Chapter 38 Part 38
Asher
He stood in the rain and watched Blair’s truck drive away. The laughter started deep and slow, but soon Asher had tears in his eyes from laughing so much. He must have looked insane, standing in the rain, and laughing like he didn’t have a care in the world.
He wiped the raindrops from his face, and walked back to the cover of the porch. His clothes had been drenched, so he took them off on the porch. He wrung the water out as he stood in his underwear before heading inside.
Dakota tilted his head to the side, and Asher chuckled again. “I know, buddy. I think I’ve finally lost my mind.”
Asher headed upstairs, and got dressed in pajamas. He felt different, as if the rain had cleansed him, somehow. He thought about Maggie’s words as he lay in bed, Dakota’s head resting next to his thigh. Her words had struck him deep.
He wasn’t perfect, far from it. So was she; he hadn’t, for one moment, thought she was perfect, but she had fit into his life perfectly. Had he bailed on her like she said? Of course he had. He hadn’t even asked her for her side of the story. He’d just stormed off in anger, lost his horse, and almost surrendered himself to the darkness.
She was right though; he’d turned his back on her at the first sign of trouble. Had he done that with Lorelei? He wasn’t sure. He hadn’t given her a commitment. He could have left the Army years ago, but he’d wanted to stay.
Sleep came easily after that realization, and when he woke up the next morning, Dakota sat next to his bed, tongue lolling out, looking like he was smiling. Asher stretched his arms, and sauntered downstairs to start the coffee machine.
Maggie had bought it for him, and he grinned again as he looked at it. He did love a strong cup in the mornings. She’d noticed. While he waited for the coffee, he went upstairs, took a shower, and got dressed for the day.
The storm had passed, leaving the world green and fresh. Asher sipped his coffee in the kitchen, staring out of the large windows. It was Saturday, and the hands were more than capable of handling the chores. He wasn’t going to help today.
Asher and Dakota got in the truck and drove past the main house. He smiled again as he thought about his father’s words. Damn fool. He hadn’t been wrong. Blair’s truck stood in front of Maggie’s house, and he gritted his teeth, but he kept driving.
“She’s not in love with him,” he said to Dakota. The dog’s ears pricked, but he made no sound. Asher didn’t know if that was a good thing or not.
Main Street was bustling with cars as he headed to the bakery, and picked up his order. Lauretta smiled secretly at him as he paid, and when he picked up the box of pastries, she winked at him. “Enjoy. I know those are Maggie’s favorites.”
Between the bakery and the bookstore was a small alley. Asher stopped just before he reached the alley to fish his keys out of his pocket. The windows of the truck were open, but he knew Dakota wouldn’t move unless his life was in danger.
“I found her, Sean. No worries. She lives in some house on the outskirts of town. I’ll pay her a visit tonight. You’ll get your money, either in cash, or in blood,” the voice said. “I’ll have some fun with her first, but she’ll be alive when I drop her off at your doorstep.”
Asher retreated, his blood running cold. He quickened his steps to his truck, and sped away from the curb. He glanced at the man in the alley, still talking on his phone. He looked like an outsider. Pale blonde hair with dark brown eyes. He was tall and lean, but he looked strong. His voice had sent shivers of fear down Asher’s spine.
His truck skidded to a stop in front of Maggie’s house, Blair’s truck now gone. Dakota jumped through the window and trotted behind him. The front door was locked, and Asher hammered on it, his heart hammering in his chest.
“Jeez, Asher, it’s barely 8 a.m.,” Maggie said.
“You need to pack your stuff and come with me,” he said.
She crossed her arms over her chest. “And why would I do that?”
“You’re not safe, and I won’t let you stay here, and put my daughter in danger.”
Maggie’s eyes widened. “Your daughter? You’re not her father, Asher.”
“Then who is, Maggie?”
She looked down, guilt flashing in her eyes. “I don’t know.”
“Exactly. I’m claiming her, and that makes her my daughter. Now pack your stuff.”
“You can’t just claim her! That’s not how this works,” she said, exasperated.
“I just did. This is what you meant last night. This is my declaration after your declaration. I’ll grab Melody’s stuff while you pack yours.”
Asher pushed past her into the house, and headed to Melody’s bedroom. The crib was empty, and although he’d expected it, it still felt like she was gone, not just visiting her grandfather.
“Asher! You can’t do this. You said you could barely look at me, and now I just need to pack up my stuff because you feel like it?”
“Maggie, there was a man in town. He’s looking for you, and he knows where you live. I can’t protect you here; it’s too open. You’ll be safe on the ranch. Stop being such a hardass and pack. We’ll figure the rest out later, but I’m not leaving you here.”
“Because it’s the neighborly thing to do?” Her voice held a challenge, and Asher’s eyes blazed.
“No, because I love you. Now go pack, or I swear I’ll throw you over my shoulder, and carry you to the ranch!”
Maggie smiled, and then she laughed. “You love me?”
“Yes, woman, now get a move on.”
An hour later, Asher’s truck was loaded, and so was Maggie’s truck. She drove in front as Asher followed her back to the ranch. She’d packed up the whole house, not that she had that much stuff, but she’d taken everything.
It made Asher feel victorious.