Anne's Legacy

By Kelliea Ashley

Cassandra Kemp's life is a mess with a marriage on the brink of divorce, a family member's illness, and a forced reconciliation with the man who holds her heart. Cassie didn't think things could get any worse. She was wrong!
Mathew Kemp is a man who wants his woman back. He'll go to any lengths to persuade her to give him another chance. She may not love him like before, but she still sizzles at his touch. If she thinks he'll let her go easily, she's wrong!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kelliea Ashley
• Release date: Jun 26, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393014379

Kelliea Ashley

As an author I am truly astounded by the couples in my life. How two completely different individuals with differing backgrounds, beliefs, and motivations can somehow overcome it all to find the good in one another has to be the very definition of magic. I grew up with very little, but my Mother taught me to find happiness in the most obscure details of my life. She encouraged me to tell her stories and dream of a future where we had everything we needed. Out of our poverty I received a true love of writing that was nurtured throughout my schooling and became a hobby when I reached adulthood. My husband Joshua gave me the gentle push to get published and I owe him for seeing my dream of becoming an author come to reality. Never stop dreaming, reaching for more, or wanting a better life filled with love and magic. In my spare time I like to dabble in gardening and crafts, but honestly I love spending time with my husband and furbabies. I have two dogs, Sampson and Delilah, and a cat named Snowflake. Snowflake is my muse, so she has her own little bed positioned at the end of my desk. Thank you for choosing to read my work out of the numerous titles available to you. I hope you check out some of my other titles. Connect with Kelliea Twitter- @AshleyKelliea Amazon- https://www.amazon.com/Kelliea-Ashley/e/BOOFAE199C [e-mail]

Book preview

Chapter One

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Shit. The sudden knock on Mathew Kemp's office door made him swing toward it. He took a deep breath, hoping his face didn't show the signs of stress he was under. The tension from work and his train wreck of a personal life was bad enough to make his receptionist comment on it after the morning meeting. Things needed to change soon.

Come in. He picked up some papers on his desk, realizing they were the schedules for him to go over and approve. The joys of being owner and manager of his hometown radio station. GLB 73.4, or The Globe, was a small broadcasting company under the umbrella of a major syndicate. He looked up as a man dressed in a charcoal business suit with a gray and white striped tie came through the door.

Hey, what are you doing here, little brother? Mild concern had him studying Lucas Kemp's face as he came to stand in the doorway. As an attorney, Lucas could prove to be a formidable opponent, both in and out of the courtroom.

I just dropped by to check on you. We haven't seen you around lately. Luke heaved a sigh at Matt's raised brow. Okay, Mom sent me. She's a little worried. Lucas shoved his hands in the smartly creased pants.

I've called her. Matt shrugged his shoulders then looked away with a guilty sigh. You can go back and tell her I'll come to dinner this week.

Have you had lunch, yet? Luke asked with cool nonchalance.

I'm probably skipping lunch today. I've got too much to do. Matt leaned back on his heels and folded his arms over his chest. He always followed his instincts when dealing with this brother. Lucas was a damn good poker player, but the way his hands clenched in his pockets tipped him off that this was not going to be pleasant. His instincts told him that Luke was here with an agenda, one he would not be enjoying for long.

The door needs to be closed, then. Luke turned and shut Matt's office door with a deadly click.

Why are you really here? Matt tossed the papers back on his desk with a flick of a wrist. He knew it. Lucas never could resist shoving his nose in other people's business. This might be the day he gets that busy-body nose broken.

Before you start throwing punches, give me five minutes to state my case.

Time's ticking, Luke. This better not be what I think it's about.

Mom and I had lunch yesterday. She's having tests for cancer. We don't know if it's back or not, but the doctor advised her to get rid of any stress. Her blood pressure is up enough to have him putting her on medication. Mom wants all of us to go to the camp for two weeks. She wants her family around her. Stress is the enemy, Matt. You either have to get a quick divorce from Cassandra or get back together with her. This limbo isn't good for Mom's health. That said, it isn't doing you any good either. You look like hell.

Get the hell out of here, Luke. Anger and concern warred within him as Matt found himself cracking his knuckles as his fists clenched. He edged from behind the desk to glare down at his younger brother. Luke pulled his own hands out of his slack pockets in a classic sign that he was prepared to defend himself.

Do you understand there are two choices here? You haven't seen your wife in two months. It's not like you'll miss her— Matt's fist snapped out without warning. It would have connected if Luke hadn't been aware it was coming. He ducked back and caught Matt around the neck. A grunt left him as Matt's elbow connected solidly with his ribs.

The two of them were too well matched to best each other easily. When they were exhausted by the struggle, they found themselves sitting on the floor leaning up against the desk. Luke's lip was split and bleeding and Matt's knuckles hurt. Their heavy breathing turned to spontaneous laughter as Luke picked up a piece of Matt's office chair. One of them crashed into it, only Matt wasn't sure who.

The cancer might be back? Are you sure? He turned his head, testing his jaw which seemed bruised. Luke sighed with a shrug beside him.

She took a battery of tests. It could be nothing, but it could also be bad.

Damn. Matt pushed a hand through his hair and shook his head. I can't do this right now.

I know, but you have to do this at some time. Luke brushed at a small rip in his jacket sleeve. I should have changed before coming to see you. I told Mom she was sending a lamb to the slaughter, but she was all right with sacrificing me.

It's too soon. Matt sighed. His gut twisted tighter in knots that just wouldn't go away. They both knew he would give Luke an answer before he went back to their mother. Anne Kemp was the best mother any man could ask for. She'd always been there for him, even when he refused to take her advice. Namely, when she insisted he go talk to his wife. He couldn't jeopardize his mother's health just because he didn't want to face slamming the door on his marriage.

Look, if you think there's even the slightest chance that the two of you belong together after...everything that happened, you have to take the shot. Don't let go of something you know you'll never find again. Luke gave him the look he used when staring down juries. The same look he'd practiced on all his siblings at one time or another.

Luke, you're making me want to punch you in the face again.

We're both too tired for that. I think we're getting too old for fist fighting. Couple years ago we would've still been throwing punches at each other. Matt saw the small grin his brother couldn't hold back. He shook his head and pushed a hand through his thick hair. When he dropped his hand, his eyes landed on the gold watch Cassie gave him on their first Christmas together. The damn thing had stopped working more than a week ago, but he just hadn't been able to buy a new one, yet. What did that tell him? Probably that he was a hopeless schmuck!

I guess I have to go get the rest of my things out of the house. Matt spoke calmly, though his chest ached as though he'd been stabbed.

Are you sure? Luke's disappointment thickened his deep voice, but the look on his face remained only mildly interested. Matt envied his poker face. Is there someone else?

Luke, go tell Mom I'm taking care of things. It will be fine. Matt pulled himself to his feet and offered his brother a hand up.

Luke grimaced as he accepted the hand up as he held his bruised ribs. Next time she better send Bradley to deal with you. I'm getting too old for this shit.

I know. Your left isn't as hard as it used to be. Matt grinned as he yanked the office door open for him to leave.

So, if you're letting Cassie go, mind if I ask her out? Luke asked as he began righting his clothes. Mathew's jaw clenched so hard it snapped and he shut the door again. I knew it. You don't really want to let her go. You're just taking the easy way out. I never thought you were a coward Mathew. Luke immediately threw his hands up, expecting the need to defend his life. Matt heaved a shaky breath as he looked at the floor. He flexed his hands, wishing he could hit something other than his little brother. It was no use; he had to make a decision about Cassie. There was no time to waste if his mother's health was on the line. Time to pull on his big boy pants and make a damn decision.

What do I do, Luke? You seem to have all the answers. How do I reach her? He grimaced at the sound of despair in his words.

Well, how well has ignoring her worked? Luke shoved his hands in his pockets. I'm sorry. There was true regret in Luke's voice. He'd loved Cassie as a sister and Matt knew he didn't want to lose her any more than the rest of the family. For the millionth time, Mathew wished his father were alive to go to for advice.

You're right. I have to see her.

Damn it, Mathew. I wanted to stay out of it. Luke slapped his arm hard. This is what you need to do...and if it backfires, I'm not taking any responsibility for it.

Twenty minutes later Mathew felt a little better as Luke left his office. He had a plan. It wasn't a fool-proof plan, but with a little ingenuity and a hell of a lot of luck, it might work to his favor. Besides, in his experience, anything worth keeping was well worth the battle to get it. Cassie was worth the battle and he felt relieved that he'd finally made the decision to do something about her. All it had taken was a major push by his little brother. To be precise a major punch, man, did his jaw hurt.

Chapter Two

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Can this day get any worse? Cassandra Kemp groaned as she rammed the shifter into park and killed the Nissan's engine. Matt's black Jeep Wrangler was once more taking up most of the parking space available in the driveway, forcing her to park half on the grass. The man never did know how to keep to his own space.

He could have chosen a better time to get the rest of his possessions, like while she was at school teaching children how to read and do simple math. Then again, in the three years they'd been married, Mathew Kemp hadn't let personal space be an issue. She felt her temperature rise just thinking about him and took a deep breath to steady herself.

Focus on the negatives, Cass. He was the most pigheaded, stubborn, juvenile, lout she'd ever met. She sighed as she hit the steering wheel with the palm of her hand. It irked her that she couldn't come up with more than those weak examples of his faults. Truthfully, Mathew didn't possess many negative attributes. He was all male, yes, but he was also kind and generous to a fault. He'd given her three of the most fulfilling and happiest years of her life until... No! Memory lane was a dead end road, one she wouldn't go down. She couldn't afford to lose sight of the reality of their situation. She needed to get on with her life and so did he. Their marriage was over and done. Almost over, except for papers to be drawn up, signed and filed. She could handle this.

God help me handle this. Cassie fumbled to get her seatbelt off and grabbed the lunch pail off the passenger seat. Her hands were shaking, and she could feel sweat running down the middle of her back beneath her silk shirt. She flipped the visor down on impulse to check her appearance. She looked tired. Because she was tired! Exhausted from work and worrying about their upcoming divorce. She had yet to see the lawyer but knew it would have to be faced... unless he was there to hand her the papers in person.

Cassie bit down hard on her lower lip and winced at her reflection. Her dark brown eyes watered at the slight pain. She tucked a wayward brown curl behind her ear and took a deep breath to calm herself down. He would have to be faced. Today was not a good day for it, but she could handle it. She'd been through worse and come through it... barely.

Get a grip, girl! Pushing the visor back in place, she got out and marched up the cement walkway. She climbed the steps to the porch and ignored the swing. It was harder not to want to look at it today. His presence in the house made ignoring the intricate design of doves meeting in the center of the heart so much harder. Mathew made the swing by hand, carving the doves into the seat himself as the replica of the porch swing at the Kemp camp. He'd proposed to her on that swing. Stop!

She shut her eyes hard as the burn of unshed tears made her ache for what they had lost. One hand on her rolling stomach, she pushed open the door and entered the house. Mathew Kemp was there for a reason and she wouldn't allow herself to run from him or her guilt. She would face whatever he had to throw at her. She deserved his anger, so she would take it head on.

She found him in the office in front of the bookshelves he'd made for her on their first Christmas in the house. His broad back effectively blocked her view of him, but she could see a pile of books on his arm and one in his hand. Her husband was a man of contradictions. He possessed the hard body of a wrestler, yet read Keats and Byron. He could ride a Harley like the devil was on his heels, and then dance a waltz like Fred Astaire.

A shiver of awareness slid down her spine as she drank in the very sight of him. Damn, he was sex personified. A woman would have to be dead from the neck down not to drop to her knees and beg for his touch. Boy, how he could touch! She swallowed the saliva gathering in her mouth as she noticed her breathing had double timed to match the pounding of her heart. This man could melt her into a drooling puddle of girlie delight with one look. He was everything to her, always would be, but lust and love wasn't enough. He deserved more.

Cassie watched silently as he bent and dropped the book in the large box on the floor. Two months had changed him. She made note of the new jeans that lovingly hugged his tight butt. Her nails dug into her palms as they itched to slide into his back pockets. She forced her eyes up, noticing that he'd recently cut his dirty blond hair short. Gone, were the thick waves she loved to plow her fingers through. He raised a hand to the back of his neck and her breath caught. He'd obviously replaced the gold wristwatch she bought him on their first Christmas together. The gold watch, glinting in the sun from the window beside him, looked more expensive. It shouldn't hurt like a mortal wound to see the changes in him since he left her, but it did. Cassie wrapped her arms around her waist in an effort to hold it in.

Mathew turned toward her from the half-empty bookshelf. His blue eyes darkening warily as he noticed her standing in the doorway. She held her breath as his heated gaze slowly traveled the length of her. Every inch of her body came to shocking life as his eyes moved over her. She felt the urge to cover her breasts as her nipples hardened painfully, but she stayed still and endured his exploration. His quick frown made it obvious that he didn't like what he was seeing. It was enough to douse her excitement like the forceful spray of a fireman's hose.

You couldn't do this while I was at school? She took the offensive stance right away, giving him the disapproving schoolteacher look she used when she wanted to intimidate the kids, but he wasn't an eight-year-old. Mathew Kemp was the farthest thing from a child. His shoulder muscles flexed beneath his shirt as he blinked at her.

Hello, Cassandra. I'm well, and you? He reprimanded her in return as he dropped the books in the box with a careless thump that made her cringe.

You could have left me a text that you were coming.

Why, so you could stay longer at school to avoid me? Sorry, I didn't realize I needed to make an appointment to enter my own home. His hands slid into the front pockets of his jeans as he dared her to argue with him. Her eyes followed the motion, centering on the button on his jeans before sliding lower. She gasped softly and yanked her head up so fast that she was instantly nauseous.

You know that isn't necessary. I haven't changed the locks. It would be easier if we didn't have to...do this. She flicked her wrist back and forth between them and then shoved a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She gave in and hugged her waist to keep her shaking hands from being visible.

Can't stand to be in the same house as me? He angrily grabbed another book off the shelf and threw it into the box. It doesn't matter. He rubbed the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes.

Cassie felt like a beast. He always did that when something was bothering him enough to give him a stress headache. She fought the old impulse to rub his shoulders as she had countless times before. Not this time, not anymore. Regret burned like acid in the back of her throat and she had to blink fast to keep her eyes from welling with tears. This was ridiculous! She wasn't a weeping woman, normally.

Look, I don't know why you felt the need to do this now, but I can get out of your way. Let you go to it. Old impulses were starting to weaken her resolve to let him go. She hadn't