat next to Sutton and picks up the Berkshire maple pastry.
“That’s your friend’s donut,” Sutton says as she picks up a double chocolate for herself. “Joey Berkshire. They send the donut people their maple syrup. Everyone loves those.”
“Everything the Berkshires make is amazing.” Libby takes a bite, and the moan that leaves her lips sends blood rushing to my dick.
Fuck, I’d love to hear that sound when I have her spread out in front of me.
“This is heaven.” She licks her lip. Jesus, I swear I can feel it. Like she’s running her tongue along my skin.
I shake myself out of my haze. “I thought you weren’t going to eat my donuts.”
“Is that a smile, Fisher?” Libby taunts, her eyes sparkling. “Should I take another bite and see if you can do it again?” She brings the doughy goodness to her mouth again. “Do you like watching me eat?”
With a grumble, I spin and head for the door. The girls giggle behind me, but as I step outside, I can’t help but smile.