Chapter 14
Millie
I had fucking sex with Ashton Knight.
I had sex with Colin’s heart recipient.
I … I couldn’t breathe.
Ashton was asleep when I slipped out of bed, put on my dress from yesterday, and walked outside to get some fresh morning air.
We had sex and it was mind blowing. It was amazing. It was everything I never thought it could be. The worst part is not one time during sex had I thought of Colin. Only after, when I’d felt the necklace that held our rings, had I thought of my late husband and the fact that I’d just moved on. Guilt slammed into me as I walked to the chicken coop and tears streamed down my cheeks.
We talked about it in therapy, that there would be a time when I would move on and start dating again. But I’d only waited a year. What did that say about me? What did that do to Colin’s memory and my respect for him?
“I’m sorry,” I whispered to the wind, feeling the guilt reach up and eat me alive.
“Millie? Is that you?” Gran’s voice came from inside the chicken coop and I wiped my eyes quickly, smoothing my hair as she opened the doors. When her gaze landed on me, she frowned for a second.
I was terrified she’d ask me what was wrong and pry for information, but instead she just held out a bucket for me. “Start collecting eggs. I’m looking forward to your breakfast.”
Relief rushed through me as I took the bucket and walked over to a box. Oh, I could make quiche, French toast, omelets, eggs benedict. Recipes flew around my head and everything went calm within me.
“So what plans do you have for the bar? You really think it can be saved?” she asked, throwing handfuls of cracked corn as thirty or so chickens pecked at the ground.
The bar. Yes. I could talk about the bar.
I nodded. “That’s my job actually. My late husband and I would go in and save failing restaurants. I designed the menu and we’d freshen the look, do a social media campaign and earn a real profit.”
Gran looked pleased. “Ashton was saying you’ve already starting things in that direction.”
I nodded. “This Saturday we’re having a huge party. Hosting an open mic night to find a live band, and I’ll be showcasing the menu. I’ve already got five hundred RSVPs on Facebook.” I’d checked early this morning and nearly fallen over when I saw the numbers.
Gran frowned. “It’s a shame Ashton asked me to sell it last night. Wants me to sign the papers today. He got a great offer.”
I dropped one of the eggs I’d been holding and it cracked on the ground. “Sell it!” I screeched. “No. He said he’d give me time, he said he wanted to try brunch.”
That motherfucker. He didn’t even give me a chance to save the bar! And he came in last night and we … and he never once told me! Anger ripped through me in waves as my hands shook.
“I can see you’re passionate about making the bar work.” Gran gave me a crooked smile. “Is it the bar you’re trying to save, or Ashton?”
I froze, wetting my lips as I sifted through my answer.
Gran was a no-nonsense woman. Nothing got past her and I could respect that.
“Both,” I replied reluctantly, honestly.
She nodded, looking pleased. “That’s what I thought. In that case I’d like to sell you my half of the bar.”
Shock ripped through me and I turned away from the egg laying crate to face her fully. “Really? I mean … I would love that. I have so many plans and I’ll figure out the money and—”
She waved her hand. “I’ll sell it to you for a dollar. Just get it earning a profit and we can figure everything else out later. If you own half the bar, then Ashton can’t convince me to sell it.”
Joy bubbled up inside of me and I stomped through the feeding chickens and wrapped my arms around his Gran, squeezing her tightly. “Thank you!”
She laughed and when I pulled back, she gave me a knowing smile. “You’re good for him, Millie. Don’t break his heart, I’m not sure he could take it.”
Her ominous warning sent a stone into my stomach, but I nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I’m going to start on breakfast.”
She nodded. “My kitchen is your kitchen.”
I walked across the backyard, the sun rising over the beautiful garden, and asked myself a very serious question.
When was I going to tell Ashton that he carried Colin’s heart? The most logical answer came to me.
Never.
I would keep it a secret forever and he’d never have to know. Instead I would focus on other things like saving Wayne’s Place and turning it into best damn brunch/bar Nashville had ever seen. Brunch by day, bar by night. Hah! That was our new slogan.
Bring it on, I was in project mode.
As I settled into making breakfast for everyone, I beat the eggs with a ferocious tenacity. Ashton thought he could sell the bar behind my back and not tell me! Boy, was he in for a shock. As if on cue, he walked into the kitchen and I looked up, masking my anger. I was going to play it cool, not reveal my cards like he hadn’t revealed his.
“Hey … I missed you this morning,” he said, lowering his voice. His cousins, Gran, and aunt were in the dining room.
I turned back and gave him a sweet smile. “Got up early and fed the chickens with your Gran.”
He looked surprised and then a little scared. “Oh … that’s nice.”
Was he afraid she told me about him agreeing to selling the bar last night?
He should be.
“Millie…” Ashton looked down at my hands.
I was beating so feverishly that the eggs had run over onto my borrowed apron. “I’ll see you at breakfast.”
His brow furrowed. “Okay … you know last night
