Chapter 15 Part 15
Asher
His fury simmered overnight. He’d never been quick to anger, he was level-headed, and calm under pressure, which had made him a sought after sniper in the Army. His anger was taking over now. He’d left Maggie to sleep, and sat up half the night wrestling with the story she’d told him.
She wanted to leave Two Bear Meadow because of what Lorelei had said to her. Asher was aware that he’d only known her for a few days, yet telling the doctor they were engaged had come naturally, whereas it had taken him nine years to propose to Lorelei. Was it because he’d felt that it was the natural progression, or because he actually wanted to marry her? He didn’t know, but he knew he wasn’t going to let Maggie just leave.
He was invested in seeing where their relationship was going. He was invested in Melody. Even his father had called her family in the hospital, and that told him enough. His whole family had gone to the hospital after they’d met Maggie once, his brothers having been around her twice, actually.
After making sure that Maggie had eaten breakfast, and taken her pills, he’d called Eden to stay with her a while and watch Melody until he returned. He sped away from his house with a coldness filling his soul. His anger had settled, but now it was a controlled anger.
Asher parked his truck right in front of Lorelei’s real estate office, and climbed out. Pastor Mitchells saw him on the sidewalk, and raised his hand in greeting. Asher gritted his teeth, but stopped walking until the man reached him.
“How’s Maggie doing, Asher? I heard from Lindy that your lady friend was in a car accident,” he said.
“She’s recovering at the ranch, thank you, Pastor,” Asher said.
“I’m sure by this afternoon you’ll start seeing the brigade,” he said, with a grin.
“Much appreciated; if you’ll excuse me, Pastor, I need to go tell Lorelei where she can shove the sun if she doesn’t stop gossiping about Maggie,” Asher said, with a smile, leaving the shocked Pastor on the sidewalk. That news would get around, too, he was sure of it.
He pushed the door open, almost smiling when Lorelei looked up and her eyes widened. “Asher?”
“Lorelei,” Asher said, and stepped toward her desk, ignoring the two other women in the office. Her eyes darted toward them, but then she plastered a smile on her face.
“Can I get you anything?”
Asher shook his head. “I want to make one thing very clear. You don’t know Maggie, and you certainly don’t know me anymore. You have no idea who she is, where she comes from, or what her story is—”
“Neither do you, Asher. I’m just looking out for you,” Lorelei said.
“You were mean and vindictive, and it stops now. If I hear one story about Maggie, just one thing, you will be sorry. I have enough ammunition on you, Lorelei. I’ve known you your whole life, there’s a lot I can tell people.”
Her eyes widened again. “Why are you so concerned over this woman? In a month, you’ll be gone again. In a way, I was sparing her from heartbreak.”
“I won’t be gone in a month. I’m here to stay, and so is Maggie. Leave her alone, or you’ll have me to deal with, and for the record, the whole Fitzgerald family,” Asher said. As he turned to leave, he noticed the other two women in the office looking at them with big eyes. They’d heard every word. “Ladies.”
Asher walked across the street to the baby store, and emerged half an hour later with a square box and two bags. He loaded them onto the backseat of his truck, lifting his hand in greeting, when he saw Lorelei looking at him through her office window.
There was no doubt in his mind that he’d see Lorelei again, especially now that she knew he was staying. He’d always known that Lorelei could be difficult, and sometimes rude to people she deemed were standing in her way, but somehow, he’d always overlooked it.
He parked his truck in front of his house, took his purchases from the backseat, and headed inside. In the kitchen, he opened the square box, pulling the walker into the correct position. It was about time Melody had one of her own. She’d be able to move around more freely, and develop her leg muscles for when she started walking.
He headed upstairs and knocked on Maggie’s door. “Come in.”
He pushed the door open and leaned against the frame. “How are you doing?”
“I’m okay, bored out of my mind, but okay. Where did you go earlier?”
Asher grinned, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand. “I think we can make you comfortable on the couch, then you can watch television, and see more of Melody.”
Maggie straightened up a bit. “Really?”
“Sure,” he said, and Maggie moved the covers off her. She was wearing wide-legged sweatpants with a tank top. He lifted her easily.
Downstairs in the living room, he placed her on the couch at the same time as Eden opened the front door, and Melody’s babbles filled the air. He lifted Maggie’s leg onto the coffee table, and placed a pillow below it.
“Hello, little lady,” Asher said, as he took her from Eden. “I’ve got a surprise for you.”
“You got Melody a surprise?” Maggie asked.
“Hang on just a second,” Asher said, heading to the kitchen. He could hear Maggie and Eden talking in the living room, as he placed Melody in the walker. She looked at the mounted toys with wide eyes before she clapped her hands, and grabbed onto it.
“Now follow me, Melody.” Asher backed out of the kitchen, and Melody lurched forward as she straightened her legs. Her laughter filled his ears as she realized she could move, and within five minutes, he had her in the living room.
Maggie’s eyes had filled with tears again as she looked at how happy Melody was, and then her eyes locked onto Asher’s. “Thank you, Asher. That’s the best present she’s ever received.”
“You’re very welcome; it’ll keep her busy, and get her ready to walk,” he said with a smile, as he sat down next to Maggie, and took her hand in his.