AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I debate letting her suffer for a while, but she appears to not be breathing. Rowan will kill me if Ashlyn passes out from holding her breath.
“It’s fine. I know Juniper loves me.” She raises an eyebrow. “She tells me so herself often enough.”
“Yeah!” she shouts and bursts into song. “Love is all around us. The feeling is getting bigger and bigger. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.”
“I don’t think those are the lyrics to the song.”
“Who cares? My sister’s in love, and it’s not with an animal.”
“I’m fairly certain your sister is still in love with a whole bunch of animals.”
She shivers. “You better not be talking about Slinky. Snakes freak me out.”
“Agreed. But there’s no need to worry about Slinky. He’s gone.”
“He’s what? When? Why that little snake-loving, animal-loving, lying sister of mine! I ought to break into her house and stuff poison ivy in her shorts. That’ll teach her.”
I motion to the studio. “Maybe we should leave the sister abuse until later. I believe you’re supposed to be giving me a tour of the recording studio.”
She grunts. “I guess.”
Phew. I don’t fancy spending the night in the emergency room because Juniper has a rash in all kinds of uncomfortable places.
“This is the reception area.”
The area appears to be a comfortable place to hang out with its black, leather sofas.
“This is the kitchen. Rowan didn’t originally build a kitchen.” She rolls her eyes. “What was he thinking? Recording artists need their drinks. Personally, I prefer tea when I’m recording.”
“Juniper told me you’re an audiobook narrator.”
“I specialize in erotic novels.” She waggles her eyebrows. “Let me know if you need me to narrate anything for you. A special message. Something to get you in the mood. I can help.”
The last thing I need in this world is the little sister of the woman I love to narrate a sexy message for me. It’s the very definition of a turnoff.
“And these are the recording booths. Don’t ask me what all the fancy schmancy equipment does. I’m not a producer. But I can tell you it’s the best of the best in the business. I have client reviews you can read if you want.”
“The recording booths are soundproof?”
“The building is too.”
I’m impressed. The studio is top-notch. I know the place has a reputation in the music industry, but I didn’t expect a brand new recording studio with top-notch equipment in Winter Falls.
“Now, how can I help you?” Ashlyn plops down on a sofa and motions for me to do the same.
I drum my fingers on the arm of the sofa as I consider how to proceed.
“Are you having second thoughts?”
I decide to be honest. “You’re the one who told me you can’t keep a secret.”
“Ah, I understand your confusion. I will not keep secrets in my capacity as mayor. As a business owner, however, I’m bound by confidentiality. Rowan made me follow a class on business ethics and everything.”
“He did?”
“Yeah. He was worried I’d snap pictures and post them on social media if my clients were famous singers or rock bands.”
“And have you had any famous clients?”
