Asher folded the paper carefully and handed it back to me.
“It means someone knows you’re asking questions.”
My stomach tightened.
“And they don’t like it,” he added.
He stepped a little closer, lowering his voice.
“You don’t do anything tonight that puts attention on you,” he warned.
“I wasn’t planning to?—”
“Claire.” The way he said my name cut through whatever argument I was forming. “I’m serious.”
There wasn’t anger in his expression. Just concern.
“I won’t,” I said finally.
He searched my face like he was measuring whether that answer was enough.
After a beat, he stepped back.
“If I see Becket, I’ll let him know. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to include my dad on this.”
“That isn’t a bad idea,” I said.
“I’ll follow you back to Maple Valley. We can go over to the main house. Dad is usually there this time of night,” Asher said.
“I wouldn’t want to intrude,” I replied.
“You wouldn’t be. Trust me. Dad lives for keeping this town safe,” he replied.
“Okay, thanks. I’ll head that way now,” I said.
Asher looked so relieved he made me chuckle.
“What’s so funny?” he asked me.
“You,” I said. “You’re watching me like you think I’m off the walls.”
“You are a little bit,” he joked, scrunching his nose.
The more I got to know Asher, the more I liked him. He wasn’t just a good-looking guy. He had a good heart, cared about his family, and he cared about this town, which said a lot about him. We parted ways with me getting into my car and Asher getting into his truck. He followed me on the road toward Maple Valley. Halfway home, my phone rang.
Mom.
I hesitated, then answered.
“Hi.”
“Hi, sweetheart,” she said warmly. “Just checking in. How are things going?”
“Good,” I answered automatically. There was no way I wanted her to worry. “I spent the day working. Now I just left the cute little community center. They have an Olympic-size pool, so I went for a swim.”
“Swimming. You like to swim when you need to clear your mind,” she noted.
I couldn’t get anything past her.