Chapter 83 Part 83
Asher
“If you have a phone with you, give it to Mark so he can get rid of it.”
“I don’t have a phone. I don’t have anything electronic that can be traced,” she said.
“Good. The sooner you leave, the harder it will be to trace you,” Asher said to Mark.
“Mark,” Emerson said, and looked worriedly at him.
“You’ll be fine, Emerson. I trust Asher with my life, my kid’s life. If there’s one person on this earth that can and will keep you safe, it’s Asher. He was one of the best snipers the Army ever produced. You’re in safe hands, I promise.”
“Okay, if you trust him, then I trust him,” Emerson said.
“Do what he says and you’ll survive this,” Mark said.
“I will.”
Mark emptied his cup, rinsed it, and placed it on the rack to dry. “Thanks for doing this, Asher. Keep an eye on the news. You’ll know when we have him.”
“Give my love to Polly,” Asher said, as the two men hugged, and slapped each other on the back.
Mark walked out without another word, and Asher followed behind him. Mark handed him a large duffel bag and a suitcase. “Almost forgot this,” Mark said, and extracted a thick envelope from his jacket.
“I get paid to do this?”
Mark chuckled. “Living costs. Don’t spend it all at once.”
“Keep yourself alive,” Asher said.
“You, too, my brother.”
Mark drove down the western road with the headlights off and Asher headed back inside. He locked the front door behind him and he felt Emerson’s presence in the living room.
“Your room is upstairs.” He took the stairs and she followed dutifully behind him. He switched the light on and placed her luggage at the foot of the bed. “Bathroom’s through there. Make yourself at home. There are no restrictions on moving in the house. My room’s at the end of the hall if you need anything.”
“Thank you for doing this,” she said.
“Get some rest, we’ll talk in the morning,” Asher said, and left her in the bedroom.
He left his door slightly ajar and pulled out his phone. He opened his messages and selected Eden’s name.
Asher - Drive to the city tomorrow morning and buy the following items. Don’t ask any questions and use cash. Go to a mall.
3 boxes of dark brown permanent hair color
1 pair of boots for riding size 7
1 pair of boots for ranching size 7
work shirts you’d buy for yourself size M
5 pairs of jeans size 4
Asher sent the text and headed to the bathroom. He splashed water on his face and brushed his teeth. He changed into pajama bottoms and lay on top of the comforter, his hands under his head.
He woke three times during the night. Twice when Emerson cried in her sleep, and another time when his nightmare reached its peak, just before they shot Dakota in the head.
It was still early but Asher knew that dawn would soon greet them. He got dressed and headed outside to his stable. He fed and watered the horse before clipping the leading rein on. He led him to the outside corral and let him loose. There was enough shade for the horse and the water system was working fine. He went back for Betty and let her loose inside the corral, as well. She was a breeding mare he’d bought a few weeks earlier with a beautiful rose grey coat. One Star had been a champion race horse in his younger years, but now that he was retired, Asher only rode him around the ranch.
Satisfied that they had enough feed, Asher went back inside to muck their stalls. The sun rose when Asher started on Betty’s stall, just as Rick made an appearance.
“Morning, Asher,” he said.
“Morning,” he replied. “The horses are set. You can go to the main barn today.”
“Okay.” The young man gave him a glance before he left the barn, and Asher was alone again.
He updated their feeding logs and oiled the saddles. He took his time with the equipment, and by the time he was done, it was past 7 a.m. Sweat had rolled down his back and his stomach was rumbling.
He headed back to the house and headed straight for the bathroom to shower and change. He had no idea what to do with the woman down the hall. Technically, he’d never lived with one before.
He headed back downstairs to the kitchen and got the bacon and eggs from the fridge. He made breakfast for himself since there was still no sign of Emerson. He washed the dishes and made another cup of coffee when he finally heard her on the stairs. She walked into the kitchen wearing a short summer dress with sandals on her feet. Her hair was done and her makeup was flawless.
“Morning,” she said, looking around awkwardly.
“Morning. Do you want breakfast?”
“I’m starving, that would be great,” she said, and sat down at the kitchen table. “I take two sugars with my coffee.”
Amusement flashed in his eyes as he looked at her. He didn’t say anything but made her two eggs and a cup of coffee. He warmed the bacon a little and put the plate in front of her with the coffee and cutlery.
“Thanks, this looks great,” she said, and started to eat.
Asher sat down opposite her and waited. His phone rang and he looked at Eden’s name displayed on the screen.
“Eden.”
“Who is this stuff for? Why do I have to go to the mall?”
“I said no questions. We’ll talk face to face when you get back from the city.”
“I’m not one of your Army underlings, Asher,” Eden said.
“Nah, but you love me all the same, and will do as I ask,” he said, with a smile.
“My love only stretches so far!”
“See you later,” he said.
“Fine, love you.”
“Love you, too.” Asher ended the call and looked at Emerson. She’d been watching him the entire time.