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Chapter Fourteen

ASHER

T he next morning, Asher woke up and went to Abe’s for breakfast. Being greeted like a picture of domestic bliss made his headache even worse.

Abe and Julie were sitting at the table, drinking coffee, while Ruby was eating scrambled eggs and a biscuit with jam.

Asher wanted to put his head through the wall, so he put those emotions in check.

“Good morning, Uncle Asher!”

“Hey, Peanut.” He ruffled her dark curls before heading into the kitchen to pour himself coffee.

“I was looking at the schedule today, and we’re all caught up. We don’t have to start working on the pieces for the Midsommer Festival for a few more days. Do you want to go to Sunny and fix her porch?” Abe asked.

“Oh, Abe. I almost forgot to tell you,” Julie interjected. “The fence for the garden has a hole in it, and the bunnies keep getting in and eating my herbs. Can you fix that?”

“Of course. I’ll do that when we finish here.”

“After I finish that, I’ll head down to Sunny’s,” said Abe.

Asher nodded and blew out a breath.

“Alright, sweetheart, let’s get you to school,” Julie said as Ruby started gathering her things.

“Can you drop me off at Sunny’s house after? I left my truck there.”

“Sure, let’s go!” Julie called out as they guided Ruby out the door. “I’ll be back later.” She reached up on her toes to kiss Abe goodbye.

As they dropped Ruby off, Asher was still lost in thought. He had contemplated staying in the woods the night before, but his wolf was done with him.

His wolf and everyone else around him seemed to think he should be over what Sunny had done. But all he knew was when he saw her take the envelope from the suit, he saw red. He saw her taking the money, loading back up into her house on wheels, and hitting the road again.

After dropping Ruby off, Julie started on her way to Sunny’s house.

“So, Asher, how are things going with you and Sunny?”

He blew out a long breath and kept his gaze out the window.

“I don’t know...” he said. The sun hit his eyes. There was no escaping Sunny. “It’s complicated.”

“Yeah, I gathered. Do you forgive her for leaving?”

“I understand why she left,” he said darkly.

“That’s not the same as forgiving her.”

“No... it’s not.”

They both sat in silence as Julie drove.

“I’m trying... I thought I would be able to put it behind me, but it’s harder than I thought.”

Julie nodded and kept driving. It was just like her to be quiet and not say anything.

He took another deep breath.

He was not mad at Julie, wasn’t even mad at Sunny... Well, he was, but that wasn’t the heart of it.

“I think I’m just afraid she’s going to leave again. I want her here. I want to be with her. I feel it in my bones, but I’m just afraid she’s going to leave again.”

“What do you need to trust that she’s not going to leave?”

Julie asked that question like there was a simple answer.

“I don’t know.”

“Just give it time,” she said as they pulled up to the house.

“Yeah, you’re right. Thanks, Julie. I’ll see you later.”

He got out of her car and headed up to the house... Only something caught his eye. And it wasn’t the state of this deteriorating house.

There, on her van, was a For Sale sign. He marched over to the van and ripped it off before stomping up the porch.

He pounded on the door.

Sunny answered, surprised. “Asher?”

“What is this?” He held up the sign.

She just shrugged, and it enraged him. “Why are you selling your van?”

“I don’t know.” She broke eye contact and bit her lip.

“Sunny,” he said cautiously.

“I don’t know what to do, Asher. I know there is no magic fix to what I did.

I know you are going to need time to trust me.

But I thought we were making progress. But then the way you stormed off yesterday, thinking I was even entertaining the idea of selling, I thought maybe if I sold my van and got a car or something, you might trust me a bit more. ”

His arm fell to his side, and all the fight left his body. His wolf gave an irritated grunt. And, of course, his wolf was right—he acted like an ass.

“I’m sorry about yesterday. I should’ve given you a chance to explain. I’m just scared.” He fidgeted with the loose hinge on the door, trying to rotate the screw tighter with his fingernail.

He would have to fix this, too.

“Of what?”

“Of you leaving again.”

Closing her mouth, she nodded. “I know, and I know the only thing that can fix that is time, but I thought a grand gesture might help... Plus, I could use the money to fix up this house. I can only manage so much with shifts at the Corner Tap.”

“I can help with the house. Abe and I can fix just about anything, and when Bridget is back, I’m sure she’ll have an idea.”

“Okay,” she said, shifting uncomfortably.

“Let’s go sit down.”

He couldn’t tolerate the look of her in pain, and she was still dealing with the sprain.

Once inside, he sat on her couch. The same place where Sunny had told him why she left and what it’s been like.

But he hadn’t shared his truth.

It was time.

“You told me what it was like when you left, but I don’t think I ever told you what it was like here.

Your leaving split me in half. I know you feel the mate bond differently than I do.

But it was like half of me was gone, and I had no idea how to heal from that.

I had no idea if you were coming back. I had no idea if you were alive or dead because I couldn’t feel you.

I could just feel the cold, empty pit inside of me. ”

He shifted his weight, wanting to do anything but talk about it.

He had never talked about it. Abe was the best brother in the world, but until recently, he wasn’t really into talking about feelings—or even expressing any, from what Asher could see. Asher, on the other hand, had always had feelings... too many feelings.

“After you left, it was a big hubbub in the town, as I’m sure you can imagine.

But after a couple weeks, they were onto something else, but I wasn’t.

I never could. I tried to numb the pain anyway I could, but nothing ever helped.

Now you’re back, and while that void is gone, I’m still a fucking mess of emotions.

” He blew out a rough breath, yanked the tie out of his hair, and ran his hands through his dark curls.

“Yesterday... even the idea of you leaving again was too much. That thought of feeling like that again...” He swallowed hard. “Well, I can’t even think about it.”

“Asher,” she said, tentatively reaching for him. “I’m so sorry. You deserved better than that. I’m going to show you I’m here to stay.”

“Do you want to sell your van?”

She shrugged but was not convincing.

“Okay, let’s take this down. Let Abe and I do what we can. Would you like to get your parlor back open? I know people here will come to you like they did your mom.”

She nodded and chewed on her lip. “Okay, I won’t sell my van, but I’m not sure about the parlor. I mean, I would love it. I’d love to have the house back to what it once was and have people come here for help, but that room has been closed for a long time.”

“Well,” he said, slipping his hand into hers. “Maybe it’s time we opened it back up.”

Her face scrunched, and she sat on the couch.

“What is it?”

She chewed on her lips and wrung out her hands.

“Sunny, what is it?” He came over to her and put his hand on her leg.

At that mere contact, a jolt of electricity shot through him that had his wolf ready to go. But with as much as this touch made him want to do things, he wasn’t sure if he was there yet.

“That door has been closed since she died. My dad wouldn’t let me in it when he was still alive... I did try to open it when I first got back.”

She paused, and the pain on her face was clear. Like always, she was his sunshine. He never could stand to see her upset.

“What happened?”

“I had a vision,” she said quietly.

He nodded.

He also knew visions could mean just about anything when it came to Sunny. It could be a feeling, a dream-like vision, or something that almost transported her.

“And it’s been the same vision since I’ve been back. It’s like I’m at the accident and choking on the smoke.”

Without even thinking about it, he slid his arms around and pulled her into a hug.

That was it.

Everything slid back into place. His wolf rolled over in contentment, and the bond sang.

She sighed and melted into him.

He bent his head and breathed in the fresh floral scent that reminded him of all the time they’d spend together.

All the memories they’d made over the years flashed through his mind as he gave over to the bond.

She was his mate. No matter what happened. She was his, and she’d come back to him. He pressed a reverent kiss to the top of her head. It was done.

“Do you want to go in together?” he asked, running a soothing hand up and down her back.

She nodded against his chest.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. If the suit was back, he was going to let his wolf out...

“Are you expecting anyone?” he asked as she pulled away.

She shook her head and hobbled over to the door. “You have crutches for a reason, Sunny.”

When she looked over her shoulder and gave him the Sunny smirk, it finally settled deep in his soul, just like always.

He stood and went behind her as she pulled the door open. At first, he didn’t see anything, as he wasn’t looking low enough.

“Bridget!” Sunny said before throwing her arms around the short, round woman.

“Ock, goodness me, Sunshine! Look at ye,” Bridget said in her thick Scottish brogue. “Why, ye haven’t changed a day.”

“Well, that’s not true. I don’t think I’ve seen you since I was seventeen. You, on the other hand, look exactly the same.”

Bridget gave her a knowing wink.

“Please come in,” Sunny said.

“Sunny, lass, are ye well?”

“What?” Sunny looked at her, confused. “I’m fine.”

“She fell and sprained her ankle,” Asher said.

“Some things never change,” Bridget said.

Asher chuckled as Sunny scowled at both of them. “Oh, come on. I’m not that bad.”

“I think yer ankle speaks for itself. Can I take a look?” Bridget asked.

Sunny sat. “I’m fine. Really.”

Bridget bent down and placed her hand on Sunny’s ankle. “There. Good as new.”

Sunny flexed her foot, and sure enough, all the pain was gone.

“It’s good to have you back,” Asher said, patting her on the back. “How was North Carolina?”

“It’s one of my favorite fairs. It was fun, but I see I came back just in time,” Bridget said with a grin Asher wasn’t sure he liked.

“In time for what?” Asher asked.

“I’m not sure,” Bridget said as she stood from where she had been crouching to heal Sunny’s ankle. “But with Sunny’s return, it looks like there is a coven in Hecate’s Hollow again. I’ll see ye again soon!”

Bridget stood and left just as quickly as she showed up, leaving Sunny and Asher shaking their heads.

“What was that?” Sunny asked.

“Bridget.” Asher shrugged.

There was no explanation for her besides that. Bridget came and went as she pleased and usually left people scratching their heads.

“How’s your ankle?” he asked, helping her from the couch.

She took a tentative step and then another before turning and beaming up at him. “It’s fine.”

“Bridget... I’ll never understand her, but I’m just glad she’s on our side.”

“Right?”

“Well, not that I can walk a little better. I think I want to tackle a bit more cleaning... or did you want to go into the parlor?”

Sunny’s brow furrowed, and Asher ached to take the trepidation from her face.

“Let’s save that for another day,” she finally said.

“Okay, I’ll get the porch finished up.”

And just like that, they got back to work, fixing up the house and patching themselves.