Twist of Fate Louise, Tia (read dune .txt) 📖

“Ha. Your success story.” I’d shaken my head. “I secreted all the way back to being cast in big-budget films, but what good is it if I’m alone?”

“That’s a question I can’t answer, Padawan. You must chase down your fate and make her your bitch.”

“Is that the official line?”

He slapped me on the back. “No, but you’ll do it anyway. Good luck, friend.”

Which brings me here, back to Fireside. Mr. Single Guy. All alone.

“Anybody with eyes would know you’re not gay.” Gran’s still fussing as I hand her a clean dish to dry.

I give her a gentle nudge with my elbow. “It’s not something you can tell by looking at people.”

“Well, of course it isn’t!” Her fussing makes me smile. It’s the sound of home and comfort. “I’m talking about the way you followed that little Sales girl around all through high school and even when you came back from college. Anybody could see you weren’t gay.”

Energy surges in my chest at the mention of Daisy. “We were just friends, Gran.”

“Just friends.” She makes a little pfft sound as she sets the final dish aside and turns to face me. “Then what are you doing here? John said you’re in that new Chuck Norris film. Why aren’t you back in Hollywood being a big movie star?”

“It’s Chris Nolan, Gran. Not Chuck Norris. They’re two totally different people.”

“Don’t change the subject.” She points her bony finger at me. “Why are you back in Fireside?”

Because after watching my brother’s life implode then watching him build a new one even better than the one he’d had before, I’m ready to do the same. If it’s still possible.

The last time I was here, I heard Daisy had opened a store in Oceanside Village. I also learned her father had died suddenly. I’d wanted to go to her, but J.R. needed me in California. He needed me to help with Jesse, and it couldn’t wait.

Now I want to find her, see if she got married or if she’s seeing someone. I want to know why we lost touch, why she isn’t traveling, make sure she’s okay. I want to know if there’s a chance we could be more than just friends.

I don’t say any of that to my grandmother.

Instead, I lean down and wrap my arms around her waist. “Somebody needs a hug.”

I lift her off her feet, and she immediately starts squawking.

“Bradley Scout! Put me down this instant. You’ll give me a hernia.” She slaps my arms, and I lower her to her feet again. “You’re just as wild as you ever were.”

“And you’re just as fussy.”

“Uncle Scout!” My nephew runs in with an Iron Man backpack on his shoulder. “Can you take me to school today?”

“Sure, kiddo. Give me two minutes.”

Gran slides a hand into the crook of my arm. “I’m glad you’re here. I’m just wondering what’s on your mind. John is settled and happy. You always said you wanted to be a movie star.”

“Did I?” We walk into her small living room, and I pause at the door. “I still love acting, but after last year, I guess I feel different about certain things.”

“Well, I love having you here. Jesse loves it.” She pats my arm. “Regina said they’re wanting to start a little league football team at the school. Maybe you can help out.”

“Don’t you think J.R. will want to help them?”

“He already is, but he needs an assistant. You’re perfect for the job. The two of you back together, why everyone will go crazy.”

Jesse runs back into the room holding a donut. “Are you going to help with our football team? Woo hoo!” He holds both hands up and runs in a circle.

“Not so fast. I’m not sure how long I’ll be here.”

Gran’s blue eyes narrow, and she gives me a knowing smile. “I think we’ve all learned you can’t predict the future. It’s best to stay open.”

I’ve also learned not to underestimate my sneaky little grandmother. She managed to track down the trust funds our mom set up for J.R. and me before she died. As the designated trustee, our dad had decided to keep that information—and the money—to himself. Until my grandmother offered to “clean” his study and found it.

“Your mother always said she was going to do it,” Gran had said, “But I never knew for sure until your dad opened that gym and started expanding it. Bill was never good with money. It was a dead giveaway.”

Our mom had taken all her teacher’s retirement and invested it in an aggressive fund that paid off really well. We’re not billionaires by any stretch, but it does take the pressure off me needing to rush right back to Los Angeles or find a job.

Leaning down, I kiss her crinkled cheek. “I think I’ll drive over to Oceanside after I drop off Jesse. I’ll be back.”

“Take your time.”

Eighteen

Daisy

“A million dollars?” My eyes widen as I count the number of zeros on the deposit receipt.

“One point five.” Spencer’s voice is on speaker as I cut open the first of the boxes inside my store.

“What did you do?”

“Your father left you a number of incredibly valuable pieces. I simply sorted what you didn’t want, kept what I did, and sold the rest at auction.”

I lift a hardcover sketchbook out of a box. It’s one of several that arrived with the letter, inventory list, and bill of sale. “I’m so glad we kept this Rufus Grider.” Turning the pages carefully, I study the brightly colored botanical sketches dating back to the 1850s. I happen to know some collectors would pay as much as twenty grand each for them.

“It’s a beautiful book. I held onto a few extra things I thought you might like.”

“Thank you, Spencer.”

Dad’s heart attack had been so sudden, I’d almost turned everything over to a service. The lawyers said he’d left me his store, all the contents, and two surprisingly large trust funds, one for Melody and