All Chapters of The Lansing House: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

MaggieShe had barely slept, but knowing that Finn was just down the hall did make her feel better. When they’d returned home, Dakota had searched the house for Asher, resting his head on Asher’s side of the bed.“He’ll be back soon,” Maggie whispered, rubbing his ears. As if he understood her, Dakota went back to Melody’s room.She felt conflicted about telling Asher’s family about his PTSD. How didn’t they know? She realized soon enough that perhaps Asher never spoke about his days in the Army. They didn’t know about the little boy who had shot him. They didn’t see the darkness swirling in his eyes, because he hid it well. From everyone.It was barely 7 a.m. when Finn walked into the kitchen. Maggie took the freshly baked muffins from the oven and placed the pan on a rack to cool down.“If I’d known this was the kind of breakfast I’d wake up to at the ranch, I would’ve become a rancher,” Finn said.Maggie smiled. Bacon, sausages, and eggs stood on the counter. “Do you want some of A

MaggieA knock on her office door had her looking up. Her eyes widened, then she cried as she got to her feet and wrapped her arms around Asher. She buried her face against his chest and sobbed.“It was just two days,” Asher said, as his hand rubbed up and down her back, the other hand cradling her head.Her hands fisted his T-shirt, and after a while, she lifted her head. “I’m just glad you’re out.”“Does this mean you missed me?”Maggie swatted his arm and laughed. “Yes, you big idiot, I missed you. Melody missed you, too, and Dakota kept whining as he looked at the front door.”“I really need to take a shower, and wash the prison grime off. You could always join me,” Asher said, with a sly smile.“I wish I could, but I’m on a deadline with the payroll.”“Fine, I’ll just go wash myself, head over to Pop’s, and take Melody off his hands,” Asher said.“I’ll finish early, and then I’m all yours,” Maggie said.Asher kissed her forehead, and then he was gone. Maggie sighed, as she sat do

Asher“Does Charlie know where he went?” Blair asked, as they entered the tree line.“She was pretty sure he wouldn’t have taken them to the location of his own vision quest,” Asher said.“Sacred ground,” Colt said, nodding his head. “Charlie’s house is two miles west of the feed store. If Bear Claw went from his house to the woods, he would have entered the tree line where the old mill used to be. That’s about ten miles from here. We need to head in that direction, try and see if we can find some sign of their movements,” Asher said.“Yes, Sir,” Colt said, chuckling.“We eat and drink as we go. It’ll get darker sooner in the woods. Don’t rely on the actual time. If we need to make camp without finding them, then this turns from missing teens to recovering bodies,” Asher said.“Your optimism is downright spurring us on,” Blair said.Asher didn’t reply. He simply clicked his tongue and steered Comet deeper into the woods. They were quiet for about ten minutes when Asher slowed his hor

AsherHe was awake and brewing coffee an hour before sunrise. He’d already fed the horses and given each an apple. He kicked Colt’s leg, grinning, as he groaned and swatted his arm in the air in front of him.“It’s time to get up,” Asher said, kicking Blair’s leg, as well.Blair sat up, rubbing his hands over his face, while Colt shifted to his other side, pulling his blanket over his head. Asher looked at Blair, and they both grinned.Blair got to his feet while Asher opened the door. Blair grabbed Colt’s feet, and Asher hooked his hands underneath Colt’s armpits. Together they carried a now-struggling Colt out of the cabin, and dropped him in the snow.Colt was on his feet instantly. “Assholes.”Blair and Asher laughed as they walked back inside the cabin. They drank coffee, and ate cold biscuits and dried meat. They were ready to leave 20 minutes later.“Where do you want to start looking for Bear Claw?” Blair asked. They’d saddled the horses, and repacked their backpacks. “Do you

AsherAfter Bear Claw had been cleared by Dr. Carmichael, Charlie had taken him home. Asher had gone to the hospital to see him, and to get the names of the two boys who had left him in the woods.Asher had cleaned out Comet’s stall, fed him some apples, plus one peppermint, before he left the horse for the day, and headed to his shed. Asher had already sanded down the wooden beams of the gazebo, and he was getting ready to treat the wood, when Finn walked into the shed.“Hey, can we talk?”Asher wiped his hands on the back of his jeans, and folded his arms across his chest. “Sure.”“Do you know who killed Malcolm Walters?”“Yeah, Finn, I know who did it,” Asher said.“Was it Blair? I know he’s got some sort of feelings for Maggie.”“It wasn’t Blair. It wasn’t a Fitzgerald, because I know your next question is going to be if it was Pops.”Finn smiled, but turned serious again. “Getting anything out of you is like pulling teeth.”“Are you arresting those two boys that left Bear Claw in