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Today was the worst day of Asher’s life. He’d felt more emotion from Remy ordering pizza than when she’d agreed to be his wife. More than once he nearly called the marriage off, desperate to explain all the shit filling his head since he woke up this morning. But every time the words nearly left his mouth, he stepped back, seeing that he was the reason she was in this mess in the first place. Everything he touched, he tarnished. Over and over again, he hurt her.
Knowing the best thing he could do was continue to do right by her to get her free and clear from the situation that he put her in, he had left Remy with her lawyer at the bank right after they signed the marriage certificate. And while they squared the finances, Asher went to the station for some peace and quiet. She’d pay the money back and she’d still have her shop. All of that should have made him feel happy. That’s what all this was about. Giving her back the life that he selfishly stole from her when he took her innocent heart and shattered it.
But then why did he have this sudden emptiness in his chest? This feeling that everything suddenly seemed all wrong when everything should be right. Why did none of this make him feel good? He finally protected her fully and completely, and yet, he suddenly felt like he was drowning.
And that’s where he’d been for the last half an hour, while he’d waited for Remy and her lawyer to join him in his office. He leaned back in his chair and stared at the photograph of when he’d made Remy his. He tried to get a grip on his thoughts, but the web was so tangled now, Asher wasn’t sure how to unravel it all.
“Congratulations.”
Asher shut his eyes, breathed deeply, and then faced the evitable. “You only say congratulations if there’s a reason to celebrate.” He turned to Hank standing in the doorway. Boone’s dad had been as close to a father as Asher had ever known, considering his father was no longer in the picture.
“You’ve been dealt a blow,” Hank said gently, leaning a shoulder against the door, arms folded. “Doesn’t mean what you’ve wanted hasn’t happened. Just means you need to finagle all this a little bit to settle things into where you want to go from this day forward. You’ve still got Remy. That was the hope in all this, wasn’t it?”
Hank never missed much. “I don’t know what the hope was. To make her happy? To protect her?” He thrust his hands into his hair. “I don’t even know anymore.” He felt deep in the thick of it without a clear way out. He’d seen what love did to people. He didn’t want that. And yet…and yet…everything felt wrong. His chest felt worse than it had when he’d first returned home to Stoney Creek and she’d barely look at him.
Hank gave Asher a long look, then offered, “Start small, all right? Get this settled for Remy, then go from there.” Of course he’d look out for Remy. Hank had loved her as a second daughter for nearly her entire life.
“Probably the only place to go,” Asher muttered.
Hank agreed with a nod. “I’d like a call immediately after Remy hands over the money and this matter is concluded.”
“Yes, sir.” Boone had informed his father of Remy’s situation. The DA didn’t care much about the money at Remy’s house, but was greatly interested in Lars. Now they were all in cleanup mode, ensuring this thing with King went away nice and neatly without any laws being broken.
Hank suddenly straightened and then said to Asher seriously, “And that’s my cue to leave. Good luck this afternoon.” He was gone from the doorway in less time than it took Asher to blink.
And in his place was a handful of women pushing themselves into Asher’s officer. There went Asher’s peace and quiet.
“Oh, Asher,” MaryJane said, hurrying to place flowers on his desk. “We heard the news and just needed to come by right away.”
He arched an eyebrow, wondering exactly what the gossip train had gotten a hold of, considering there were a couple of things they’d clamor over. “The news?” he repeated.
“Your marriage to Remy,”
Annie, the retired teacher, said, holding on to the strap of her purse, beaming from ear to ear.
“That news traveled fast,” Asher said, leaning back in his chair and folding his arms.
“Well,” MaryJane drawled, “Louise’s sister works at the town office.”
Louise stood next to Annie, giving him a blinding smile. “She does.”
MaryJane nodded too. “Her sister issued the license, and hinted you were there, and then you know, Georgia, she works at the courthouse and saw Remy and Boone and Rhett and—”
Asher raised a hand, having had quite enough. “You are master investigators.”
Cute laughter filled his office.
He rose and moved to his door. “Thank you, ladies, for dropping by with the flowers and for thinking of us. It’s very sweet of you all.”
“We’re just so happy for you, Asher,” Georgia said. “Your mom would have been so happy.”
He felt like he’d been throat-punched. Georgia had known Mom—all the ladies had. She would have been right in the middle of this group had she still be there. Maybe not as nosy, but certainly there for friendship. “Thank you, Georgia. You’re right, she would have been very happy.” She also would have never let this get all fucked up and backward. She’d most certainly have a way out.
“Of course, we’re all a little confused why you’re back at work and not with Remy,” MaryJane said, eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
Asher laughed and began gently ushering them out the door. “Sadly, ladies, when the job calls, the job calls. I’ll be sure to bring your flowers to Remy and say you all stopped by to congratulate us.”
After waves and smiles, Asher sat back behind his desk, welcoming the silence again. The mothers of Stoney Creek were mothers to everyone. Most times Asher didn’t mind. Today he wanted to be alone.
