“Mom!” Lacey’s cheeks heated as she gripped her mother’s arm.

Mrs. Hotchkiss turned to her daughter. “It’s the truth. He should hear it.”

My back teeth ground together. “I’m just here for a few months, helping my family out.”

Her gaze snapped back to me. “With no regard for the family you destroyed, for how much pain it will cause them to see you here.”

My gut twisted. “I’m not trying to cause anyone pain, but my family is here, so there’s no way around it.”

“You sure stayed away long enough before. But now you’re back, and it’s breaking Heather’s heart. And I can’t imagine how painful it must be for Isabelle to have to see you at work every day. You need to stay away from that girl, from her family. Grant them whatever semblance of peace they have left.”

“I’ve got to be real honest, Mrs. Hotchkiss, this is none of your damn business.” I sidestepped her as she gasped and then strode in the direction of The Catch.

“Ford, wait!”

A hand caught my elbow, and I spun around. “What?”

Lacey’s cheeks were red, and she was out of breath. “I’m sorry, she’s just very protective of Mrs. Kipton, and Mrs. Kipton has been really upset that you’re back and working with Isabelle.”

“Like I told your mother, it’s none of their damn business.”

Lacey reached out a hand, laying it on my forearm. “You’re right, it’s not. Why don’t we go over to The Mad Baker? We can get a cup of coffee and talk.”

I stepped out of her hold. “I’ve got to get to work.”

“Violet would want you to be happy. Maybe if we talked, it would help you realize you can move on.”

I didn’t have words for the woman in front of me. She might’ve been Vi’s friend, but I’d never liked her, and now, she was basically a stranger. If she thought I’d open up my wounds to her, she had another thing coming. Before I could tell her as much, Mrs. Hotchkiss called from down the street. “Lacey, get away from that boy. We need to go.”

Lacey glanced at her mother and then back to me. “I’m sorry. I’ll come by the bar soon. We can talk.”

“There’s no need.” My words were cold, but it couldn’t be helped.

Lacey let the hurt show in her expression. “You’re hurting. I get it.”