The little girl tossed her head back and giggled. “Worms don’t go in pies, silly!”
“They don’t?” Asher asked, feigning confusion. “Then don’t eat the pie that’s in the fridge at home, okay? I need to throw it out.”
That only made June laugh harder, the sound urging a smile to my lips as I watched the interaction between those two. While I’d known Asher for two decades, seeing this side of him was something altogether new, and I’d been completely immersed in it since I’d arrived. I couldn’t deny how much I loved it.
“That’s so gross, Uncle Asher!”
“Your uncleispretty gross, isn’t he?” I said, pulling even more giggles from June.
Once we made it to the front entrance, Asher reached over my head and grabbed the screen door, holding it open for us as he leaned down toward my ear. “A gross man you agreed to marry. Who’s the sucker now?”
As I’d become used to over the past several days, two different emotions warred inside me whenever he mentioned exactly what I’d agreed to—dread over intentionally and purposely trapping myself in this town, and then there was the very real exhilaration over tying myself tohim, specifically.
Before I could respond, the front door whipped open, and there stood my momma. Caroline Haven might’ve had four grown daughters and two granddaughters, but she was still a knockout. She’d been Miss Mississippi back in the day—a title Rory could claim as well—and she still looked the part in her pristine pale-pink skirt and ivory blouse, her gray-streaked dark hair pulled back in a twist.
Meanwhile, I wore flip-flops, a pair of ripped jeans, and a white tank top that would no doubt be food-stained by the end of the night. I usually let my hair air-dry after my shower, which meant it was a not-quite-straight, not-quite-curly, completely unruly mass. My momma and I were as different as night and day, but I loved her all the same.
“Thought I heard a bunch of commotion out here. Why didn’t y’all come in?” Momma asked, a bright smile on her face even as her gaze pinged to each of us, as well as somewhere overmy shoulder. Probably looking for the elusive, soon-to-be Mrs. McCoy.
“Asher was nervous,” I said, stepping inside without a backward glance toward him.
He huffed out a laugh. “I promise I wasn’t nervous, Miss Caroline.”
“Well, of course not! What on earth would you have to be nervous about?” She tsked and swatted my shoulder. “She’s just messin’ with you, like she loves to do.”
I nodded. “It’s one of my favorite pastimes, it’s true.”
“Now, let me see these babies!” She plucked Owen straight from Asher’s arms without asking, cooing at him before she squatted in front of June, a soft smile on her face. “I’m so glad you’re both here! And the girls are especially thrilledyou’rehere, June. If your uncle says it’s okay, you can go on into the backyard and play.”
June bounced on her tiptoes, tugging on the hem of Asher’s T-shirt, the move jostling it just enough to give me a tiny peek of toned stomach and a glimpse of the trail of hair that disappeared into the waistband of his jeans. I’d seen him without a shirt on countless times, so there was no good reason for my lips parting just from catching this glimpse.
“Can I?Can I?” June asked.
He chuckled low under his breath. “Yeah, but be careful. And no cupcakes!” he yelled after her retreating form.
“Can someone please show Miss June into the backyard with the girls?” Momma called toward the murmur of voices coming from the back of the house where the rest of the family no doubt was.
She turned her attention back on Asher, her eyes laser focused even as she entertained a squirmy Owen in her arms. “Now, how’re you holdin’ up, sweetheart?”
Asher nodded and swallowed. “I’m okay,” he said, though I heard enough in his tone to know his words weren’t entirely true.
While we hadn’t specifically talked about it since my arrival, I knew he was still bearing the weight of everything—not just his sister’s and brother-in-law’s deaths, but suddenly being thrust into the role of guardian…Dad, for all intents and purposes.
So, no, he wasn’t actually okay. But I was doing my damnedest to help him get there.
“Well, we’re here if you needanything. Don’t you hesitate to ask. And remind me before y’all leave, I’ve got a couple casseroles I’m gonna send y’all home with, too,” Momma said, walking down the hallway, no doubt assuming we’d follow.
That was Caroline Haven for you—quietly commanding and sweet as pie so you didn’t even realize you were being bossed around.
Amused, I glanced at Asher with raised brows, and he slung an arm around my neck, tugging me into his side. Though, like usual, he tugged too hard, and I had to catch myself with one hand on his back and the other on his stomach.
It was a move we’d made a hundred times before—one I’d never thought twice about. But now, I couldn’t help but notice how warm and solid his abs felt beneath my hand or how close my other one was to brushing the curve of his ass.
Sleeping in the same bed as him, waking up to find our limbs—at the very least—tangled together had completely fucked with my mind.
“Quit manhandlin’ me,” I murmured, using it as an excuse to pull away slightly.
He snorted softly and whispered, “As if anyone could unless you allowed them to.”
