The Lansing House のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 131 - チャプター 140

EmersonShe hadn’t slept much, but she got out of bed at 8 a.m., and took a shower. She still had a lot of unpacking to do but her back ached, and when she looked at all the boxes, she just didn’t have the energy.She made herself a cup of tea, and rubbed her temples when someone knocked on the front door. Her thoughts were still in turmoil. Everything Asher had said the previous night kept replaying in her mind.“You’re pregnant! You don’t call or write!”Emerson grinned as Eden hugged her. “I missed you too, Eden.”“Imagine my surprise this morning when Asher insists we all eat breakfast at the main house, and he drops this on us! I nearly choked on my coffee, woman!”“Would you like to come inside, or are you going to stand on my porch all day and yell at me?”“You have a lot of explaining to do,” Eden said, and walked past her inside the house.Emerson closed the front door with a smile, and followed her into the kitchen. She switched the kettle on as Eden looked around.“Winchest

AsherHe had a lot to think about, as he drove back to the ranch. Emerson should’ve run the morning he nearly choked her to death. It was something he was so ashamed of that he hadn’t mentioned it to Mary. Maybe she wouldn’t be so quick to talk about love if she knew that.Blair stood on his porch, his hat in his hands. Asher got out of his truck, and regarded his brother warily. He looked like a man on a mission. Asher took the steps one at a time, and went to stand next to his brother.“Blair.”“Just checking in, brother.”Asher smiled and shook his head. “Why?”“You love her, but you don’t want to love her. It’s going to mess with your head, and I won’t let you do anything stupid.”“Like what, Blair? You think I’m going to ride off to the cliff and jump?”“No. You won’t jump. There would be a chance of survival. You’d go out there, and shoot yourself, so we didn’t have to find your body or clean up your blood.”Asher gripped the wooden railing tightly, and lowered his gaze to the w

AsherThe first rays of the sun spread across the horizon, painting the sky purple, then orange. The land in front of them transformed into a brilliance of greens, browns, and blues as the sun rose higher.The horses’ hooves thundered over the open field across from Asher’s house. In an hour’s time though, they would all be sweating, long before they even reached the high pastures where the cattle were grazing.The horses sped down the gentle slope and into the meadow, and Asher could hear Cassidy laughing behind him. The smell of trees, the bright blue sky, the powerful horse beneath him, it all made him feel alive.There were no nightmares, no armed guards, and no cell. There was no torture, no gun pressed against the back of his head forcing him to kneel. He couldn’t smell the sand out here, only trees, sweat, and flowers.They slowed the horses near the treeline that flanked the meadow, and headed up the mountain’s slope. When they reached the stream, they all dismounted, and let

Asher“Colt! There’s one coming your way!” Asher had the rope in his hand, but he didn’t want to leave Cassidy alone on this side. “I see him!” Colt yelled.Cassidy had quickly learned how to position her horse to keep the cattle moving forward. A few times she’d break away to steer cattle closer to the main group. Asher couldn’t be more proud of her. She hadn’t complained once, not about the heat, or being thirsty, or her ass and thighs that had to be sore by now.It took longer to get to the lower camp. There were always a few ornery cattle that didn’t want to move. It took patience, a lot of patience to get them moving, but the majority were easy to handle. “Do you think you could ride ahead and open the gate?” Asher asked her.“Yeah, I can do that.” She wiped the back of her hand over her brow, and Asher grinned. Her shirt was sticking to her back, and loose tendrils of hair were plastered to her face.“You’re going to have to move your ass! Ride hard, open the gate, and get bac

AsherCassidy warmed up his food for him while he sat at the table. A glass of sweet tea stood in front of him, and he could feel the weight of depression on his shoulders. His whole body felt heavy.“Eat,” Cassidy said, as she placed the plate in front of him.He ate in silence, Cassidy watching his every move. Neither of them said a word. His appetite was non-existent, but he knew he had to eat. Today had been grueling, and his body needed the nutrients.“Mark brought Emerson to the ranch. She was a material witness in a murder trial. She was going to testify against her boyfriend but he escaped, and the location of their safehouse had been leaked.”“So he brought her to you,” Cassidy said.Asher nodded his head. “She was funny and sarcastic, but she was a fighter. Her relationship with the guy was abusive, but I could see how hard she was trying.”“And then you fell in love?” she asked.“It happened gradually. I knew I was falling and that I shouldn’t. I knew she wasn’t going to st