Igniting the Flame (Firebrand Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

getting any younger, and I need you to help me run the company. He built it for us, and we need to preserve it for our children.”
    Ash grunted at the thought of being a father. “It doesn’t look like that’s going to happen for either of us any time soon.” He sighed and rested against the couch cushion. “I don’t know if Dad and I could ever work together. He’s never given me credit for anything. He knows you’re the smart son. To him, I’m just the one who killed our mother.”
    Richard’s eyes flashed with anger. “That’s not how Dad sees you. Mom’s death had nothing to do with you.”
    “Except mine was the birth that killed her.”
    “When are you going to get that chip off your shoulder and meet him halfway? He’s a hard man, but he loves you. And he wants you to join us in the business.”
    Ash pushed up from the couch and stared down at his brother. “I don’t think I can do it, Richard. I know it’s not fair to you, but I’m not cut out for running a business. And I don’t think Dad really wants me there.”
    Richard shook his head. “You’re wrong.” He tilted his head to one side and stared. “Three weeks ago you talked like you might be considering coming to work with us. Then suddenly you changed your mind. What happened?”
    Ash’s face grew warm. “Nothing happened.”
    Richard set his coffee cup on the table beside the couch and looked back at Ash. “For a few weeks there, you were different. Happier. I know it had to do with a woman, because I heard you on the phone ordering flowers. Did something happen?”
    Ash rubbed the back of his neck with his hand and grimaced. “Yeah, something happened.”
    “What?”
    Ash felt moisture in his eyes. He blinked and shook his head. “She gave up on me just like Dad did.”
    Before Richard could say anything, Ash stormed from the room, rushed to the front door, and slammed it behind him. His car still sat in the driveway where he’d left it earlier, and he jumped inside and grabbed the steering wheel. He started to reach for the ignition, but instead closed his eyes and rested his head on his hands.
    He needed to go somewhere tonight. Do something. Maybe Sam could hang out for a while. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and punched in the number for Sam Black, his friend since childhood. Sam answered on the first ring.
    “Hey, Ash, what’s going on?”
    “How’s the new deputy sheriff’s job going?”
    “Great. It’s good to be back home, and I like the people I work with. What about you? Have you started to work for your dad yet?”
    Ash rubbed his hand over his face and stifled a groan. “Not yet.”
    “So what’s going on? I was surprised when your number showed up. I haven’t heard much from you since you got back.”
    “Sorry about that. I’ve been busy, but I’d like to do something about it. I thought we might hang out for a while. You up to that?”
    Sam sighed. “Oh, man, I’d like to, but I’ve got a date.”
    “A date? I didn’t know you were seeing anyone.”
    “Well, I haven’t been, but my old college girlfriend is in town, and I’m trying to get back together with her.”
    Ash laughed. “Well, good luck. We can get together another night. Let me know how your romantic evening turns out.”
    “Will do. Hey, it’s good to talk to you.”
    “Yeah, you, too.”
    Ash disconnected the call and leaned back against the headrest. So he wasn’t the only one having woman problems. Maybe Sam would be luckier than he’d been. With a sigh he started the car and headed toward downtown.
    As he drove through the heart of St. Claire, he stared at the people who strolled up and down the sidewalk in what he’d always called the souvenir shuffle. He shook his head in disgust. He’d never understood why tourists who came to the Smokies were so intent on buying the perfect souvenir of their trip and then ended up going home with a trinket made in China.
    Tonight the shops and restaurants were packed with