As she closed the front door behind her, she took a moment to pause in the foyer. She knew from talking with Grant that his place had been the first home he and Lara had bought together. It was easy to imagine what had led to them choosing the house, it was a great place to raise a family, and she wondered if or when she and Grant did get married, if he’d want to stay here.
With this house so full of memories of his past, she could imagine that he would, but Ashlyn couldn’t help but feel like a fresh start might be better for all of them. No way would she object to their being pictures of Lara in the house, and she was sure there were other special keepsakes that Grant and his kidswould want to keep. She didn't have any problem with that, but it would also be nice to have a clean slate, a place that wasn't his and his family’s, and a place that wasn't hers, instead one that belonged to all of them.
“You're getting ahead of yourself, Ashlyn,” she reminded herself as she hurried down the hall.
That was absolutely true.
Just because he’d mentioned to her, he wanted to marry her and live together didn't eliminate their biggest problem.
Thankfully, that problem was currently at school.
There were several meetings she had to attend this afternoon, one with a celebrity client who wanted to talk about their design ideas for a custom-made piece of jewelry, and the other with the board for a charity she was part of that had to discuss some problems with an upcoming New Year’s gala. Really, she should be prepping for both, but when Grant had called and asked her to stop by his house because he’d forgotten to add the water to the bag of fake snow in his laundry room, Ashlyn found she couldn’t say no to him.
“Because you're hopelessly in love with him and desperately praying that Lindsay will accept you, or at least stop being so openly hostile.”
Sighing as she entered the laundry room, she found the huge paddling pool on the floor, with the fake snow powder inside. She couldn’t really say she understood this thirteenth day of Christmas tradition the Bull family had, but both Grant and Kevin had been very excited by the fake snow angels they’d be making inside tonight.
Their excitement had been catching, and she’d agreed to be part of the fun. Knowing she got to spend another evening with her favorite guy and her favorite kid, had a smile chasing her worry away. Lindsay couldn’t really hate her forever, surely. Atsome point the teen would realize that she was no threat to Lara’s memory.
Adding water to the fake snow, when she’d filled the pool with the amount Grant had said, she stood for a moment and watched as the fluffy powder began to morph into fluffy snow. For something that was fake, it certainly looked realistic, and she decided the Bull family was onto something with these indoor snow angels. All the fun of real snow angels without the icy cold as wet snow seeped into your clothing.
Just as she was about to head out, she heard footsteps on the stairs.
No one was supposed to be there.
Grant was at work, and the kids were at school. Had someone broken in?
Moving as quietly as she could, Ashlyn grabbed the laundry room door handle and eased it open just enough to peek through, only to find there was no burglar.
Just one angry teenage girl who had obviously skipped school.
Slipping her cell phone, which she’d grabbed so she could call 911, back into her purse, she opened the door. Lindsay wasn't going to be pleased to see her, but she wanted to give the girl a chance to head right back to school before Ashlyn called Grant.
“What are you doing here?” she asked as she stepped into the family room.
Lindsay shrieked and spun around, her shock quickly morphing to rage. “What areyoudoing here? I live here, but you don’t. Did you break in? Perfect, wait until my dad hears that you're some sort of psycho stalker. That’ll get him to break up with you.”
“Your dad knows I'm here, Lindsay. He called and asked me to come because he forgot to put the water in the fake snow. He told me where the key was hidden so I could let myself in.You're supposed to be in school, your dad won't be happy when he hears you're here, skipping classes.”
“It’s none of your business,” the girl seethed. If hatred was a person, it would have to be Lindsay Bull.
“It might not be my business, but it is your dad’s. I’m going to have to tell him.” Not because she wanted to get the girl in trouble, but because she wasn't going to keep secrets from Grant. Especially not to do with his children.
“You're going to love that, aren't you?” Lindsay sneered. “Trying to get me in trouble with my dad so he’ll like you better than me.”
Surprise had Ashlyn’s mouth dropping open. “I don’t want your dad to like me better than you. Your dad loves you, and I would never do anything to change that. I just care about what happens to you, Lindsay, and you know better than to skip school.”
“Shut up and get out,” the teenager screamed.
“Talk to your dad, please, Lindsay. He’s so worried about you, and this is only going to make him more worried.”
“If he was worried about me, thenyouwould already be out of our lives.”
Staying was only going to continue to enflame things, so Ashlyn gave Lindsay a sad smile. “Your dad loves you more than life itself,” she said softly as she headed back to the hall and out of the house.
Knowing she didn't have a choice didn't make the phone call she had to make any easier. Grant was going to be both angry and concerned, Lindsay was spiraling, and Ashlyn knew it was her fault.
Was it time to walk away from Grant?
