Landlady: A New Adult Romance (Northbridge Nights Book 1) (19 page)

Once we reached the barn, Asher set me down, and I braced myself
against him while he opened the door. A musty odor assaulted my
nostrils, and I covered my face with my hand.

Once the door was open, Asher picked me up again and brought me
inside. The floor was littered with hay and droppings, and I was
surprised that Dad didn't clean it a bit better. I would need to
speak with him about that later.

I heard Roxy's soft whinnying nearby followed by a few clip-clops.

“Hi Roxy baby,” I cooed. “It's me, Sisi.”

Roxy recognized me, even in the dim light, and neighed. Her huge eyes
filled with recognition and she studied me, unblinking.

“Set me down by the bench,” I said.

Asher did as I asked.

“Do you know anything about horses?” I asked.

Asher shook his head. “Not really, no. I think I might've ridden a
pony once when I was ten.”

“Do you want to take a spin on Roxy? She's gentle. Well-trained.”

Asher stared up at my massive mare and swallowed. “I'm not sure.
What if she doesn't like me?”

“She'll like you,” I reassured him. “Because I like you.”

“How does it all work?” he asked.

“Well, call my dad down and he'll tack her up.”

“Are you sure this is a good idea, Sierra? I don't want to make a
fool of myself. I'm not even dressed for it,” Asher said.

“Maybe you can borrow some of my brother's old clothes. Or even my
dad's,” I offered.

Asher sighed. “You really want me to make a fool out of myself,
don't you?”

“Yup.”

“Fine. Sit tight. I'll go ask Ernest.”

Asher returned minutes later with Dad by his side. I could tell Dad
was just as amused as I was at the prospect of this hotshot lawyer
riding a horse for the first time in his adult life.

“I'll go find you some clothes, hold on,” Dad said.

“You better do something equally challenging for me once we get
back to the city,” Asher said, “to even things out.”

“Riding is easy,” I said. “I mean, once you get the hang of
it.”

“Just remember, you owe me one.”

Within twenty minutes, Asher was changed into Jordan's old riding
gear. Dad led Roxy outside and pushed a mounting block up against her
left side. When Asher emerged from the barn, I almost didn't
recognize him. Jordan's trousers were a bit tight on him and really
emphasized his pinch-able rear end. He was wearing Jordan's old
t-shirt and a long-sleeve jacket overtop. Mom had brought out two
fold-up chairs so she and I could sit on the sidelines and watch the
show.

“He's going to be sore tomorrow,” Mom remarked.

“I couldn't resist testing him. Watch and learn, Mom. You may never
see Asher Morgan so vulnerable again.”

Dad threw Asher a helmet and he put it on. “You ever been riding
before?” Dad asked.

Asher shook his head.

“Go easy on him, Dad,” I cried. “He doesn't know what he's
doing.”

“He ain't a man till he's mastered riding a horse,” Dad called
back.

Asher wiped his hands on his trousers and stepped onto the mounting
block. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but I assumed Dad was
laying out the groundwork.

When Asher finally mounted Roxy, Mom and I let out a round of
applause. Asher waved back at me, a goofy grin on his face. “This
isn't so bad,” he called out.

Dad was holding on to the reins and stroking Roxy's mane. Roxy was
such a gorgeous creature. I felt a twinge of guilt thinking about how
I'd abandoned her when I moved away. If only I could afford to keep
her...

Dad started to lead Roxy forward. Asher's body wobbled from side to
side. He seemed to be enjoying himself.

“He's a natural, look at him,” Mom said. “I have a really good
feeling about this one, Sisi. He's good to you. Really good. Look how
often he came to see you after your accident.”

“Mom,” I whined. “Let's just focus on the show.”

“I'm just saying, Sierra, you're twenty-five already. It's about
time you thought about settling down. You know Dad and I have been
looking forward to grandkids for years now. And it's not like
Jordan's going to be father material anytime soon.”

“And you think I'd make good mother material? I haven't even
launched into my career yet,” I pointed out.

“But now you don't need to worry about the financial aspect of it
all. Asher has a stable, well-paying job, he's handsome, and he
really likes you. Don't let this catch slip through your fingers.”

Well, all of that's true except for the job part. Why am I even
thinking or talking about this? We haven't even gone on a real date
yet!

“Mom, I don't want to rush into anything.”

“I know, Sisi, I know.”

But my mom's words sat in the back of my brain for a while. My new
boyfriend
is
quite a catch.

After about ten minutes, Dad handed the reins over to Asher. He
hadn't stopped smiling since he’d mounted my horse. “Not bad.”
I said, nodding my approval.

“He's a natural!” Dad called out.

Growing more confident, Asher began to urge Roxy to go faster.

Daredevil.

Roxy sped up to a canter and Asher started bouncing up and down. He
actually looked quite handsome and rugged on top of Roxy, but I
wouldn't tell him that. His ego didn't need further stroking.

We were about to clap again when Asher's lost his grip on the reins.
Within seconds, he'd slipped off the saddle and landed face-first in
a huge mud puddle. His helmet protected his skull, but not his face
from getting dirty. A prolonged groaning sounded from his direction.

I lurched in my seat, about to go help him when I realized I was
incapacitated.

“Don't worry, we'll get him,” Mom reassured me. “He's a big
guy, he's fine.”

My parents rushed over to Asher, and I heard them asking if he was
alright. I was worried, but I also wanted to laugh. Asher came
stumbling back, his entire front caked in grime. “Well, that was
fun,” he grinned.

“Even though you ate dirt?” I asked.

“Are you kidding? That was the best part,” he replied. “Though
I think I might change my mind by tomorrow.”

“Come on, let's get you changed,” Mom said.

Dad picked up the chairs and handed me my crutches. When the four of
us made it back home, it was starting to drizzle. The sky had turned
a sickly yellow color, and inky clouds sneaked over the horizon.

“Are you staying over tonight?” I asked Asher.

“I wasn't planning on it,” he admitted. “Your couch is rather
uncomfortable.”

“It's raining and getting dark,” I said.

“I'll be fine. I'll just get changed and head out before it gets
bad,” Asher said.

“What if I want you to stay?”

“I'll be back in the morning,” he promised. “I need to clean up
the house before my landlady comes back.” Asher winked, then added,
“Tomorrow I'll tell your parents I'm bringing you home.”

“You better come bearing gifts then,” I said. “Mom will have a
fit.”

“Don't worry, I'll turn them around.”

Dad came back in with Asher's suit. Asher took his things and thanked
him.

When Asher had changed back to his formal attire, he gave me a kiss
on the lips before shuffling on his shoes.

Mom popped in and said, “Asher, you haven't eaten dinner yet!”

“Sorry, Lillian, I'm afraid I need to go. Before the roads get
worse.”

“You're more than welcome to stay the night again,” Mom offered.

“Thank you, but I really do have some things I need to take care of
back home. Thank you for a lovely afternoon, though. I had a lot of
fun.”

“You're welcome back, anytime,” Dad said. “I'd love to give you
more riding lessons. You'll need them if you want to impress Sisi
here. She loves horses more than anything.”

I'd never seen my parents act so nicely toward any man I'd ever dated
or brought home. He had their approval. My approval. Everything was
perfect.

“I'll be back first thing tomorrow morning,” Asher said. “And
I'd love to go riding again. It was fun.”

“First thing? My, my, you're head over heels in love aren't you?”
Mom joked.

“Mom!” I glared at her, but she'd already disappeared into the
kitchen again.

I stood up and hobbled over to see Asher out. I gave him another kiss
and said, “Drive safe. I'll see you tomorrow.”

“Night, princess,” Asher said. “Dream of me.”

I pinched his arm. “Oh, get going already.”

CHAPTER 18

ASHER

I’D FALLEN FACE-FIRST INTO mud. Me, Asher Morgan, attorney-at-law,
covered in mud. And I’d loved it. I’d loved watching Sierra's
face struggle to hold back laughter at the sight of my clumsiness.
I’d loved seeing the twinkle in her eye when I told her how much I
enjoyed learning how to ride. The curl of her lips when she told me
to drive safe.

Even though I'd just pulled out of the driveway, I was already
wishing I was back there, holding her in my arms.

I merged onto the Interstate and flicked on the windshield wipers.
Rain was coming down hard now, hammering the roof of my car and
drastically reducing visibility on the road. I drove slower than the
speed limit, squinting to read signs in the already waning light.
Ernest had been right about the roads around here. They weren't very
well lit, and many of the signs were scratched out or illegible.

I navigated by memory because my GPS was a piece of shit and the
storm made it impossible to check coordinates.

I couldn't have been going faster than thirty miles an hour, and I
was starting to wonder when I'd ever reach home. It was stupid of me
to head home for a good night's rest and to try and clean up before
Sierra's return. I was already mentally and physically exhausted. I
should've just stayed over again.

The day's events sifted through my mind.

Getting fired had been one of the worst things that had ever happened
in my life. Yet, somehow I felt as light as a cloud. Seeing Sierra
had instantly banished my misery. I'd gone from despondent to
energized within seconds. Especially since she said she liked me
back. That had been one of the best feelings I'd ever had in my life.
I felt like some cheesy sap from a rom-com, but no joke, my chest had
just about exploded when she’d kissed me today.

This kiss was different than our first one.

The first one had been driven by lust. I'd wanted to get into her
pants.

But this one was motivated by something else. An intense need to
belong to her. And I wanted her to belong to me. Not just in a sexual
way (though I badly wanted that too), but in a more intimate way. I
wanted to fall asleep and wake up next to her every day. See that
gorgeous smile before I went to work and after I came home...Every.
Single. Day.

I hadn't realized just how much Sierra had changed my life until now.

In fact...I was in love with her. Head over heels. Just like Lillian
had said.

I was so distracted by my thoughts and so focused on the raindrops
that I didn't notice the dark blur until it was too late.

CLUNK!

Fuck! What the fuck! Who would be crossing the middle of the road in
this weather? Especially without looking for cars first? I hit the
brakes and parked the car, heart ramming against my ribs.

Luckily, I wasn't moving too fast, and the impact wasn't terribly
hard, but still.

I clicked off my seatbelt and bolted outside to assess the damage.

There was no one there.

I could've sworn I'd hit something. Had it just been a pile of trash?
A fallen log or something?

I crouched down and looked under the car. Rain was quickly soaking
through my clothes, forcing the fabric to stick to me like a second
skin. I couldn't hear anything other than the thundering rain. There
was so much of it I felt like I was swimming on land.

I was about to get back inside my car when I heard the whimpering.
Then I saw the shadowy figure splayed across the side of the road.

A dog. A mangy and scrawny German Shephard. His belly was bleeding
fast; his fur matted with blood and dirt.

Shit!

I lunged for the dog, curling one arm around his neck and the other
around his belly. I pressed my ear against his chest, listening for a
heartbeat. Praying for one.

Luckily, I could feel his feeble chest rise and fall against my
cheek.

I brought the dog into my car and placed him in the backseat. I
didn't really have anything to cover him with, and my suit jacket was
soaked so I cranked up the heat and hit the gas.

I needed to find a vet, fast.

But I barely even knew where I was, let alone where I could find a
vet.

I could turn back to Maywood Farm, but that was at least half an
hour's drive. And they may not know what to do.

After blindly driving for a few more miles, I pulled over and tried
to make a call. Search through my GPS. Anything.

Finally, I got one bar. I seized the chance and called Sierra.

“Did you forget something?” she asked.

“I hit a dog,” I said. “On the road. Where's the nearest vet?”

“How
—
”

“
—
No time, bad connection. Where is
it?” I asked.

“Where are you now?” Sierra asked. “Do you want my dad to come
find you?”

“I'm fine.” I looked at the sign in front of me. “I'm on
Interstate Five near Westport.”

“Okay, the nearest vet should be about ten miles straight ahead.
Make a right at the hospital sign. There's a vet nearby.”

“Thanks, Sierra. I'll call you later.” I ended the call and drove
as fast as I could (considering the weather) down the highway.

The dog let out a small howl, and I felt panic claw at my throat.
“You're not dying on my watch,” I told him.

Twenty minutes later, I was parking in the hospital parking lot. I
scoured the area before finding a small storefront with a huge
picture of a dog and a cat on the front.
24-Hour
WestPort
Vets
, it read.