Chapter 23 Part 23
Asher
Melody babbled all the way from the ranch, as Asher sang along to Dave Dudley’s, Six Days On The Road. Melody’s babbles stopped, and Asher sang louder. He checked the rearview mirror, and smiled as Melody’s smile widened.
He parked the truck in a parking spot at the grocery store, and got her from the car seat. Her hand clutched his T-shirt as he walked into the grocery store. Asher nodded his head in greeting to a few people before placing Melody in the shopping cart.
“Let’s see what Aunt Eden wants us to buy,” Asher said, unfolding the hand-written shopping list. It had all the ingredients for his birthday cake, making him chuckle.
They did their shopping, browsing down the aisles. Asher bought groceries for his house, fresh fruits and vegetables, sodas, snacks, and a stuffed giraffe that Melody clung to. A lot of people asked after Maggie, and proclaimed Melody to be ‘just the sweetest little girl.’
Asher left Melody in the shopping cart as he unpacked the groceries into the back of the truck before pushing the cart back to the store. He picked her up and crossed the street, heading to the clothing store.
“Hey, Asher, what can I do for you today?” LeeAnn asked him. She was the same age as the twins, and she’d visited the ranch a few times as part of their group.
“Hey, LeeAnn. How have you been?”
LeeAnn Lacroix smiled at him, and sighed. “Not too bad. Who’s this little angel?”
“This is Melody, and with the way the weather is turning, I’m thinking fall will be upon us sooner than we anticipated. I’m thinking winter clothes a size bigger than she is now,” Asher said.
LeeAnn tugged the label out at the back of Melody’s dress and bit her lip. “She’ll be going over to 18 months in the winter then. Let’s see what I’ve got for you.”
Asher followed LeeAnn through her store and nodded his head every time she held something up. The clothes were cute. LeeAnn even held up a little pair of cowboy jeans with rhinestones on the hem. He would definitely be buying her that pair of jeans.
Asher only bought enough to get her through fall and the impending chill that would soon start in the mornings and evenings. He bought warm onesie pajamas with feet on them, and four winter blankets for her crib.
Outside the store, he was stopped by Amy and Jennifer, Lorelei’s two friends. His expression remained stoic as he greeted them. “Amy, Jennifer.”
“Asher Fitzgerald, I never took you for the mean type,” Amy said.
“How am I mean?”
“Sashaying that baby everywhere. How must Lorelei feel?” Jennifer asked him.
“Last time I checked, Lorelei got engaged while I was deployed, and forgot to tell me she was seeing someone else,” Asher bit out. He was not going to get upset.
“And you shack up with the first woman who comes along?” Amy’s look was supposed to make him feel bad, but it didn’t.
“So what if I did? Lorelei set me free, so I can do as I please.”
Jennifer shook her head and crossed her arms over her chest. “And now she’s got you out buying clothes for her fatherless baby. How dumb are you, Asher? It’s clear she’s just using you.”
“Well, now, you two ladies don’t have to worry about my heart being broken. Maggie doesn’t even know I’m here buying clothes for little Melody. As I told Lorelei yesterday, she chose Winchester, and I accepted that. I don’t want her back. We were used to each other, that’s all. It would never have lasted between us.” With that said, Asher nodded his head, and crossed the street back to his truck.
“Asher!”
He turned his head, and sighed. “Well, this day just keeps on getting better and better.” Melody babbled something, as he clipped her into her car seat.
“I thought that was you,” he said, and looked down briefly, as he stuck his hands in his pockets.
“How are you, Winchester?”
“I just wanted to clear the air. I don’t want no bad blood between us,” he said.
“Okay.”
“I’m sure you’ve heard I asked Lorelei to marry me. She assured me things between you had been over for a while. But still, I just wanted to tell you that I never planned on falling for her. It happened really fast, and I hope you’re not too mad at me,” Winchester said, looking uncomfortable.
Asher gave him a smile. “You see this little girl? I’ve got my hands full, Winchester. I wish you and Lorelei well, and there’s no bad blood between us. I promise.”
“Thanks, Asher. I really appreciate that. She is a cutie pie.” When Winchester leaned closer, Melody’s smile disappeared. Asher almost started laughing.
“Have a good day, McRoy; I need to get her home,” Asher said.
“Oh, yeah, happy birthday, Asher. Come on down to the restaurant, one night. I’ll seat you and your lady at the best table on the house.”
“Thanks, it might be a while though. She was in a car accident, and broke her ankle, but I’ll take you up on that offer in about eight weeks.”
“Jeez, I’m sorry to hear that. I hope she recovers quickly, and I’ll make a note with the hostess. You’re welcome, anytime,” Winchester said. They shook hands, and Asher watched as he crossed the street, and headed to the real estate office.
On the drive back to the ranch, Asher lowered the music, and glanced in the rearview mirror. “Can you believe that, Melody? Lorelei’s stories keep getting more interesting by the day. Maybe next week, we would have never dated.” Melody laughed, clapping her hands.
“I’ll tell you a secret, Melody. Once someone has lied to you, and stomped on your heart, don’t ever look back. It’ll just get broken again,” Asher said. Melody looked up at him, and he could’ve sworn that she understood every word.
“But don’t you worry. I’ve got a rifle, and terrific aim. Ain’t nobody ever going to break your heart.”