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He's been unnecessarily gracious to his house breakers and he's been living out here alone, playing Bigfoot for months. "When was the last time you had visitors?"
He meets my eyes and swallows. "I haven't ever had visitors here. I bought and renovated this place so I'd have somewhere to stay when I visit Aunt Myrna. She's the only family I have left, and I hate staying at hotels."
My heart goes out to the guy, who must be incredibly lonely. "I'm sure your aunt would love to know you're in town."
He sighs as Asher walks back into the room. "Then I'd have to tell her why I'm here instead of in the studio working on my next album."
"How about this," I say. "I have to get home tonight to check on my goat, but—"
"I'm going with you," Asher says.
I stare at him. "What?"
"You were about to offer that I stay here to hang with Jaxon." He turns to Jaxon. "I'd love to, but if I let Clover go home alone she'll walk on her bad knee trying to clean up the mess I can guarantee Barley left."
"Barley?" Jaxon asks.
"The goat kid," I say. "The other goats are bullying him. And I had nowhere else to put him but in my room while we went out for our run."
"I'll take him," Jaxon says. "I love animals."
Asher and I both stare at Jaxon. "He's not housebroken."
Jaxon chuckles. "I got that. The previous owners here kept animals out back. I don't know what kind, maybe dogs? There'sa fenced in area and a few shelters. More than enough room for one goat."
"How would you take care of a goat when you're on the road?" I ask. I want Barley to have the best home possible.
"I'm not sure what's next for me, but if I do go back on the road, I'll hire someone to look after him." Jaxon shrugs like it's the easiest thing in the world to find a goat babysitter willing to work in small town Catalpa Creek. For him, it probably is.
"Oookay," I say. "I'd have to see the space you have for him and I'd have to come up with a lie for my sisters about where he went, but that might work."
"Tell them you gave him to a guy you met at the gym or something," Asher says.
I tap my fingers on the table, already sick of sitting still and wanting to move. "You don't know my sisters. Dani and Honey like to see where every animal is going and they have an extensive form that has to be filled out before they let an animal go."
"You could tell them the truth," Jaxon says. "Just one of them and they'd have to sign an NDA, but it would be worth it to have some company out here."
"I'm not sure telling any of my sisters about you is the best idea, but I'll come up with something, okay?"
Asher slaps him on the back. "And we'll come back and visit. You have our numbers. Call or text any time."
"Thanks." Jaxon looks genuinely grateful. "Come on. I'll get you back to your cars."
CHAPTER TWENTY
Clover
As soon as we're back at the trail head parking lot, standing in front of our vehicles, my phone lights up with messages. I scroll through them, all from my sisters. They aren't worried about me, they want to know why the hell Barley is in the house and when I'm going to get back to clean up the mess he's made.
I've got to get home.
I turn to Asher, who's got his phone to his ear, his whole face frowning in a way I didn't think possible for the guy. "Shit… No… I'm here… I was lost in the woods, Amelia. I'm not purposely ignoring your calls… I'm not joking around, I seriously got lost in the woods… Yeah, I'll be right there."
"What happened?" I ask as soon as he hangs up.
He sighs. "My parents had a fire in their condo. It's not a big deal, but they aren't going to be able to sleep there tonight and my apartment is tiny. Amelia's place isn't much bigger, and it's way past Harper's bed time. I need to get over there and help them figure out next steps."
"Why don't you let your parents stay at your apartment tonight? You can stay with me. We've got plenty of room."
