Page 87 of All For You
“Not sure. I don’t really care, to be honest. Her agent let it slip that she was looking for apartments in New York, so hopefully we’ll never run into her here.”
“We?”
“Well, I was kind of hoping I could get you out to a game or two once your dad is back on his feet. How is he doing, by the way?”
Aspen’s giggle sounded like it echoed across the mountain range and valley. “Same as yesterday and the day before that.”
The alarm on my phone sounded, and I knew my call was going to be cut short.
“Hey, cricket, I have to go hop in the shower. I’m due to take some pictures for a sports drink this afternoon.”
“Ooo, in your underwear?”
“No.” I laughed. “At least I don’t think so. They usually like us in our uniforms.”
“Fine. But if youdohave to get half naked, please have someone send me pictures.”
“You got it, babe. And don’t worry—everything will all work out. I love you.”
She sighed in the same way she did when she’d snuggle up against me in bed right before falling asleep. “I love you too.”
Chapter Twenty-One – Aspen
Staring up at the cloud-covered sky, I listened to the birds chirping as they made their plans to head south for the winter and the leaves rustling. Autumn in Ashfield had always been one of my favorites.
It had been a family joke that since my sisters and I were all named after something to do with the seasons that I would love winter, Autumn the fall, Aurora the spring, and Alexandra the summer. The latter, I wasn’t quite sure how they were related, but my mother insisted. And one thing I learned at a young age was to never argue with a southern woman.
Owen had been gone almost a month now, and I would be lying if I didn’t say it was a struggle. Despite the gifts, calls, and random messages, it wasn’t the same as having him close. I had no idea how anyone with loved ones in the military got through it. My mother had at one point, but we were still walking on eggshells around her, so I hadn’t had it in me to ask for her advice. Since my father’s heart attack, she’d been a bit more withdrawn than usual. Of course, we all understood. She’d lost her first husband at war, and now her second nearly lost his life as well.
Now that it had started growing colder and the sky was darkening far earlier than I liked, I refrained from heading to my ledge to think unless it was the middle of the day. Soon, the small creek that crossed through the path would freeze, and I wouldn’t be able to go at all until the spring.
Instead, I usually drove one of the UTVs over to the property, where a fence used to separate the Ramsey farm from our own. We had the natural waterway on our side of the property, and Mom had set up a gazebo just under an old oak tree. When I was little, it was one of my favorite places to play,even though it would always scare her when she couldn’t find me.
I used to lie across the bench and watch Owen play baseball in his backyard. I envied how he could play sports and use his free time to be a kid. I rarely got the luxury. My sisters had all attended dance classes, or art, something to keep them busy, but my only hobby had been tending the garden.
Funny thinking back to how I coveted Owen’s freedom, when all along he’d been in a worse prison than me. Mine was of duty; his was his father.
I jumped as my phone rang, and I found myself giddy with anticipation, my hands shaking as I pulled it free of my jacket, only to sigh in disappointment when I saw it was my eldest sister calling.
“Hi, what’s up?”
“Well, I was kind of hoping you could run by the bed-and-breakfast and grab my hospital bags.”
“Why?” It felt like Autumn had been pregnant forever. Thankfully, she was due anytime now.
That’s when it all hit me.
“Oh my gosh, are you in labor?” I jumped from the gazebo and ran toward the UTV parked close by.
“I think so, but my doctor said it could take a while for the first baby. So, I’m in no rush to head to the hospital, but I’m over at Alex’s cake shop with the twins right now. You’re probably the closest.”
“Sure. Where can I bring them? Did you want me to drop them off at your house? Where’s Colton?” I asked frantically. As the father, shouldn’t he be the one running around in circles, getting everything together, and—like in all the funny movies—forgetting the most important part: his wife? Instead, I could barely get the keys to the UTV into the ignition, dropping them three times before I was successful.
“Colton is with Nate right now. They were practicing with the rec hockey team. He’s on his way, but he needs to shower and everything.”
“Why is he not panicking? Why aren’tyoupanicking? Why am I the only one panicking?” I questioned as I pressed my foot to the accelerator and flew across the field.
“No need to panic, Aspen. We have plenty of time. Mom labored for forty-three hours with Andrew. I’ll meet you at the B&B and take a nice relaxing bath until I think I need to go to the hospital.”
