Affairs & Atonements (7 page)

“This is normal, Dad.” The boy dismissed, jumping from one dead log to another. “It gets worse than this, believe me. And sometimes it even calms down.”

“I do believe you, son. But I’m not too keen on finding out just yet.”

“What about the baby squirrel? We can’t leave him out here like this in this weather!” the boy begged. “Let’s take it back home with us and Nan could help me feed it. She’s good with animals.”

“Ummm, okay.” He couldn’t leave the animal exposed in this manner either. It had no chance of surviving on its own. It was still blind and utterly dependent on nurturing. “But let me pick it up, alright?”

JR nodded as his father pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket. He daintily gathered the infant and wrapped its tiny body in the hanky.

“Okay, got him all nice and warm,” Ashton announced proudly. “Now, let’s get him home so we can feed him.”

Inside the musty storage room, they found an old box which they took with them back to the kitchen.

“Ask Nan for an old soft fabric, and a heating pad or an electric blanket.” Ashton instructed his son.

JR looked up at him curiously, his eyebrow raised with suspicion. “You sure you know what you’re doing? I could simply ask Nan to help out, you know. She’s done this a dozen times.”

“And so have I,” he grumbled, irritated by the consistent assumption held by both mother and son that he was somehow incapable of caring for anything delicate.

“Really?” his son asked, obviously pleasantly surprised which annoyed him all the more.

“Yes. Now, are you going to get that stuff I asked for?”

JR grinned before scooting off to look for his nan. He returned fifteen minutes later with the older woman striding up to him quickly.

“I heard you found an infant squirrel,” Margaret asked concernedly as she handed over a heating pad and soft fabric.

“JR did.” He smiled. “Thanks for these.”

She smiled back. “I can see you know what you’re doing. I shouldn’t be worried then.”

“I used to help care for abandoned animals back home when I was JR’s age.”

“It seems he’s taken after you there.”

He straightened up with curiosity. “This isn’t his first time?”

She shook her head, bobbing her short, graying hair. “A few months ago, it was a cotton tail rabbit. Prior to that a kitten. He’s got a lot of love in that small heart of his, that kid.”

Ashton smiled proudly. Even though he had never been around, his son had taken after him, sealing them together more firmly than ever as father and son.

“I found it!” JR skipped in with an oral syringe, displaying it happily.

He handed it over to his father and he took it, looking at it with interest.

“I’m going to guess that you know how to make a homemade formula for the infant.” Margaret grinned.

Ashton chuckled. “Yes. It would be great if you had some Pedialyte or Gatorade though.”

Margaret laughed. “Okay, show-off. Then I should just get on with my job and leave you two experts at it.” She winked at JR. “You got yourself a winner dad.” She teased, giving him a thumbs-up. “Take care of that baby. I’ll be back to check on your handiwork. So don’t any of you dare skip steps.” She giggled as she headed towards the door.

“Yes, ma’am,” they replied, staring at each other and then burst into chuckles too.

“Wow, isn’t she such a headmistress?” Ashton teased.

“She always is with animals.”

Ashton nodded. “That’s always a good thing.” He leaned down and delicately pinched the skin of the infant rodent. It stuck out like a tent and he instantly knew it was dehydrated. “You want to help me make it some food?”

“Yes! And can I feed it?”

“Okay, but you’ve got to be real slow and gentle. You don’t want to aspirate the baby.”

“What does that mean? Aspirate?”

“You don’t want the fluid going into the lungs or it’ll get sick.”

“Right.” JR nodded.

“Do you want to give it a name though? That usually helps get them better. Some love.”

“Rusty. I love Rusty,” the boy replied as he looked eagerly upon the animal.

“Well, Rusty it is. Now, where is the salt and sugar?”

“In those cupboards.” JR pointed.

He pulled open the one above the sink and it instantly fell loose into his hand, dangling by its lower hinge.

“What the-?” He almost swore, biting back his vulgarity.

“Oh yeah, that one needs to be fixed,” JR said before returning his attention to the baby squirrel.

Ashton pulled out the jars of sugar and salt. “Why haven’t they been fixed?” he asked as he scooped out the required measurement and mixed them in a quart of warm water in a bowl.

JR shrugged. “Mom hasn’t gotten around it, I guess. It’s been like that since Pop died. Sometimes Chad comes around to help.”

He tensed. “Who’s Chad?”

Chad Sullivan, Sheriff Deputy of Pierce County
. He sneered.
Why did women always fall for the poor tough guys?

“Dad…” JR hesitated, looking worriedly at the poor hinge being tortured by his father. “I think it’s tight enough, Dad.”

Incognizant of anything his son had said, Ashton continued to push hard onto the screw with the screwdriver.
Chad Sullivan… Chad Sullivan. He’s got to be taking advantage of Christy. I have to be sure he is the right man for her before I leave. Because? Because… Yes, I owe it to JR. This man is going to be a part of my son’s life and I am darned if some stranger will ruin it! This has nothing to do with Christy. It is about JR. Yeah, aha, nothing to do with a man taking Christy into his arms, kissing her, making love-

“Fuck!” he swore as the screwdriver slipped off the screw, almost stabbing his palm. He reddened when he noticed JR was looking up amusedly at him. “Sorry,” he said awkwardly. “I don’t normally say that.” He scratched his head. “You’re not going to tell your mom, are ya?”

JR shook his head and grinned.

“Doesn’t make it okay to say it though.” Ashton warned.

“It’s okay, Dad. It’s not like I haven’t heard it before. It’s a perfectly normal word in everyday language these days, you know?”

“Maybe, but you’re not using it.” He grumbled. He tested the door, opening and shutting it. “It looks as if that’s done.”

JR looked at his father with admiration. “Wow, Dad, you know how to mend stuff too?”

Ashton smiled as he stepped down from his step-stool. Wiping his hands onto an old towel, he glanced at the boy peering eagerly into the tool box and then picking out a hammer. He loved the way his son looked up to him. He remembered having the same look when he was about the same age as JR. But somewhere between being a child and an adult, it had disappeared, replaced with anger. He never wanted to lose that admiration like he had done with his father. Neither did he want his son looking up at another man as a possible father figure. There could only be one dad! And he didn’t care if he had to nail every goddamn hinge in this place to earn that respect; he was going to do it!

“So, what’s next?” He beamed. “Is there anything else that needs fixing?”

“I think some light bulbs need changing. They were burnt out.” JR twisted his mouth in deep thought. “Perhaps, it would be better if we ask Mom. She’d be able to tell us what needs to be done.”

Ashton coughed. “Let’s just start with what you know now and then we’ll ask Mom later.”

JR shrugged. “Okay.” He pointed at a fluorescent light tube. “I remember that one flickering.”

“Yeah?” Ashton glanced at it. “Switch it on so I can see.”

JR switched it on as instructed and then stood by the switch, watching his father examine it. “How come you know how to do all this? Did you learn it off your dad?”

“Yeah,” he mumbled. “Plus my family ran a hardware store so I ended up experimenting with most of what we sold.”

“They still run it?”

“They still do.” He smiled. “And now that you’re helping me, you’ll get to learn them too.”

The boy grinned, guarding the switch even more attentively than before.

Ashton fiddled with the light fixture and then sighed. “Looks as if the fitting’s loosened a bit. How about we check out the other lights as well and then take a trip downtown to get the right stuff?”

*****

Christy double-backed when she saw the infant rodent in the box in the corner of her kitchen.

“Margaret,” she called out. “Is this another of JR’s rescues?”

“And his father’s,” Margaret replied as she walked in with a basket full of fresh vegetables. “And I have to say he was pretty good at it too.”

“Ashton?” she asked in surprise.

“I believe that is his name.” Margaret grinned. “He really is doing his best to get along with JR.”

Christy tilted her head in deep thought. She had never seen this compassionate side of Ashton before. But then again, he had always been protective of Linda. Perhaps, he revealed his tender side only to those he loved. And she certainly didn’t make that list.

“Do you want a cup of coffee?” she asked Margaret, trying to not give any further attention to the man who continually disrupted her life.

She reached up for the cupboard above the sink, bracing one hand on the door, expecting it to fall loose like it always had done for the past five months. She really must hire a handy man to do the repairs around the lodge and the house before it fell apart any more than it already was. That damage to the roof of the lodge last summer by that fallen pine tree had sucked out much of their savings leaving very little for proper repairs this year. If Evan was still alive, he would have done them himself. The materials didn’t cost as much as the labor. And since Evan’s passing, much of the lodge had fallen into disrepair. She felt guilty for not being able to keep it up to the immaculate condition it was once in when Evan was alive. She would understand if Margaret castigated her at all for not managing the business like Evan did.

She sighed and pulled open the cupboard door. “So did you want one?” she asked Margaret again.

“Yeah, why not? The wind’s getting stronger and it’s getting colder as well. I could do with a hot mug right now.”

Christy pulled out two mugs and set them down before reaching out for the jar of instant coffee. It was then she looked up with interest at the cupboard door. It was screwed back in place, swinging perfectly without a glitch.

“Margaret?” she began with curiosity. “Did you get the cupboard door fixed?”

“Oh, that was Ashton as well,” Margaret replied casually as she dug into her draws for a peeler. “He and JR were at it as they went from room to room looking for things to repair. Ashton borrowed Evan’s tool box and had that mended in no time. Who would have known an advertising executive would be so good with his hands? It’s a rare find.” She smiled as she sort through her vegetables.

Christy was quiet, shifting awkwardly at her feet. “Where are they?” she asked at last.

“They went into town to get some stuff for the repairs, I believe.” Margaret glanced up in surprise. “I thought you knew. He borrowed your truck. And didn’t you give him money for the repairs?”

She straightened up with anger. “I didn’t give him anything,” she let out sternly as she marched out the doors.

The wind howled through the trees, billowing the curtains of her living room as she threw open the front doors. Ashton had just pulled up the drive way, the headlights of her truck blinding her eyes.

“Mom?” JR said as he jumped out of the front seat.

“Get inside!” she shouted at him. “You should have had better sense to tell me where you were going before leaving like that!”

“I told Nan,” he cried. “And I went out with Dad. He needed me.”

She rubbed her temples with annoyance. “Just get inside, Ash.”

JR glanced at his father with hurt in his eyes. His mother had reverted to his old name and that could only mean she was angry.

Ashton nodded at him. “Go on, son. I’ll sort it out with your mother.”

JR looked indecisively at them and then scrambled indoors before his mother could scold him again.

“Don’t you think you’re being unnecessarily unfair on the boy?” Ashton growled.

“Unfair? You’re one to talk about fairness! What the heck are you doing fixing up my lodge? And why are you driving my truck?!”

“I’m trying to make sure that my son lives decently.” He minced. “Is that wrong?”

“No, but you should have at least told me what you were doing before you took the liberty to mend things however you wanted!”

“Margaret knew what I was up to and she didn’t mind it a bit. She’s the one who gave me the keys to your truck. I’ve changed the oil too. You can thank me later,” he said, walking away to the back of the truck without waiting for her to answer.

She fumed, racing after him. “Who do you think you are? You can’t just walk in here and start doing things as if you knew how to do them better! This is my home, my truck!”

“Yeah and a good job you’re doing at it too.” He grumbled sarcastically as he pulled out a bundle of timber from the back.

“Are you saying I can’t do my job? And what is that? What are you going to do with that?” she blurted, watching him gather the bundle and carry it on his shoulders.

He didn’t bother to stay and argue with her, instead walking on away towards the kitchen verandah.

“Ashton, I’m talking to you!” she screamed.

“You’ve got the wrong, Ashton. I’m your husband-
not
your son!”

“Husband?” She huffed. “Ex… ex-husband! We signed the papers, remember!”

“They haven’t been filed yet.” He threw behind him. “So until then, I’m still your husband.”

She stared after him in utter speechlessness.

He ignored her, laying the timber on the floor of the verandah.

“You had better have a good reason for leaving those in my verandah,” she growled.

“Your balcony rails need replacing. And if you don’t get them done soon, you’ll be facing some serious accident. And I’d be damned if it is going to be my son falling through them.”

“I…I…” she stammered. She knew he was right. But her pride was getting in her way of admitting it. “I was-”

But he was walking away again and into the lodge.

How dare he insult her like that?! She was not that seventeen year old anymore who would silently accept a tongue-lashing and then left to deal with the insult all on her own!

She chased after him, trying not to exude much of her wrath before her guests.

He strode into his room, slamming the door behind him.

She puffed angrily. This was her lodge! He couldn’t simply shut a door on her face!

She turned the knob and threw the door open. “I know you’re rude. You’ve always been that, and nothing seems to have changed in all these years. But while you’re staying with me, I expect some respect from you!”

“Close that door behind you if you don’t want to lose the respect from your guests as well.” He advised as he unbuttoned his shirt.

She didn’t bother to argue because he made perfect sense and obediently turned to shut it. But when she spun around, ready to rebuke him again for his behavior, she stopped short on seeing his bare torso.

“What are you doing?!” she let out, her face flustered by the tingling sensation he evoked inside her.

“You ask that a lot, don’t you?” He raised his brow as he undid his belt. “I’m going to take a shower.”

“Well, put your clothes back on because I need to talk to you.”

“You don’t need my clothes for a talk.  Unless…” His eyes scrolled down the length of her.

She clutched onto the placket of her shirt. “Stop that! You’re making me uneasy.”

“Why?” He edged closer to her. “If I mean nothing to you, why would I make you uneasy?”

“This is
not
about how you’re making me feel; which of course is nothing. It is just isn’t normal for a woman to have a decent conversation with a half-naked man.”

“You say that a little too vehemently for a woman who feels nothing for me,” he drawled seductively, now only a breath away from her.

She instinctively stepped back, slamming into the wall. “Ashton, step away. I’m warning you.”

“Or you will…?”

“I’ll scream.”

“Really? When every guest in this lodge knows that I am JR’s father. Don’t you think that’s a little suggestive?” He leaned into her, his hands on either side of her, blocking her escape. He glanced down at her trembling lips and he instantly knew he wanted to possess them.

He had only wanted to tease her- his little vengeance for her needless outburst. But he should have known he was playing with fire. The more he grew closer to her, the more he wanted to be burned by her flames. Her hands were bracing his bare waist, trying to push him away from her. But all he could feel was the heat her touch had fired through his veins.

He bent lower down to her, breathing in the scent of her flesh in the curve of her neck. Her hands travelled up his rib cage and he grew hard from wanting her.

“Ashton, stop…,” she rasped, her eyes captivated by his.

“Say please,” he whispered against her lips.

He lowered his head down and kissed her neck daintily. She pulled in a sharp breath, her fingers clenched, biting into his flesh.

His arousal stirred and he desperately needed her for some relief. He cupped her buttocks and pulled her roughly against him, pressing himself hard into her. She moaned and her sound burst his walls of restraint. His mouth caught the flesh of her neck, sucking it, nipping it; tasting it.

Euphoria swept over him as if he had been starved of taste for eleven years. He had been hunting her, searching for her- just to have this.

She writhed in his arms, her hands wrapped tightly around his back, pulling him into her.