Leaving Carolina by Tamara Leigh Read Free Book Online Page A

puppy-dog big. “You wouldn’t, would you, cuz?”
    I wish he wouldn’t call me that. It tempts me
to
do a thing like that. But he is my cousin. “Far be it from me to fault you for welcoming me back in such a creative manner…
cuz.”
    Bart gives Axel a “ha!” look.
    “However, in future, you’ll need to present yourself at the front door when you come to call.” Another Southern moment…
    “Now that the element of surprise is no longer a consideration, it would be my pleasure.” Bart descends and, to my dismay, falls on my neck. “Welcome home, Piper.”
    Home
.
    He pulls back. “You’ve changed—for the better.”
    Some compliments are best left unspoken.
And comebacks
.
    “If Artemis hadn’t said you were coming home, I wouldn’t have recognized you.” He takes a step back. “Well, I did what I came to do—”
    Did he?
    “—so I’ll get going and let you settle in.”
    As Bart starts to turn away, I find my social skills. “How are Bridget and Bonnie?”
    “Uh…still my sisters.”
    I bite back sarcasm. “I mean, what are they up to?”
    “Oh.” He frowns. “Bonbon got her degree, married her professor, and has twins. She doesn’t visit often, what with all the research she and her husband are involved in. As for Bridge, she’s still into her silly environmental causes—in seventh heaven with all this go green’ movement. Oh, and she’s widowed.”
    News to me, since the filter between L.A. and Pickwick became increasingly clogged with each passing year.
    Bart shrugs again. “That’s it in a nutshell.”
    I’ll say. “I’m sorry Bridget lost her husband.”
    His face falls a degree. “Yeah, freak accident. Happens to the best of us.”
    O… kay. I glance at Axel, but his chin is down, and I’m certain that his interest in his shoes is a front. Back to Bart. “And I’m happy for Bonnie.”
    “Thanks.” He tosses his hands up. “I’d better get going.”
    At Bart’s approach, the dog stops thumping his tail, and when my cousin reaches a hand to him, he growls.
    “I don’t get it.” Bart snatches his arm back. “I’m one of the most dog-savvy people I know, but I can’t seem to connect with Errol.”
    “It’s probably the Great Pyrenees in him.” Axel smiles. “They’re intelligent dogs.”
    Bart drops his jaw. “You wound me.” He waits for a retraction, and when it isn’t forthcoming, he skirts the dog. “Later, Piper.”
    “Just a warning,” Axel says. “Artemis has placed Errol at Ms. Wick’s disposal.”
    What? I am
not
having a big, stinky dog—
    “Wick?” Bart’s eyes pin me. “It’s true. You
did
change your name.”
    I have nothing to be ashamed of, especially relative to the antics of my Pickwick relations, but I make an effort to soften what is perceived as an insult. “I abbreviated it.”
    “Why?”
    “For one thing, Wick is short; for another, it’s somewhat unique.” Although not as unique as Pickwick, which, in these parts, is associated with dysfunction. “Thus, it’s easy to remember and is a better fit with my first name.” No more “Piper Pickwick picked a peck of pickled peppers,” thank you very much.
    “That’s lame.”
    “It works for me.”
    Bart snorts. “Even if you threw out the ‘Wick’ with the ‘Pick,’ you’d still be a Pickwick.” He thrusts his chest out. “It may make you feel better to pretend you’re not someone you are, but I’m proud of who I am. Sure, I’ve done things I regret, but I’m working to better myself and restore integrity to our family name.”
    By cutting the power, breaking in, and sneaking around like a criminal? I glance at Axel, whose eyebrows are up, confirming we’re on the same wavelength.
    “Things may have been bad when you and your mom tore out of town,” Bart continues, “but some of us learned from our mistakes and are trying to live godly lives.”
    Had I anything in my mouth, it would be all over him.
    “That’s right—godly.” Bart responds to the