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All Chapters of The Lansing House: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

154 Chapters

Part 1

AsherAsher lugged his army-issue duffel bag over his shoulder as he disembarked the chopper, and moved toward the hangar. He straightened and saluted his commander, with only 28 minutes to go before he was officially discharged.“At ease, Major Fitzgerald.”Asher relaxed his shoulders a little, and clasped his hands behind his back. He’d done four tours which lasted 12 months each, and two tours lasting 18 months apiece. He was done now. It was time to go home, settle down, and work the ranch.“Your papers have been signed. Good luck, in the civilian world,” Lieutenant Colonel Granger said. He handed the paperwork to Asher, and they shook hands. “Your folks must be relieved.”“Yes, sir. My father will be glad to have me home for a change,” Asher said.His captain wished him well, and when Asher walked through the hangar toward the offices to hand in his papers, he sighed with regret. Fitzgerald had been an asset, a sniper, a man who held no fear, and he was sorry to see him go.An ho

Last Updated : 2025-10-23

Part 2

MaggieShe took a deep breath, and watched as Asher lifted his hand in a wave, as the police car drove away. She’d nearly had a heart attack when she saw Melody in his arms. She chuckled, as she thought about how ridiculous she must have looked, hitting him with the broom.Melody made another gurgling sound, and Maggie turned her head to look at her. “What do you think, Baby Girl? Is Asher Fitzgerald a good man?” Melody made another sound, which could have meant anything, but the smile on her face said she thought so.She brought the suitcases and boxes into the house, and sighing as she looked around. The place really was a dump, but she couldn’t afford anything else, plus, being on the edge of town worked for her. She didn’t need or want nosy neighbors.Asher was tall, probably over six feet. His hair was dark, and his eyes looked like a threatening gray sky just before it rained. Right before he smiled at her, she’d thought he looked mean, but that smile changed everything. She sho

Last Updated : 2025-10-23

Part 3

AsherOnce the large ranch house came into view, Asher could feel the last of his exhaustion melting away. He was home. Finn hadn’t stopped talking, but Asher wasn’t really listening. He had plenty on his mind. After Finn parked the car, Asher grabbed his duffel bag.The inside of the house smelled like pipe tobacco, apple pie, and coffee. He’d missed those smells. Home. When Finn opened the kitchen door, five heads turned to look at them. Eden squealed, her chair almost capsizing as she pushed it out, and flung herself at Asher. “You’re home!”“Missed you, too, Edie,” he said, as he hugged her.“The prodigal son returns,” Dylan said, as he hugged Asher, and slapped him on his back.His father, Thomas Fitzgerald, stood up, and hugged Asher tightly. “Welcome home, Son.”His other brothers, Blair and Colt, hugged him as well, and by the time he sat down, a plate with cutlery, and a cup of coffee had appeared at the head of the table, across from his father. He’d made the right decision

Last Updated : 2025-10-23

Part 4

AsherWhen Maggie left, he got the box from his truck, placing it near the back, where he knew Marvin would first go through the inventory. He put the box down and almost walked over Marvin, who stood right behind him.“I thought that was you,” Marvin said, and shook Asher’s hand.“How are you, Marvin?”“You on leave?” Marvin stuck his hands in his pockets, and leaned against the wall.“Nah, I’m home for good. I did my duty, and now it’s time I did my duty on the ranch, too.”Marvin nodded his head. “I’m sure your daddy’s mighty happy.”“Tell me, Marvin, do you know the young woman that was in your store just now?” Marvin knew everyone in town, and more often than not, he also knew what they were up to.“Nope, first time I’ve ever seen her. She was peering at the crib over there, looking like she was trying to work out just how badly she needed it.”Asher wasn’t sure what it was, but something tugged at his heart. “I met her this morning. She was moving into the Lansing house.”Marvin

Last Updated : 2025-10-23

Part 5

MaggieIt took her an hour to drag her mattress to the floor of her room. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and sighed. It would just have to do; at least they weren’t sleeping on the floor. When that was done, she made herself a sandwich, and fed Melody the pumpkin she’d cooked earlier.It was just past 7 p.m. when Melody finished her bottle and yawned. “Let’s get you bathed and ready for bed.”When headlights flashed across the windows, Maggie walked to her front door. It was still open but the screened door was locked. The heat was insufferable. She squinted out into the darkness, but Asher’s size and the way he moved were unmistakable. She had no idea how she knew it was him, but she did.Two doors were closed, then the little gate was opened, and Asher was walking toward her porch. She unlocked the screened door, and Melody started to make gurgling noises, lifting her arms toward Asher.“I’m sorry to bother you so late,” Asher said.“Is everything okay?” She didn’t know what

Last Updated : 2025-10-23

Part 6

AsherHis knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel, and Dylan kept glancing at him. He parked his truck in front of the main house before they both walked inside. They could smell dinner, so they headed to the dining room.“You’re late,” Thomas said, in a gruff voice.“Sorry,” Asher said, and sat down at the table.“Did she like it? Was she happy?” Eden asked, excitement evident in her voice.“Was who happy?” Colt asked, as he gave Dylan a look.“Asher bought a crib for that woman in the Lansing house. He made Eden fix the mattress while he painted the crib. We just took it over there,” Dylan said.“I didn’t buy the crib. Marvin gave it to me,” Asher said.“You got a liking for this woman?” Blair asked, as he folded his hands together, his elbows resting on the table.When Asher didn’t say anything, Dylan chuckled. “Well, the baby sure likes him.”“Can we just eat?”Thomas said grace, and they all dug into their food. His siblings kept giving him looks until Asher finally

Last Updated : 2025-10-23

Part 7

MaggieHer car rattled on the dirt road leading to the ranch, and she cursed herself once again for agreeing to have dinner with the whole Fitzgerald family. Melody kept babbling in the back, but Maggie’s gaze was frozen on the house as it came into view.The house was magnificently large, with a wrap-around porch, trees lining the driveway, and green rolling hills as far as the eye could see. It was beautiful. Maggie felt the shame creep onto her cheeks. Asher had spent most of the day inside her house, fixing things, while he lived here.She was about to turn her car around when the front door opened, and Asher appeared on the porch, lifted his hand in a wave, and smiled. Once she parked her car, he was there instantly, opening her door, and extending a hand to help her out.“Glad you could make it,” Asher said.“I feel a little out of my depth,” she admitted.Asher frowned as he opened the rear door, and unbuckled Melody from her seat. “You’ve got nothing to worry about. We’re just

Last Updated : 2025-10-23

Part 8

AsherHe pulled up to the church in his truck and gritted his teeth. Lorelei Adams stood on the steps with her two best friends, Amy Lancaster and Jennifer Casterley, who owned the coffee shop in town. He’d conveniently not thought about her since his first night home. He’d been preoccupied with thoughts of Maggie and Melody.As if sent by God himself to save him, Maggie came walking down the sidewalk with Melody on her hip. Melody immediately thrust her arms out at him, and he smiled as he took her from Maggie. “Good morning, little lady.”Melody babbled and grabbed his finger. Maggie smiled as she shifted the baby bag higher up on her shoulder. “Hi, Asher.”“Maggie,” he said. He guided her to the steps of the church, receiving more than one look. He knew what they were thinking since the looks the trio gave him were scathing. “Ladies.”“I didn’t know you were back,” Lorelei said, looking hurt.“Oh, he came back on Friday,” Maggie said, smiling at them.“Let’s head inside. I’m sure E

Last Updated : 2025-10-23

Part 9

MaggieThe recipe for the blueberry pie currently baking in the oven was copied from the internet. After church, she’d gone to the store to buy the ingredients. She wanted to do something nice for Asher. He’d included her in their row at church, not letting her sit by herself, and she truly appreciated it.It was nice to be included; it wasn’t something she was used to. Melody really liked him, and if she was honest, she really liked him, too. There was nothing she didn’t like about him. She’d been in two minds about going to church, but she knew how small towns worked. If she wanted to be accepted, she needed to go to church.An hour later, the pie was wrapped in a dishcloth on the floor of the passenger side, and her car was bumping down the dirt road to the ranch. She drove past the entry to the main house and followed the road for another two miles to Asher’s house. She hoped it was his house.She parked the car, got Melody out, and grabbed the pie. On the porch, she placed the pi

Last Updated : 2025-10-23

Part 10

AsherHe showered quickly, pulling another pair of jeans on with a clean T-shirt, and made his way back to the kitchen, barefoot. Maggie was busy slicing a cucumber, and had a salad bowl in front of her. Melody was crawling around on the floor, and she started babbling when she saw him.He picked Melody up, handing her a plastic spoon from the drawer. It went to her mouth instantly. He opened the fridge just as the front door of his house opened. “Asher! I brought that baby chair you wanted!”“In the kitchen, Colt!” The younger brother appeared a few moments later with the clip-on eating chair, and he hooked it onto the edge of the kitchen table.“Hi, Maggie, fancy seeing you here,” Colt said.“Hi, Colt.”“You got room for one more?” Colt asked, as he stared at the steaks Asher was spicing.“No, now get,” Asher said.Colt grinned, leaning against the doorframe. “Are your panties still in a twist over Lorelei’s visit? We all saw her car driving up here this afternoon.”“Go home, Colt,

Last Updated : 2025-10-23

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