Page 26 of Spooked
As if summoned, four-year-old Brynn appears in the doorway, all pigtails and gap-toothed smile. "AUNTIE ASH!"
My heart melts as she launches herself at my legs. "Hey, sweetpea!"
"I made you cookies and drawed you a picture of a haunted house!"
"Drew," Willa corrects gently.
I pat Brynn’s head. "I can't wait to eat these cookies and see this picture!"
Dash emerges, wiping his hands on a kitchen towel. He's every bit the heart throb I remember from the former reality show, McCafferty Customs—tall, with piercing blue eyes, and as solid as the trees surrounding their property. But the best part about him is how much he loves Willa and Brynn.
His easy smile is warm as he pulls me into a bear hug. "Good to see you, Ash. How'd the big assignment go?"
"Really well," I say, already missing Wolfe so much it's a physical ache. "Wolfe Marsden was...unexpected."
Suddenly, my phone buzzes again.
I can’t stop thinking about you. What have you done to me, woman!?
I bite my lip to hide my smile.
"Ash?" Willa's voice cuts through my thoughts. "You're blushing."
“Am I?” I shove my phone in my pocket. “Maybe it’s hot in here.”
She gives Dash a look, then narrows her eyes at me. “This has got to be good.”
Dinner is wonderful. Dash has become quite the cook, and Brynn entertains us with elaborate stories about her preschool adventures. Willa talks about all the new projects she has going at the Deepwood Mountain Library since she’s become the Head Librarian.
Dash has taken on the main childcare duties, spending most of his time at home with Brynn. But he goes into the shop a couple of times a week to check in on his cousin, Zane, and the rest of the crew.
Throughout the meal, my phone keeps buzzing with texts from Wolfe. Sweet ones about what he's working on, flirty ones that make me squirm in my seat, and surprisingly honest ones about how strange it feels to be without his mask around the house.
After Dash and Willa put Brynn to bed, Willa and I curl up on the couch with wine while Dash retreats to the garage to work on a bike.
"Now," Willa says, settling back with her glass of pinot noir. "Tell me about this mysterious hottie, Mr. Marsden, who has you glued to your phone."
I can't help the dreamy smile that crosses my face. "Wolfe is amazing."
"Go on."
I take a sip of wine, trying to organize my thoughts. "Willa, he's an artist. A true artist. The haunted attraction isn't just some cheesy Halloween thing—it's beautiful and haunting and meaningful. And he's..." I trail off, searching for the right words.
"Gorgeous?" she supplies helpfully.
"Yes…and scarred," I say. "From an explosion in Afghanistan. He saved his unit, but paid a price for it. He hides behind this mask, yet underneath..."
"Oh my god, you did sleep with him!" she says, much too loudly.
"Willa! Don’t wake up Brynn!” I whisper.
She waves me off. "She’s a heavy sleeper like her dad.” She shakes her head. “I thought you’d sworn off men for a while?”
“I did, but Wolfe isn’t just any man.”
Willa tilts her head as she studies me. “I can tell. You’re positively smitten. Plus, you've checked your phone more than the teenagers I see at the library." She grins. "Good for you. You deserve someone who treats you better than that asshole Neil did."
The mention of my ex makes me wince. Neil, with his unrealistic demands and constant criticism, his way of making me feel small and worthless. The complete opposite of Wolfe, who makes me feel seen and cherished and powerful.
