That same pang of sadness from this morning fills my chest. It aches. Why the fuck do I care? Asher, for all that we’ve done together, is a total stranger. Why do I care about losing him?
The question echoes in my mind as I fall asleep, and I’m not entirely sure that I want to know the answer.
10
Asher
When my phone rings with a call from the insurance company the next day, I’m completely unsurprised. This is what I wanted.
“Asher Pearson.”
“Hi, Mr. Pearson. This is Ellen over at National Wilderness Insurance. You have a second to talk?”
I smile, doing my best to keep it out of my voice. “Of course. What can I do for you?”
She clears her throat. “Well, we’ve gotten a report that some of your safety procedures and equipment might not be up to our current standards, which would violate the policy that you have with us. I’m sorry to have to relay bad news.”
“Ah,” I said, making my tone understanding. “I’m assuming the report came from Gary Brandt?”
“Umm.” She sputters, clearly not expecting me to have as much information as she does. “Yes. That’s right.”
I sigh. “I’m sorry to tell you, Ellen, Mr. Brandt has been harassing me and my business partners for months trying to poach our services. I assure you that all our safety equipment is fine, and our procedures are extremely careful.”
“But—”
“I don’t expect you to take my word for it, of course. Please send someone out for an inspection and allow your informant to come along. I’m sure we’ll get this straightened out in no time.”
Ellen is quiet for a moment. “That’s what I called to tell you. They’re already on their way and will be there shortly.”
“I’ll be looking forward to it,” I say, glad that she can’t see my look of surprise. I’m ready, but I thought I’d have a little more time.
I end the call and drop my head into my hands. I’m fucking exhausted. Last night I didn’t sleep well, tossing and turning, unable to get comfortable. Until I realized that the bed felt too empty, and that the comfort that I was looking for was Rose.
It’s impossible. I can’t feel that way over sharing a bed with her for one night. But I’ve always slept alone. Even after the many one-night stands that I’ve had over the years, I always left and slept in my own bed.
But Rose? I never even considered barring her from my bed. It was just a given that when I married her and took her back to my house that she was going to stay there. Almost like she fit so well with me that my subconscious pulled her into my soul without asking. What the fuck does that mean?
I wanted to get back at her for tricking me. That’s why I’d married her in the first place. But last night has me wondering if there’s more to it than I had thought. Had I…had I recognized something so deep in Rose that I’d felt the need to claim her and make her mine?
Even if I wanted to dig into the possibility, I don’t have time right now. I dress, making sure that I look professional. By the time I’m done and finished checking the emails that I ignored while Rose was here, I hear the sound of tires on gravel.
Stepping outside, I wave to the car pulling up. Two men. One about my age. I vaguely recognize him from when we first signed our insurance paperwork. And the other one older. Graying hair and beard, short, and wearing a suit that is ill fitting and faded. I can see a little of Rose in him, but not much. She must take after her mother.
He has a smug look of victory on his face, and I can’t wait to see that completely disappear.
“Mr. Pearson,” the younger guy shakes my hand. “Jack Barrow.”
“We’ve met before, right?”
He nods. “Once.”
“I thought so. Good to see you again.” I turn to Rose’s father, and I don’t shake his hand. “Mr. Brandt. Let’s get this going, shall we?”
We head straight down the path that I took Rose on when we started her tour and start with the boat house. There’s small talk that I mostly tune out, my mind wondering what Rose is doing right now. Is she thinking about me? Is she worried about getting the proof? I should have given her what she wanted. I don’t want any part of her worrying. About anything.
“Here we are,” I say, gesturing into the boat house. I run down the details of our safety procedures that we go through with every client, and all the equipment that we have backs that up. “We also have all procedures written and codified so we can present them to the guests before they arrive, and a waiver, of course. You’re free to look at both.”