Dylan

“YOUR FACE IS red,” Asher said, grabbing ahold of my belt loops and pulling me back to him.

My cheeks only grew warmer. “Yeah. Your sister is out of control.”

He laughed. “Don’t I know it. But I owe her big for taking off with Jake.”

“We both do. I wonder if she’ll kill him before they make it to Klamath?”

Asher shook his head. “She needs him for the pawnshop, so he’s good up until then. Besides, he’s a bit of a wreck, so I’m hoping they kiss and make up.”

“And spare us the details,” I added.

“There’s always hope.”

“So, handsome, let’s talk about you for a minute. What brings a big-city hottie like you to a little one-horse town like this?”

The hunger in his eyes both scared and excited me, releasing butterflies to race around my stomach. “I’m lookin’ at her,” he said.

“How did you know I needed you?” I asked.

“You need me?”

I nodded. Stupid tears stung my eyes again as I thought about the task ahead of me. “Serious understatement.”

He pulled me tight against him and kissed me again, making me suspect that his presence had something to do with him needing me too. I no longer had to worry about the butterflies, because that thought pretty much melted them.

Asher pulled back and studied my expression. “What’s going on?”

“I don’t want to ruin our alone time by talking about it.” Truthfully, I planned to avoid telling my boyfriend that my dad was a thieving bastard altogether.

“Okay,” he replied, letting me off the hook. “What is there to do around this town? I feel all dressed up with nowhere to go.”

Thankful for the subject change, I checked out his threads and nodded approvingly. “This outfit is great, by the way. Where’d you get your hands on it?”

“We stopped off in Bend. You dress up for me all the time, you know? I figured the least I could do is try to blend in while in your home town.”

“I love you so much. Seriously, Ash, this was really sweet. You earned major points.”

He wiggled his eyebrows. “I could have gone bigger. I wanted one of those button-down western shirts with the paisley print, but Jake said something about running me over with my own car if I bought it.”

Just imagining it sent me into a fit of giggles that felt so good. I couldn’t believe how much better I felt with Asher here. Suddenly the task in front of me didn’t seem so ominous. With my sweet, sexy boy beside me, I could do anything. I plucked his cowboy hat from his head and settled it atop my own. “How do I look?”

In answer, he attacked my neck. Laughing, I squirmed out of his arms and grabbed my jacket.

“We going somewhere?” he asked.

I looked him over and grinned. “Oh, hell yeah. I’m showing you off. You’re taking me to the fair and feeding me cotton candy and elephant ears. Then we’re going to make out while flipping in the Zipper.”

“Kinky.”

My cheeks hurt from smiling so much. “You’re in my world now, city boy.”

AC/DC’s song “Shook Me All Night Long” was playing when we got in line at the ticket booth, and I couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at my lips. It was amazing how some things never changed. Memories of roundups past flooded my senses, reminding me how much I’d loved the fair as a child.

I saw a lot of faces I recognized, and a few people stopped to say hey and meet Asher. I kept introductions and conversations to a minimum, wishing I could build some sort of shield around us that deflected their advances. Even though I’d said I wanted to show Asher off, I really wanted to keep him to myself.

We walked away from the entrance booth hand-in-hand sporting flimsy paper bracelets, and I tugged him toward the rigged games. “Hey, want me to win you a stuffed animal?” I asked.

“Shouldn’t that be my line?” he asked.

I shrugged. “You can try. But see that shooting game right there? And that hit the balloons with the darts one? I don’t mean to brag or anything, but I will own you.”

“Is that supposed to deter me?” he asked, pulling me toward the shooting game. “Because that seems like a pretty sweet deal.”

The way he looked at me set my cheeks on fire again.

A woman shouted my name and I turned to see one of my many distant cousins approaching. “Hey, Dylan, I heard you were back.” She eyed Asher, looking a little too thirsty for my liking. “And who did you bring with you?”

“Asher, this is my cousin, Allison. Allie, this is my boyfriend, Asher.”

Her eyebrows rose. “Boyfriend? Does Dak know about him? The way he was talkin’—”

“We haven’t run into Dak yet,” I said, cutting her off. “But I’ll be sure to introduce him.”

Her gaze drank Asher in for a few more moments. “Good luck with that,” she said before sauntering off.

“Who’s Dak?” Asher asked.

“A guy I grew up with.” I shrugged, not wanting to discuss Dakota or any of my other problems. But I didn’t want to hide anything from Asher, so I stopped and turned to face him. “We never dated, but our parents got it stuck in their minds that we’d grow up and get married someday.”

“And...?” he asked.

It was possible Asher knew me a little too well. Paired with his mad lawyer skills and my inability to tell a lie, I was screwed. “I’ve told him it’s not going to happen, but he hasn’t let it go yet.”

“What’s this guy like?”

“Nice. He’s a good guy, Ash, but there was never anything between us. I think he likes the idea of us way better than he ever liked me. He doesn’t even know me. I haven’t seen him in years.”

“He sounds like a stalker.”

“He’s harmless. Really.” Then, because my perfect night was falling to shit, I looked past Asher to see my dad heading toward us. “Dammit,” I growled.

“What?” Asher looked over his shoulder. “What’s wrong?”

“My dad’s coming.”

“Good. I want to talk to him.”

Before I could stop him, Asher turned to wave to my father and I found myself wishing we’d never left the motel. “I don’t, Ash.”

“What? Why not?” he asked.

“Because I can’t be fake, and I’ll give us away.”

“Us?” Hurt flashed in Asher’s eyes. “Your dad doesn’t know about us? Why do you care—?”

Before I could correct Asher, Dad had his arm draped over my shoulder. Even with the crowd shifting around us, I could smell the whiskey on him. “Hey, honey,” he said.

I shrugged away from him. “Hey. Dad, you remember Addie’s brother Asher?”

Dad looked Asher over and nodded. “Come with me a minute. I think we need to have a man-to-man conversation.” He waved for Asher to follow him and started walking toward the fence, away from the crowd.

I didn’t know what Dad had planned, but couldn’t imagine he’d be too welcoming. And before Asher went anywhere near my father, I needed to set the record straight and warn him. I stepped in front of him, blocking his path. “I don’t care what he or anyone else thinks. I love you. I tried to tell him about you several times, but he refused to listen. I sure as hell wouldn’t bring you here if I didn’t want anyone to know about you. Everyone in town knew as soon as we got out of your car together. It’ll probably be on the cover of tomorrow’s paper. That’s not what I was talking about.”

“You comin’, boy?” Dad asked.

Before I could say more, Asher stepped around me and joined my father. I didn’t know what to do. I watched as they walked to the fence and out of earshot.

“Still biting your fingernails, huh?” Dakota said, tugging my hand away from my mouth and inspecting the damage. “That’s a bad habit, Dylan.”

“I only do it when I’m in this town,” I retorted, snapping my hand away from him. “Besides, it’s not nearly as bad as chewing...or meth, Lakeview’s other drug of choice.”

He chuckled and followed my gaze. “That’s the guy?”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

He scratched his head. “I thought you didn’t like cowboys.”

“He’s so not a cowboy. He’s a lawyer. He dressed like that for me. He’s...” I couldn’t find the words to describe what Asher was to me.

“I get it.”

Surprised, I eyed Dakota. “You do?”

“Yeah. I’ve known you my whole life, and I ain’t never seen you look at anyone like that. But you should probably go save him from your old man.”

I looked up in time to see Dad take a swing at Asher. Asher easily dodged and stepped back and Dad wobbled, almost falling. I ran to get between them with Dakota hot on my heels. I stood facing my father with Asher at my back, as Dakota tried to get Dad under control.

“What is going on?” I asked, fuming.

“This boy you brought home disrespected me, Dylan,” Dad replied.

“I don’t care what he did. You don’t get to swing on my boyfriend, Dad. Ever.”

“Why the hell not? He comes to me talking about how he wants my blessing to marry you, and he can’t even stand up for himself. You gotta jump in and protect him.”

“First of all, Asher can defend himself just fine, but he’s not some Neanderthal, like you, so he doesn’t think with his fists and—” The rest of what Dad said sank in. Asher had come to ask him for his blessing. To marry me. Suddenly the clothes made sense. He’d dressed the part to approach my dad. I looked over my shoulder and asked, “Wait...what?”

“You heard me,” Dad said. “A boy like that doesn’t deserve you. You tell him, Dak.”

“I don’t know. He seems like a decent fellow.” Then Dakota turned his attention onto Asher and said, “You got my blessing, but you damn well better take care of her. I don’t care if you are some hotshot lawyer, you hurt her and there won’t be a city big enough to hide you.”

“Noted. I won’t hurt her,” Asher said. “You must be Dakota. Nice to meet you.”

“Pleasure.” They shook hands.

I was too in shock to move or say anything.

“Well, he doesn’t have mine!” Dad shouted. “You and your uppity family stole my girl from me and I’ll be damned if I give you my blessing for it.”

That loosened my tongue. “You can’t pin my moving on Asher or Addie. I didn’t even know them when I left. I just wanted out of here and away from you.”

Dad staggered backwards like I’d slapped him, but I was too pissed to care.

“Don’t you dare pretend like you’re some kind of victim in all of this. You say you love me, but we both know whiskey is the only thing you’ve loved since Mom died, and I could never compete with that bottle. It’s eaten away whatever heart you had left. And clearly your brain, too. I can’t believe you called me about the jewelry. What the hell were you thinking?”

He stiffened. “I wanted a recommendation.”

“You know, Dad, Addie and I are really good at what we do. Did you think we wouldn’t find out who did it? Or that I’d turn my head and let it happen?” I had to look away because my eyes were burning, but the feel of Asher’s hand on my back strengthened my resolve. “When I saw those videos... You put me in this position, and I will never forgive you for it.”

His expression changed, telling me he knew exactly what I was talking about. The worst part about it was he looked surprised that Addison and I had figured it out. He hadn’t expected us to solve the crime, and that hurt.

He looked almost sober as he raised his chin and said, “You don’t know everything, Dylan, and it’s not safe for you to keep digging. You and your friends should get out of this town before you stumble over what’s really going on.”

Not only did he think we were incapable, he refused to believe that we’d learned of his guilt through honest detective work. I glared him down. “We’re not leaving until this case is solved.”

He frowned, shaking his head. “I never should have brought you into this mess. I’m sorry.”

I had nothing more to say to him, so I grabbed Asher’s hand and tugged him away.

“So...your dad is the one stealing the jewelry?” Asher asked.

Nothing got past him. “Yes. Can we leave?”

“The fair or the town?”

Tempting. I shook myself. “The fair. I have to stick around and see this through.”

“You really don’t,” Asher replied as we walked toward the car. “Nobody’s paid you guys to investigate, and you’re not cops, so you have no moral responsibility...” He opened my car door and I climbed in and waited for him before arguing.

“Yes, I do, Ash. My father is stealing money from little old ladies. If Addie and I do nothing, he’ll get away with it. Nobody in this town will ever solve this case.”

“What about the cops?” he asked. “Can’t you just take whatever evidence you have to them?”

“You’re so cute with your justice and all that. Will you please drive back toward the motel? We’re going to take a detour, though.”

Asher pulled out of the fairground parking lot. “Dylan, I’m serious. That thing your dad said back there sounded a lot like a threat or a warning. Maybe you’re too close to this case. Perhaps it’s time to back off.”

“I would if I could,” I groaned. “Dad’s related to the DA and at least half the police force. I’ve known those guys my whole life, and I can guarantee you they will not make him pay for this. At the most, he’ll get a slap on the wrist. Hang a right here.”

“Where are we going?” he asked.

“The nursing home. You’re going to have the distinct displeasure of meeting my grandmother. Let me apologize now for anything she says. I was hoping to shield you from her forever, but the truth is...I need you beside me right now.”

He reached over and grabbed my hand. “Of course.”

I stared at our intertwined fingers, thinking about the conversation Asher had tried to have with my plastered father. Marriage. Asher wanted to marry me. At least, he did before my dad tried to beat him up. And now he was going to meet my grandmother. I wondered if he’d still be hearing wedding bells by the time we finally made it out of this town.

We arrived at the nursing home a little past six. Brandy was working. Her eyes widened and her mouth opened when she saw Asher, but I didn’t have time for her barrage of questions. “Brandy, Asher, Asher, Brandy. Asher’s my boyfriend. Yes, Dakota knows and gave us his blessing. So does Dad, and he didn’t. In a hurry, gotta see Grandma.”

She stood there, flabbergasted, as we rushed by. It was exactly the reaction I was looking for.

Grandma’s door was open, so I went right in. The nurse from Ms. Long’s room—Helen—stood by the bed with a little cup of pills and a glass of water. Grandma took her pills and washed them down, and then the nurse left. As soon as the door closed behind the nurse, Grandma spat her pills into a napkin and headed toward the bathroom with them.

“Grandma! What are you doing?”

She shushed me and kept going. I looked to Asher, who was chuckling, and shook my head. A toilet flushed, and Grandma reemerged.

“Gotta get rid of the evidence before those Nazis come in and force it down my throat.”

“Why aren’t you taking your medicine?” I asked.

“That nurse doesn’t give out medicine.”

It sure looked like medicine to me. “Okay, what does she give out?”

“Poison. Makes you think you’re losing your mind until you do. The folks in here are dropping like flies.” Her expression softened. “Today they got Martha.”

“Ms. Long?” I asked.

“Yep.” Grandma shook her head. “It’s a shame, too. I told her not to take those damn pills.”

Now probably wasn’t the best time to point out that Ms. Long was old and that the nursing home was a like a corral for people who were on their way to the big rodeo in the sky, so I decided to change the subject and introduced Grandma to Asher.

She looked him up and down and nodded. “You shacked up with my granddaughter?” she asked.

“Grandma! No. You know I live with Addison.”

“I sure do, and everyone’s talkin’ about it. I’d rather you live in sin with a man.”

“I told you she thinks Addie and I are lesbians.”

Asher’s eyes laughed, but his mouth did not. Chalking it up to lawyer skills, I turned back to Grandma.

“Well it’s good to meet you,” she said.

“Thank you, ma’am. You too.”

“You know, most of the girls Dylan went to school with are havin’ babies now.”

Heat flooded my cheeks and I shook my head. “I chose to go to college. And now I’m working and paying back my school loans. But I’m not here to talk about that. I need to talk to you about Dad.”

“I was older than I should have been by the time I had Chad. All my other kids were pert near grown and I didn’t know the plumbing was still working, if you get my drift.”

God, I did not want to get her drift, but I did. Cringing, I looked to Asher, who appeared to be enjoying himself, and fought to keep myself from kicking him. This wasn’t what I’d envisioned for our conversation about my father.

“It was like having an only child, and I was too tired to keep up with him. I let him get away with far too much.” She looked out the window. “I should have beat his ass good a hundred times, but I didn’t. Then your momma came along and made him behave. She was good for him until she up and died and left him worse off than he was before. A lot of this mess is my fault, Dylan, which is why I never told who was takin’ the jewelry. You know how things are around here, anyway. Nobody would have done anything about it. No sense alienating the last person who comes to see me.”

Oh, the guilt. “Grandma—”

She held up a hand. “I’m not blamin’ you. Gettin’ out of this town was the smartest thing you ever did. I know I never told you, but I’m proud of you. You made somethin’ of your life. None of us made it easy on you, but you did it on your own.” She smiled. “You get that determination from me.”

For the second time that night, I was speechless. I stared at my grandmother, wondering how to respond to her unexpectedly kind words.

“Oh, don’t look at me like that, and don’t pay me no mind, neither. I’m just an old woman tryin’ to get into heaven.”

“Thank you, Grandma,” I said, giving her a hug.

“You two go on and get out of here before you get the old folks’ stink on you.”

“Yes ma’am,” we said, turning to leave.

“Oh, and one more thing. Asher, you better not wait until she’s in her forties to put a baby in her belly.”

Just when I thought I couldn’t be any more mortified, Grandma managed to one-up herself.

Asher handled it like a champ, tilting the hat he’d just put back on like he was in some sort of western. “Yes ma’am. I’ll get right on that.”