Landlady: A New Adult Romance (Northbridge Nights Book 1) (26 page)

“What if I co-sign a loan with your parents? Or loan them my own
money and charge them interest or something? I could be an investor.
We could help out together on the farm on weekends.”

Sierra shrugged. “They're proud people, Ash. They don't want a
handout.”

“It's not a handout. And they're practically family. Please, let me
try at least.”

“Why don't you drive me to the farm and ask them yourself then,”
Sierra said after some time.

“Okay. Come on.”

We made the drive to Maywood Farm mostly in silence. When we were
about ten miles away, I asked, “Do you think your parents will be
mad and think I'm selfish for wanting to keep you in the city?”

Sierra shrugged. “Probably. Dad said Mom would be 'so thrilled, so
thrilled' to have me back.”

“They let me take you back home a few days ago. I'm sure they won't
want to keep us apart.”

“We'll see,” Sierra said. Her expression seemed forlorn, and I
wondered if something else was still troubling her.

I pulled up in front of Maywood Farm and cut the engine.

“Asher! Sisi!” Lillian called out. She ran down the steps and
rushed to greet us. She must've seen us through the window. “I
wasn't expecting you two! What a pleasant surprise.”

“Mom, Asher and I came here to talk,” Sierra said, her lips set
in a firm line. “About the farm. And its future.”

Minutes later, we were seated at the dining table. Lillian wrung her
wrists, her crow's feet deepening with each passing second. “So
that's what you two talked about this afternoon? I thought you were
just taking him out to lunch,” Lillian said, rubbing her knuckles
with her thumb.

“Mom, Asher and I want to help. Asher?” Sierra looked at me.

I sat up straighter. “I'd like to give you two a loan. With
interest, of course. Just like one you'd get from the bank. You can
pay me back every month.”

Lillian's fingers brushed against her neck. “We couldn't possibly,
Asher.”

“I want to,” I insisted. “I won't take no for an answer.”

Sierra kicked me under the table. I softened my tone. “What I meant
was, I care about you and Ernest. About this farm and this family. I
want to see it thrive.”

“I don't know, Asher. I'll have to talk to Ernest about this.”

“Where is Dad?” Sierra asked.

“He's out back, talking to Jordan actually,” Lillian said.

“Jordan? What's he doing here?” Sierra asked.

“Your dad called him over to have a chat.”

“Without you?”

Lillian shrugged. “They've needed this father-son talk for a while
now. Don't interrupt them.”

I could see Sierra tense up. I wrapped my hand around her shoulder
and pulled her close. “We'll wait then,” I said.

Ernest and Jordan showed up about ten minutes later.

“Asher,” Ernest said. “I wasn't expecting you.” He turned to
Sierra and arched his brow.

“Asher and Sierra came here with a proposal,” Lillian said,
nodding at me.

I stood up. “I'd like to give you two a loan. With interest. Until
you're back on your feet. And Sierra and I could come help out on the
farm every weekend.”

Ernest frowned. “That's not what Sierra told me this afternoon.”
He turned to Sierra, who sat on the couch, stiff as a board. “Sierra
said she would sell the house and split the profits with us. That
she'd move back to the farm. Isn't that right, Sisi?”

I helped Sierra back to her feet. We walked towards Ernest.

Sierra began, “I talked about it to Asher, and he wants to keep me
in the city. We're in love Dad, you understand right? We'll loan you
the money you need and—”

“—You think this boy is more important than your family,”
Ernest stated. It wasn't a question.

“Dad, please.”

“You want to keep your Grandma's house all to yourself so you can
live the good life with your boyfriend in the city while we struggle
in the dirt.”

“That's not how it is,” I interjected. “We want to help. We'll
do what we can.”

“I don't need handouts from the likes of you,” Ernest shot out.
He looked like he wanted to throttle me.

“Dad! That's no way to talk to Asher,” Sierra cried. “Apologize.
Now.”

“Hell no,” Ernest spat. “If you want to stay with him, I can't
stop you. But I must say, I'm disappointed in you, Sierra.”

“What the hell are you talking about, Ernest?” Lillian
interrupted. “You like Asher. You told me yourself.”

“Yeah, that was before his pompous prick of a father came here
waving his check book in my face.”

“What do you mean, Dad?” Sierra asked.

“Didn't your boyfriend tell you? His dad came here trying to buy us
out. Said if I could get you to leave his son alone, he'd give us
$250,000.”

My heart sank. How could he? How could my father sink so low?

“And what did you say, Dad?” Sierra asked.

“I told him to fuck off, that's what I said.”

“But—you just—”

“I don't want no bribe,” Ernest said. “But that doesn't mean
the conversation didn't get me thinking. Are you sure this is what
you want, Sierra? To be pulled into the upper crust and to put up
with all the drama that goes along with it? Wouldn't you be much
happier leading a simple life here, on the farm? Helping your parents
and brother? Eventually, settle down with a local... have some kids—”

Ernest gave Jordan a pat on the back. “Even your brother's doing
his part.”

“Jordan, you're—” Sierra was cut short.

“—That's right, Sisi, I'm stepping up,” Jordan said. “Mom and
Dad need my help. So why aren't you pulling your weight?”

I'd had enough. They were bullying my girlfriend, and I wouldn't
stand for it. “She's trying her goddamn best to please all of you,
and you still think she's not doing enough,” I said. “She's on
crutches for God's sakes. What good would she be on the farm? If you
need money, I can loan you every penny I have. It's about $100,000,
not enough to last forever, but it's a start. It's not the
quarter-million dollars my father offered, nor is it the amount you
would've received from the sale of the house. But it's everything I
have, and I hope it's enough to make you reconsider. I am madly in
love with your daughter, and I can't bear to be apart from her. I
need her to stay with me. I need to see her gorgeous smile before I
go to sleep every night and when I wake up every morning. I'll make
her the happiest woman alive, I promise. But we need to stay
together. In the city. In our house.”

Everyone was stunned. I was stunned myself. I never expected to blurt
all of that out.

After a moment, Lillian spoke up. “Sierra, is that what you want?
To be with Asher?”

Sierra nodded slowly. “I love him, Mom. Much as I want to help out
on the farm, Asher's right. I can barely walk properly, let alone
carry anything. Can you at least try to make things work with Asher's
loan? Then if it's still not enough, we can think about selling the
house?”

Lillian nodded. “I'm impressed, Asher. I didn't think you'd fight
for my daughter so much.”

“I'll always fight for her. With every ounce of strength I have,”
I said, looking her square in the eye.

Ernest still didn't say a word.

“Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to hit the road before it gets
too dark,” I said. I took Sierra by the arm and helped her back
outside, down the stairs and into my car.

Once we were on the road again, Sierra spoke up. “Did you mean all
that stuff you said back there?”

“Of course.”

“My dad hates me now, I know it,” she groaned. “He thinks I'm a
horrible daughter. A useless, ungrateful—”

“You're not,” I reassured her. “So stop beating yourself up.
You're on crutches for God's sake. It'd be cruel to make you work.
Besides, I might die if you leave me.”

“I—” Sierra sighed. “Fine. What should we do now?”

“It's about time I took you out on a proper date,” I said. “Don't
you think so?”

“What did you have in mind?” Sierra asked.

“A surprise.”

CHAPTER 25

SIERRA

IT WAS ALMOST SIX when we pulled into a cozy lodge off the
Interstate.

Cedar River Bed and Breakfast Inn oozed rustic charm. Built
completely out of what I assumed were cedar trunks, the massive
building sported a large wraparound deck and floor-to-ceiling
windows. It also had an unparalleled view of Cedar River and Cyprus
Mountain. Nestled just off Exit 51, the lodge was the perfect weekend
getaway destination. And the perfect place to go on a first date with
Asher.

The scent of pine and mouth-watering barbecue greeted us as we pulled
up the asphalt driveway.

“How did you find out about this place?” I asked, awed by the
architectural beauty before us. “It's gorgeous.”

“Google,” Asher grinned. “The reviews looked good.”

“It also looks pricey,” I noted.

“Not really,” Asher said. “About average. Apparently, the
food's to die for. Especially the pulled pork.”

“Good, because I'm starving,” I said, licking my lips. It'd been
a really long day, and I hadn't gotten around to eating much, as
usual. First Vicky, then Charles, then my parents and Jordan. I was
surprised I’d survived the whole ordeal.

Asher dropped his car key off with the valet and escorted me inside.
At reception, he booked us the Honeymoon Suite, and we were promptly
brought upstairs.

The Honeymoon Suite was one of the largest in the lodge. It had
vaulted ceilings and two levels. The bottom was a living area with
comfortable leather couches, a low-profile fireplace, and a
flatscreen TV. The upper floor had a king-sized mattress and a
polished mahogany wardrobe.

“If you have any questions, I'm just a phone call away,” the
owner said.

“Thank you... Maria.” Asher nodded at the middle-aged lady.

Once Maria was gone, I sank into the sofa. “This place has such a
homey feel to it.”

Asher nodded. He sat down beside me and wrapped an arm around my
shoulder. “I knew you'd like it.”

“How long are we staying here?”

“However long you want,” Asher smiled. “Taking care of you is
my number one priority.” Asher brushed some hair away from my eyes
and leaned in for a kiss.

I shifted under his weight, distracted by the painful itching and
throbbing in my calf.

“I hate this stupid thing,” I said, gesturing to my cast. “It's
so uncomfortable. I think I need some painkillers soon.”

“A few more weeks of patience, my love,” Asher cooed. “In the
meantime, you've acquired a man-slave to do your bidding.”

“Ha, man-slave,” I scoffed. “Rub my feet then, won't you dear?”

“Sure,” Asher said. He pulled my legs up over his lap and took
off my shoes. I was worried my feet would stink, but they were
alright. Asher peeled off my socks and began kneading the balls of my
feet. It was the perfect amount of pressure: it relieved my achy
muscles but didn't tickle. Once he was done with my right foot, he
moved onto the left one.

“That feels amazing,” I sighed, leaning back against the couch.
“So this is what it feels like to have a servant at my constant
beck and call.”

“Glad you like it. Do leave a tip if you enjoy my services,”
Asher said, smiling.

“I'd tip you if I had any cash,” I said.

I looked at Asher, and couldn't how lucky I was. I wished even more
desperately now that I didn't have a stupid cast holding me back. Oh,
the things I'd do if I had the mobility...

“I don't have any of my stuff,” I suddenly pointed out. “You
kind of caught me off-guard.”

“Don't worry, I can grab your things tomorrow morning and bring
them here.”

“Are you seriously considering staying here?”

“It's a beautiful, relaxing retreat. Why not?” Asher shrugged.

“We have responsibilities,” I reminded him. “You just promised
my parents a loan. And you said you'd help on the farm... Not to
mention, at least one of us should have a job, right?”

My wake-up call irked Asher. “Let's worry about that tomorrow, hmm?
For now, I just want to take a lovely lady out to dinner. And maybe
do a few naughty things with her when we come back.”

“Sorry, I'm such a spoilsport,” I apologized. “Come on, let's
go eat then.”

We went back downstairs and made a beeline for
the adjoining restaurant. It was packed and thrumming with
raucous
laughter and animated chatter.

“Table for two please,” Asher said to the hostess.

We were seated ten minutes later at a table outside, on the deck. The
patio was lit up by lanterns and fairy lights, as well as tea light
candles on the tables. Though the sun had already set, it was still a
very warm, muggy evening. Overall an incredibly romantic atmosphere.
After a couple glasses of wine to start, I felt my body loosening up.

Over veal cutlets (for me) and a juicy T-bone steak (for Asher), we
talked about anything and everything. Our favorite TV shows and
movies, how he adopted Bowser, his sister Adele...his years at
Harvard law...We chatted about my classmates at LaSalle College, my
stingy boss, and how I met Callista. Hours passed that way.

Conversation flowed easily between us. I didn't know why I thought it
would be difficult, seeing as we had such amazing chemistry.

“We've got to come back here when my leg's all better,” I said at
the end of dinner. “We could go hiking in the woods, or even
fishing. So many possibilities.”

“I'll go anywhere, as long as it's with you,” Asher said, holding
my hand. “I want to make you the happiest woman alive.”

“You are way too cheesy. I liked you better when you were snobby.”

Asher cut off a slice of chocolate cake with his fork and fed it to
me. I closed my mouth over the dessert, and it dissolved on my
tongue.

“Wow, you were right, Ash, this place does have spectacular food.”

“Great view, great food, great rooms, great company,” Asher said.
“What more can a man ask for?”