Chapter 88 Part 88
Asher
He held the door open for Emerson and he could hear his family in the dining room. When he closed the front door, their conversation stopped, and Emerson looked questioningly at him.
“Eden calls you my mystery woman, and she told my brothers. They’re just excited to meet you.”
“Am I the first woman you’re bringing home in a very long time?”
“Listen, I don’t lie to my family. We have no secrets from each other. If my brothers know what’s going on, it’s extra eyes on the ranch for anything out of place,” Asher said.
“I trust you, Asher. Mark called you his brother, and that means more than you think,” she said.
He nodded his head, and led the way. Emerson followed him and every head turned in their direction when Asher appeared in the doorway. He chuckled at the expectant looks on their faces.
“Idiots,” Asher muttered. Colt barked out a laugh.
Emerson followed Asher into the dining room, and smiled. “Hi, everyone. I’m Emma.”
“This is Blair, he runs the cattle operation on the ranch. That is Dylan and Colt, they run the horses. Eden is my sister, and she’s basically in charge, and tells everyone what to do. Finn is the youngest, and he’s a deputy with the Sheriff’s Department,” Asher said, as they each acknowledged her and turned to his father. “This is our father, Thomas.”
Emerson smiled, and stepped closer to Thomas. “It’s really nice to meet you. You’ve raised a good son.”
Thomas grinned. “You’re very welcome, Emma.”
“Eden might refer to me as Asher’s mystery woman, and his ex called me the flavor of the month earlier, but if Asher trusts you all, then I trust you as well. My real name is Emerson Reid, and I’m in protective custody. Asher was kind enough to offer me a place to stay until they catch my ex-boyfriend. I’m testifying against him on charges of drugs, murder, racketeering, and trafficking. I understand completely if you feel that I shouldn’t be here. Grover Balducci is a very dangerous man, and if he finds me he will kill me. He escaped while they were transporting him, which is why I’m here. I wouldn’t take offense if you felt that I should leave,” she said.
They all stared at her in varying stages of shock. Asher looked intently at her and shook his head. “You didn’t have to say all that.”
“This is your family, Asher, they deserve to know what’s going on.”
“Is that what the hair color was for?” Eden asked.
“Yeah, I’ve changed her appearance as much as I can,” Asher said.
“We got rifles, and we all know how to shoot,” Colt said, with a grin.
“The ranch is the safest place for her. Who’s going to look for a material witness in Two Bear Meadow?” Blair said.
“Damn, I really thought Asher had finally found a woman we could all tease him about,” Dylan said.
“What’s this flavor of the month business?” Finn asked, as he smiled at Asher.
“Emma might have given Lorelei the impression that we’re together because it’s easier to explain her presence on the ranch to other people,” Asher said.
His father remained quiet, and Asher watched him intently. His opinion was the only one that really mattered to him. Everybody could be on board but if his father said no, he’d take Emerson somewhere else.
“Well, it’s been a while since I got my rifle out. Finn will notice any new faces in town. Like Blair said, the ranch is the safest place for her. Chances are they catch the bastard, and he never knows she was here.”
“This is your ranch and your lives. I’ve just met you all, but your reaction tells me you’re good people. Grover is insane,” Emerson said.
“If and when someone comes here, we’ll handle it,” Thomas said. “Now, let’s eat before the food gets cold.”
They ate and made small talk about things that needed to be done on the ranch. Emerson asked questions and kept the conversation flowing. She surprised Asher with the type of questions she asked. Did they do artificial insemination, or let nature take its course? Did they do hormone implants on the heifers? Her intelligence surprised him because he’d been sure that she was some spoiled city girl caught in a bad situation.
“Drop her by the office when you do your rounds, Asher. I’ll keep her company,” Eden said.
“Can I? I’d really like that. Not that you’re not compelling company, Asher, but she is a woman, and even though you are very pretty for a man, sometimes you just need a woman’s ear,” Emerson said.
Colt barked out a loud laugh, and slapped the table. “Pretty Asher.”
“Shut up,” Asher growled.
“He is kinda pretty,” Eden said, as she grinned.
“He’s a bit bossy, but they can’t all be perfect, right?”
Eden laughed. “I like her. We’ll have fun in the barn.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Asher said.
“She’s not wrong, Asher. I’m not sure about that whole pretty business, but you are bossy,” Blair said.
“What happened to being on my side?” Asher asked him.
“You need back-up for a little thing like her?” Finn asked.
“Nah, I’m pretty sure I can tame her,” Asher said, and gave Emerson a stern look as she opened her mouth. “Don’t say it. It’s getting late.”
“It was just getting interesting!”
The men chuckled, and Eden walked Emerson to the door, their arms hooked in, and whispering. Asher cleared his throat and Eden laughed.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said, and blew Asher a kiss.
They drove back to his house in silence and Emerson rested her head against the window. “You okay?”
“Your family’s really nice, Asher. You’re lucky to have them.”
“I know.”
“You know, if I had this at my fingertips, I’d never let go,” she said.
“If you had what? A family?”
“I understand now why Lorelei’s so adamant in getting you back.”
“She didn’t much like me living on the ranch. Threw a hissy fit when I built my house. She prefers to be in town, in the spotlight, so I don’t think you’re right,” he said.
Emerson smiled, and looked at him. “Sometimes a woman just knows these things. You hit the jackpot here. This life, the ranch, your family, it’s what dreams are made of.”