All Chapters of The Lansing House: Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

AsherMary Stuart was not happy when Asher confessed that he’d gone looking for Maggie. For the next two months, he saw her once a week, working through the trauma of being held captive, mourning the life he’d lost, and accepting that he had been saved. The future was his for the taking, and he had to make a choice. He had to live his life, move on from the past, and open himself up to the chance that there was someone out there for him.Asher finally felt he could breathe again after another two months, and Mary said he’d made enormous progress with his therapy. He still had flashbacks to that dark cell, but his nightmares were better, and he didn’t flinch at every little sound anymore.It was near dinnertime when Asher drove into Two Bear Meadow, parking his truck in front of the diner. He took a seat at the counter, and ordered a burger and soda.“Hey, Asher.”“Mandy,” he said, watching as she clasped her hands together.“We’re having a little get-together at Lou’s in a few minutes

Asher“If you have a phone with you, give it to Mark so he can get rid of it.”“I don’t have a phone. I don’t have anything electronic that can be traced,” she said.“Good. The sooner you leave, the harder it will be to trace you,” Asher said to Mark.“Mark,” Emerson said, and looked worriedly at him.“You’ll be fine, Emerson. I trust Asher with my life, my kid’s life. If there’s one person on this earth that can and will keep you safe, it’s Asher. He was one of the best snipers the Army ever produced. You’re in safe hands, I promise.”“Okay, if you trust him, then I trust him,” Emerson said.“Do what he says and you’ll survive this,” Mark said.“I will.”Mark emptied his cup, rinsed it, and placed it on the rack to dry. “Thanks for doing this, Asher. Keep an eye on the news. You’ll know when we have him.”“Give my love to Polly,” Asher said, as the two men hugged, and slapped each other on the back.Mark walked out without another word, and Asher followed behind him. Mark handed him

AsherIt was noon when Eden stomped on to his porch. “Go upstairs,” Asher said, and Emerson took the stairs two at a time. Asher almost chuckled when he looked up but immediately looked away. That dress was too short.“Asher! Get the door! My hands are full!”Asher opened the front door, and took the bags from her. “Why didn’t you just call me? You know I would’ve unloaded the truck for you.”“Maybe I wanted to surprise you,” she said, and stepped inside. She looked around casually, and Asher smiled.“She’s not here,” he said.“Spill the beans, brother. I’m hungry, I’m tired, and I’ll cut you like yesterday’s roast pork, if you don’t tell me what I want to know,” she threatened.“You’ll meet her tonight at dinner. I’m not saying a word before then,” he said. “But thank you for doing this. I owe you one.”“You owe me more than one! Do you have any idea how busy that mall is! But you’re welcome, and you did buy me a beautiful new handbag,” she said, and smiled.“I’m sure I did.”“Fine,

Asher“Do you want to talk about it?” Emerson asked him, as they unpacked the groceries in the kitchen.“There’s not much to say. I was in the Army for ten years, came back about five months ago and when I saw her, I just knew; I didn’t love her, and I hadn’t for a long time. There was no point in trying to rekindle a relationship that had been dead for years.”“That’s not morbid at all,” she said. “How long were you guys together?”“We were on and off again for ten years. It wasn’t even a consistent relationship. She’d want me to wine and dine her when I was home on leave, but she never wrote or emailed me, she never visited my family, and she rarely came to the ranch, even when I was here.”“Hmm, I get what you’re saying. It was more of a convenience than anything else,” she said.“Yeah. I was tired of it all, so I ended it.”“Morbid. That’s the sheep’s name! Morbid the sheep.”Asher chuckled. “Dinner’s around seven at the main house. There’s some stuff I need to take care of before

EmersonHe traced the blade of the knife down her cheek. The room was dark, but the desk lamp was on, casting eerie shadows, even though she knew this room well.The blade traveled lower, down her chest, and one by one, he cut off the buttons off her blouse. Goosebumps broke out over her skin, as the blade traced over her breast. Her hands clenched into fists by her side, but she didn’t move.His tongue flicked her earlobe, and she shuddered. He chuckled, and the door behind him opened. Her eyes snapped toward the two men dragging in another man.“This is what happens to people who betray me, Emerson,” he whispered. “Now cover yourself up.”She pulled her ruined shirt closed, and wrapped her arms around herself. The man was now on his knees, blood pouring from his nose. Grover walked toward him. He straightened his tie and looked at the man.“You talked to the police.” It wasn’t a question, but the man shook his head in denial. Emerson bit her tongue, wanting to say something, but she