Inheriting Trouble (In Ashwood Book 1) Read online

  Table of Contents

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  INHERITING TROUBLE

  In Ashwood

  Kinney Scott

  Inheriting Trouble

  In Ashwood

  Copyright © 2017

  Kindle Edition

  Mosquito Creek Publishing

  No part of this book may be used without prior written permission from the author.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents in this book are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons living or dead is completely coincidental.

  The following story contains mature themes, strong language, and explicit sexual situations. It is intended for adult readers only.

  Cover Design by Paper and Sage Design

  Contents

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

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  CHAPTER ONE

  Balanced on high heels, resting her camera on a handrail, Natalie aimed her lens at sailboats skirting across Lake Washington. A seventy-five degree day in late March was rare enough to justify skipping class. Natalie, Nate to those who knew her best, chose sunlight over a professor droning on about marketing. After a half hour, she decided not to blow off class entirely, packed up her camera and jogged to the bus stop. Maybe she would only miss the beginning of his dull lecture.

  Two hours later, released from the fluorescent-lit room, Nate caught the bus to her barista job in her grandfather’s retirement community. She had taken this job at Vista City to be close to him. Grandpa Pete was always her greatest fan. He encouraged her to pursue life on her own path. However, he worried about his beautiful granddaughter. If only her life was a little more daring, and her path a little less solitary.

  “Sorry I’m late, the bus was running behind schedule again,” Natalie called out to her friend who lived in the retirement community. Elsa’s beautifully styled grey hair hung around her face as she filled a tall glass jar with her famous snicker doodle cookies. “Can I have one of those, Elsa? I didn’t have time to grab lunch.”

  Elsa gave her much younger friend a cookie, “make sure to have something more filling than this, before we get a rush of customers. Isn’t this sunshine glorious! I’ve already brewed a second batch of iced tea.”

  Natalie’s teeth sank into the tender sugar and cinnamon treat. “That was delicious. Definitely worth taking an extra flight of stairs.” She finished off the last bite of the cookie, then tied the strings of her red apron snug around her curvy frame.

  “Where is Pete? He didn’t come in for coffee this morning,” Elsa continued. She definitely had a thing for Pete, Natalie’s grandfather. In his early seventies, he kept naturally fit as he spent much of his time fishing and hiking.

  “He’s out on the boat today with his Navy buddies. I don’t expect them back until dark. They will take advantage of every sunny moment out on the water today.”

  Customers began to trickle in. Time flew as Elsa and Nate hurried to serve up drinks to folks coming in to take a break from a walk, or stop for a bite to eat during a bike ride on the retirement community’s many evergreen-lined trails.

  When the black phone attached to the wall rang, Elsa moved to pick it up. After listening for several moments to a voice on the other end of the line, she turned pale, grabbed the counter in an attempt to steady herself, and sank into a chair that sat beneath the phone. Elsa’s slumping movement drew Nate’s attention away from steaming milk for a latte, sending a spray of coffee over her work apron, spattering foam across her red, shoulder-length wavy hair.

  “What is it? What’s happened?” Elsa held up her hand to quiet Nate as she listened to the person on the other end.

  Taking in a deep breath Elsa told them, “we will be there as quickly as possible,” then slowly hung up the phone.

  A pale look of shock covered Elsa’s face as she attempted to speak, “Natalie…Pete, your grandpa.” Elsa’s voice broke under the weight of the news. She just could not form the words. Tears began streaming down her lovely face.

  Natalie knew at that moment, that her life was forever altered. “God, no… The too-long pause left Nate to cry quietly. “He’s gone already isn’t he? He’s already gone.” Elsa pulled Natalie to her, holding her while she wept.

  Waiting until they could both take a long breath together, both women, who most loved Pete, helped each other stand. “He’s gone Natalie, but the hospital staff wanted you to come down to the hospital. Natalie, I think it might be a good idea for you to see him one last time. Please dear, let me come with you.” Elsa’s hand wrapped round Natalie’s, as a small part of the reality filtered in.

  “God this isn’t real. Yes, please come. I know I can’t do this alone.” Natalie’s body shook as she struggled to breathe past the quiet sobs.

  One of Elsa’s close friends stood in the doorway, her glass of iced tea still full in her hands. “If you want to give me the keys, I will be happy to lock up and put a sign on the door. Are you able to drive Elsa? Or do you want me to take you?”

  Elsa stood, handing over the keys to the coffee shop. Then sank into the encouraging hug from her close friend, “I can drive, thank you for your help.” Elsa put her arm around Nate’s shoulders.

  Under the weight of this new burden, Natalie seemed smaller than her five-foot-five frame. Elsa opened the passenger door of her sedan, then silently helped Natalie in. After sitting in the driver’s seat, Elsa took Nate’s hand in her own. “I’ll be here for you, to help you get through this. Pete loved you more than salt air and sunshine. You were his whole world.” Bowing her head under the pain of her new reality, Elsa whispered to herself. “I loved Pete too. Lord knows, I’m going to miss that man.”

  ***

  Natalie helped her mother, Karen, make it through the service in the Vista City Chapel. Her eyes had already cried so many tears that her body seemed dry and weary with the effort.

  Surrounded by so many of Grandpa Pete’s friends at the catered lunch following the service lifted Natalie’s spirits. She leaned in the doorway of the hall and scanned the room. Almost a dozen Navy buddies raised a glass of her grandpa’s favorite whisky. Lifting a toast to Pete, laughing together they shared memories that spanned decades.

  An
other group, from the small town of Ashwood, took up more than two tables. Elsa sat among them, recalling all the fond memories of Pete’s time spent fishing near that small town.

  One of Nate’s best friends, Kelsey, left the Ashwood crowd, as she spotted Natalie leaning against the frame of a door. “How are you holding up?” she asked, pulling Nate to sit at a table with her. “Can I get you something to eat?”

  Elsa’s niece Kelsey had filled in for her great-aunt at the coffee shop the previous winter. At that time, both girls found a deep friendship, and spent their free time hiking and photographing the sights and people around Puget Sound. Kelsey still lived about four hours southeast of Seattle in the small town of Ashwood

  “I’m good, Kels. Really. As wonderful as all this is, I just want today to be over.” Dark circles rested under Natalie’s bright blue eyes. The busy pace of planning the memorial was over, and exhaustion took its place. “Kels, will you sit with me while I talk to my Mom? After spending the past few days with her, I’m running out of safe topics to discuss.”

  “Sure, Nate. When are Karen and the family going back to Arizona?”

  “Day after tomorrow. She is just so worried that I will flunk out of school. Every time I talk to her she wants me to take time off from classes, and visit the family in Arizona,” Natalie shared with a pained expression that almost made Kelsey laugh.

  “And you would spend most of your time babysitting your little brothers. No, that’s the last thing you need. I love your mom and her husband Tim. She may really miss you, but that’s a terrible idea.” Kelsey pulled Natalie in the opposite direction. “Come on, you need a glass of wine before we talk to your mother.”

  Kelsey pulled her into the kitchen and put a glass of white wine in her hands. “Drink this, you need to relax. This will all be over soon.” Natalie hugged her best friend, while Kelsey attempted to take some of this emotional burden off her shoulders. Deep breath in, deep breath out. I will survive.

  Staying in Seattle without Grandpa Pete in the same city seemed pointless, but Natalie knew she should keep with her usual routine. Working at the coffee shop comforted her, because Pete’s friends shared her loss. As spring quarter drew to an end, it became increasingly obvious that a change had to be made in her life.

  “Come join me for a cup of coffee, Natalie, while we have a free moment.” Elsa sat as a spring shower pelted the coffee shop window with sheets of blowing rain. “Have you made any decisions about Peter’s condo?” she asked.

  “I talked to grandpa’s lawyer yesterday. Ms. Evert said I have a year before it needs to go on the market. It’s too bad the rules of the community won’t allow me to stay here more than a few weeks each year,” Natalie shared.

  “You know that is probably for the best. You shouldn’t be spending your life with a bunch of old retired people.” Elsa smiled. It was time to encourage Natalie to make some uncomfortable, necessary decisions.

  “I’m thinking about taking a break from Seattle. Later, when I have time, I’ll return and begin sorting through Grandpa Pete’s belongings. Right now, I’m in no hurry to go through all of his personal things. It’s just too soon.” She took a sip of her coffee. Strange that this hot drink always helped her feel a little better.

  Natalie had looked at many different options. “Do you think it’s a bad idea to take at least the summer off from college?” Gnawing at the back of her mind was the awareness that she always chose to live too carefully.

  “Not at all. What Peter left you can give you freedom to try something new. I know your grandpa would have encouraged you to take some risks. Remember, he didn’t always choose the predictable road. Pete had a satisfying life.”

  Natalie trusted Elsa’s advice. As classes drug on, each lecture seemed less important. Nate wanted to start living. She decided to put off her degree. Once settled on this decision, she knew grandpa would have wanted this for her. It was a big risk, but school would be waiting to finish later.

  * * *

  Alone the following Friday night, after watching an episode of her favorite show on a do it yourself channel, Nate wanted to explore an idea that had been rolling around in her head. To own a business. To take charge of her future.

  She built up the courage to send an email and composed a short message to Whitewater Homes:

  Hi, my name is Nate. I’m looking for more info on a tiny home/coffee shop. Would your company be interested in looking into that build? I already have funds lined up. I’m thinking about a home and small coffee shop combo for a mobile business. I plan to pull it with my 350 Diesel Dually. Let me know if that would be something your company could build. – Thanks, Nate Journey.”

  She was still scanning the web page when an email chimed. Wow, that was fast. The owner, Seth, must not have much of a social life. He had already replied. Nate laughed. She didn’t have much going on Friday night either.

  That sounds like a challenge, but one I’d like to take on.” How many people plan to live in this house-coffee shop? I’m guessing you would want a window for food service, similar to a food truck?

  Nate quickly typed then hit send:

  Only need room for one to live in my house. But the kitchen will need to be equipped for a business. Let me look over some of the options and I will e-mail back some questions and ideas for plans.

  Seth took a moment to attach his brochure. This build could be fun. He had tackled both a food truck and plenty of homes before, but never a combo of the two:

  No problem, look forward to working on it, let me know when you are ready.

  His response came with a multi-page brochure attachment. The choices of design options soon turned into just the distraction she craved. Late into the evening on Friday, while she sipped on her glass of wine, Nate obsessed over loft styles, floor finishes, bathrooms, and cabinets.

  Those details weren’t nearly as distracting as the pages of the flyer that featured the hot owner who stood by his work. Rugged and outdoorsy, with dark wavy hair, Seth Michaels looked tall, probably over six feet. Nate could not take her eyes off him. She sighed. What was it about a guy with a tool belt slung low across nicely faded jeans that made her mouth water?

  ***

  “Seth, do you think I drove all the way up to your house to watch you work?”

  “I’ll be done in a second Chels.” Usually he didn’t ignore a naked woman to take care of business, but when his ex-wife turned up unannounced, she could wait. “You should have called first Chelsea. Or stayed with your friends down at Northside Grill,” he said as he filled in a couple of final details on a tiny home plan he wanted to wrap up.

  “I got bored, and when you didn’t show up I knew you would be at home, working again on a Friday night. You should thank me. Now get your ass in here Seth.” He could hear Chelsea splash as her body slipped from the jetted tub.

  The divorce wasn’t ugly. He still considered Chelsea a friend. He wasn’t even that surprised when Chelsea frequently began to show up at his house after the divorce to take the edge off. When he stepped into the master bedroom, her sleek bare body lay draped, face down, across his bed. His ex-wife worked out, had a great shape, but lacked the soft, sexy, rounded curves that Seth preferred.

  He stood at the foot of the bed, already hard, his erection jutted against the tight confines of his jeans. Their marriage had ended, but sex was never part of the problem. Slowly he peeled off his shirt, and slid his belt from his jeans.

  “Tie my hands with that this time sweetie. I need to feel a little edge,” she begged. Knowing exactly what she was asking for, he grabbed a couple of pillows to position her ass high in the air. A slight sigh of pleasure escaped her lips as he tightened the leather of his belt around her overlapped wrists then secured her to the heavy wood slats of the headboard. His hands slid down, gliding across her perfectly tanned shoulders, back, butt and slim long legs. Then he carefully secured her ankles to the restraints that fitted round the posts on the bottom rail of his king size bed. Wriggling he
r ass, she longed to feel the first stinging slap.

  “Patience, Chelsea. Right now, I’m in charge.” Seth kissed his way up her legs, starting at her manicured toes. Her moans and writhing movements had him hard as steel. When he reached the tender spot on the back of her knees her legs bucked, partially in frustration. His ex-wife had always been eager to move quickly to the first of many orgasms.

  “Stop fighting the ropes, Chels.” He commanded as he finally administered a stinging slap. Another crack of his palm heated her muscular ass. A moan of satisfied arousal escaped her lips at the quick stinging contact. Chelsea worked out, had a great shape, even if he considered her toned body too firm. Seth preferred a little distinct jiggle when his palm landed on a more ample cheek.

  “Oh yes…” she moaned, as she waited for the final sharp smack. He immediately plunged his condom-sheathed cock in her wet pussy. “Yes, Seth!” she cried, just as he breached her core. As he pounded, her clit pressed into the firm pillow that he used to keep her at this perfect angle, but it was not quite enough.

  Reaching round her slim hips, he slipped his fingers between her wet folds and began the slow-pulsed rhythm against her clit. As her breathing became ragged, she struggled to speak, “Right... There… Seth.”

  Then to give her that little bite of pain, he pinched her tiny distended clit between his finger and thumb. Chelsea’s release exploded as he pushed into her heat, buried to the hilt. Her pussy clenched, but Seth held onto control as he timed his own release. He canted his hips to drive just a little deeper and pounded in five more powerful strokes. Seth surged into a mind-blowing orgasm. He saw stars for a moment, perched behind her. Using his work roughened palms. He kneaded and soothed her pink cheeks still glowing a bit from his attention.

  Damn, he had to get rid of the condom. Since the divorce, he had never risked sex with anyone without sheathing up, but he missed that skin-to-skin contact. By the time he got back from the bathroom she was ready to have the wrist and ankle restraints removed. Once she was free, Chelsea moaned as she rolled over on the bed.