Chapter 122 Part 122
Asher
Four months later
The wolf had stayed for four weeks, his wounds healing well. The stitches had started to dissolve at around two weeks. The morning that he finally left, he scratched on the front door, and rubbed his head against Asher’s leg. When the door opened, he looked at Asher for a long time before running off, stopping at the tree line, and howling.
The snow had melted and gave way to spring, and the boys had settled in nicely. Jeff Crowley had gone to jail for abuse and neglect, and Asher had petitioned the courts to adopt both boys. Their testimony had sealed the deal for Jeff, and Asher sat through it all, his anger building and building, as both boys told their horrific tale of how Jeff had abused them for years.
His parental rights had been relinquished by the court, and Asher had temporary custody of them. He wanted to make it permanent. The boys deserved to have a home where they were loved and cared for.
He thought about Emerson occasionally, his heart still contracting painfully whenever he did think about her. He still missed her, but he knew that a life on the ranch with him would probably mean that he’d be holding her back.
Eden was on the verge of giving birth, and they were all excited. Between the contractors, Asher and Winchester, with the occasional help from the other brothers, their house had been built, and they had moved in three weeks earlier.
Asher and Winchester had bought the land lying between the ranch and the Lansing house, and their sheep were nice and fat. Asher kept himself busy during the day, helping Eden out with her administrative duties so she could rest more.
His life was perfect, except for one thing.
He tore open the envelope with the prison postage mark and sat down at the kitchen table, glad that the boys were at school.
“To Asher,
I understand that my boys are living in your house. Now that I’m sober and have had time to reflect on the things I did and the person I was, I realize exactly what I had done to them. They will never forgive me and I don’t deserve their forgiveness, but I want you to know that I do regret it.
I don’t expect I’ll ever see them again, but I’m glad they found a safe place with you. I went to school with your mother, and I remember what kind of person she was. I have faith that you love my boys, and that you’re looking after them well. I have no excuse for my actions other than the bottle, but hurting them will be the one thing I will always regret.
Take care of them.
Jeff Crowley.”
Asher put the letter down, and shook his head. It was a little too late for apologies, but he had to give the man credit. It took a real man to admit his mistakes.
He put the letter on the coffee table, and pulled the ringing phone from his pocket. “Eden?”
“I can’t reach Winchester and I don’t think I peed myself.”
Asher’s eyes widened. “I’ll be right there. Sit tight.”
He ran out of the house, spun the tires of his truck as he sped off toward Eden’s house, where she was on bedrest. Winchester had gone into town an hour earlier, but it wasn’t like him to not answer his phone.
Inside Eden’s house, he took the stairs two at a time and found Eden trying to put on her shoes.
“Let me do that,” Asher said.
“Thanks, I’m not walking into that hospital barefoot.” Asher chuckled, as he put her shoes on, grabbed her bag, and bent to pick her up.
“I can walk, Asher! I’m not some damsel in distress. Just hold my hand down the stairs,” she said, firmly.
When they finally made it to the bottom, Asher helped her outside and into his truck. She fussed with the safety belt and cursed under her breath when she couldn’t get it to snap into place.
“Just let me do it,” Asher said, and clicked it in.
“Asher, I feel a contraction coming on. You better get me to that hospital. I’m not having this baby on the side of the road like some wild animal!”
Asher sped away from her house and three minutes later, parked his truck over two spots, and pulled Eden’s door open. She shook her head as she got out and then her face contorted in pain again. She clenched her teeth, but she didn’t scream.
“That’s it, I’m carrying you in,” Asher said, and before Eden could say a word, he was already heading toward the automatic doors. “Get me a doctor!”
Every head turned toward them, and Eden started to laugh. “Put me down, Asher. Everyone’s looking at you like you’ve lost your mind.”
Lindy grinned when she saw them, and headed over with a wheelchair. “Did your water break?”
“Yeah, her water broke ten minutes ago, and she had two contractions on our way over.” Asher put Eden down, and then got her settled in the wheelchair.
“Then I guess that baby will be here very soon. Let’s get you checked out. Marcy! Page the OB on call! I’m taking her to room 4!”
Asher followed behind them, and when Lindy wheeled her into a room, he stepped inside, as well. She checked Eden’s blood pressure, and turned to look at Asher. “Get her in that gown. Her blood pressure’s a bit high, but it’s okay for now.”
Eden glared at Asher. “I can do it. Go outside.”
“You couldn’t even put your own shoes on. It’s not like you have anything I haven’t seen before,” Asher said, as he pulled her shoes off.
Eden narrowed her eyes but lifted her arms, and Asher pulled her shirt over her head. The hospital gown covered her in seconds, and Asher clipped it closed at the back. Eden pulled her tights down to her knees and Asher took them off. Her underwear was next but Asher didn’t say a word, just folded her clothes, and placed them on the chair next to her bag.
“Thank you, Asher.”
“I told you that night. I’m here for you. This is just biology, there’s nothing to be shy about, besides, I’m your brother.”
“Can you try Winchester again?”
The door opened and a middle-aged man stepped inside, rubbing the sanitizer over his hands. “Good morning, are we ready to have a baby?”