Chapter 6

Disclaimer: I honestly don't own SON

Spencer's POV

I always thought that brown eyes were always so plain, boring and without any character or expression at all, but I'm starting to see how utterly mistaken I have been. These eyes of this woman are unlike anything I have ever laid eyes upon. They completely stunning with their many different tints of brown that collide and swirl together perfectly ; hues of chocolate ranging from milk to extra dark, sweet toffee, honey gold tints, with specs of tart coffee sprinkled here and there. Seriously how many shades of brown could there possibly be? More than I had thought imaginable that's for sure.

I was brought out of my musings by a rumbling voice behind me. "Oh good. Ya'll found Ash." Clay states while walk up to my side with his big pearly white grin.

I look over at the brown eyed woman in shock. On the way from the airport Clay was going on and on about a carpenter he called Ash and all they had done with his house and about all the projects and jobs they had done around the entire town. He also told me how that this particular carpenter is the only one anywhere in this county that he would trust his house with; it was built during the 1830's and had a lot of sentimental value. I was expecting a big, burly, bear of a man not this young, pretty, sinewy woman.

"Um, yeah, yeah we did." I answer him shyly. He just smiles and turns to Ash with an amused look. How odd.

"Hey Ash, you home in there?" He questions her while waving a huge hand in her face. She jumps hard and nearly falls on her butt from her previous kneeling position by my sons and a big russet dog. I have to hold in a giggle at the embarrassed look on her face.

She stands slowly as if she doesn't want to fall over again and stretches out a hand for me shake.

"I'm Ashley Davies, at your service ma'am." She has a surprisingly husky but gentle voice. What's more surprising is the warmth and softness of her hands.

"Spencer Carlin." I can't go by married name any more. This is my new and I will carry not a hint of any old memories with me.

"And I'ma Scotty!" My blond headed son exclaimed and slipped Ashley's hand from my hand to one of his chubby toddler hands.

Ashley just laughs and shakes his little hand. "Nice to meet younglin'" She chuckled once again in a beautifully raspy voice.

He giggles and jumps at Clay and repeats his greeting with his typical never ending enthusiasm. They would have met Clay earlier but they had passed out half way through the flight and had only woke up outside in the parking lot. I just shake my head and smile at the child. I turn away from the little blonde and to my little dark haired son.

"Skylar, why don't you come say hello to Ms. Davies and Mr. Lewis?" I reach out a hand to the shy boy. He hesitates few a seconds before grabbing it and allowing me to pull him over so he would be standing in front of me.

Ashley kneels down in front of us and slowly reaches out a hand. He takes a step further into my legs and away from the offending appendage.

"Hello bud. My name is Ashley." She says with gentleness I never heard anybody besides I use with the boys. That seems to comfort him just enough to where he places his hand into hers.

"My name is Skywar." He says softly to his sneakers.

She smiles and releases herself from my son's grip. "It's nice to meet Skylar."

He just waves timidly still refusing to meet her eyes.

"And this is my puppy Rocco." Ashley continues with a pat of her thigh to regain the dog's attention that was on a mission that involved an old man's plate of sausage. The puppy's ears rose at the sound of his name and ran over to the four of us; Scotty finally completed his greeting. I swear the dog's tail was going at lease hundred miles per hour.

I smile and pat Rocco on the head. He responded by turning up his head and drenching my hand with his puppy slobber.

Ashley chuckled. "No licking Rocco." He stops mid lick and turns to face his master, tongue hanging out of his mouth and tail swooshing from side to side.

"Sorry 'bout that." She apologized and pulled a hoary green rag out of her back pocket, sliding it into my hand with a contrite expression.

"It's fine…no worst then cleaning up the kitchen table covered in who knows what after two little boys." I say while wiping my hand with the hanky, throwing a pointed look at Scotty who was hugging the Labrador.

"I don't make messes Mommy. I make it pwetty with the S'ghetti O's." Scotty huffs at me with an annoyed fold of his arms.

My amused retort is caught off by three distinctly different laughs; a deep guffaw, a relaxed chortle, and a delightful velvety chuckle. I look over and watch has Clay, Ashley, and an older grandmother-like woman laugh in delight at my son's serious attitude and somber expression. I have to admit he was adorable right now, but when aren't my boys doing something cute. Even when they are doing something they're not supposed to they make it so endearing in some way or another.

"What a little character." The grandma laughed, "I'm Rose Kann." She reaches out her hand and scoops up my hand in her wrinkly one.

"I'm Spencer Carlin. It's nice to meet you Mrs. Kann." I say politely. Rose pulls me into a hug laughing all the while. People are really happy and friendly around here aren't they?

"Oh honey," Mrs. Kann chuckles, "everyone calls me Gran or Granny Rose."

"Well, it's nice to meet Gran." I amended a bit awkwardly. I didn't even call my own grandmother, gran or granny.

She smiles and putts my shoulder in approval. "And you are?" She questions the three year olds.

"I'ma Scotty!" Scott calls over Rocco's head with gusto.

"Skywar." Skylar says quietly and simply without removing his face from Rocco's neck. I think the boys fell in love.

"Aren't the precious." Rose coos and ruffles their hair.

"Thank you." They really are the best things I could ask for.

"I'm sure ya'll don't have any groceries up at that house so how about you let me whip ya'll up some of my famous chicken dumplings." Rose tells me more than asks. Before I can even answer she is herding me over to a booth. The boys follow closely behind Rocco when Ashley gestures toward our table's direction.

"Now Granny, why don't ya actually ask the lady before ya force 'er into a booth?" Ashley asks jokingly and lightly nudges the older woman's shoulder with her own.

"It sounds wonderful." I say with a small smile gracing my mouth.

"See Ashley dear? I know what I'm doing." Gran says smugly. Ashley and Clay just shake their heads and smile fondly at the lady.

"I know you do, Gran."

She guides me down in my seat and smiles at me. "Dinner is on the way." She says happily and skips into the kitchen. The boys climb over my lap and into the booth then plop down on the seat, putting their elbows on the table with matching 'Yay food!' beams on their faces.

"Oh and by the way," Gran continues popping her head out of the doorway, "I'm no Mrs., honey, I got rid of him thirty years ago and nothing, to this very day, was ever proven."

Ashley snorts a laugh and rolls her eyes. "Go on Gran before Ms. Spencer here thinks you're a crazy ol' woman more than you already are."

Gran mockingly makes an offended noise in the back of her throat before disappearing around the corner.

"Don't listen to old Granny Rose; she is getting loonier with age." Ashley says lightheartedly.

"Like my brother always says "The crazier the more fun they are"." I quote my dimwitted brother.

Ashley laughs. "I agree wholeheartedly." After that it goes quiet.

After a moment of awkward silence Clay clears his throat. "Whelp, Raife said he would pick me up and take me back out to my car." He says to Ashley before turning to face me. "Ashley will take you on up to the house. The water, electric, and everything is on. We also cleaned up the inside a bit."

"Okay. Thank so much Mr. Lewis."

Clay holds up a hand in defiance. "Remember, call me Clay. Plus any sister of Glen's is a friend of mine. It was my pleasure."

He is such a nice guy. "But still, thank you."

He tips his hat. "You're welcome. I'll see ya'll 'morrow."

Ashley stands awkwardly for a moment more before taking a hesitant seat in front of me. "Sooo…where did ya'll move from?" Ashley asks, scratching the back of her neck.

"Um, the Hollywood side of Los Angeles." I say timidly while playing with my fingers under the table. I don't think I've ever went this shy around another woman or person for that matter.

"Cali? Man, I couldn't live up there; to many people in one place."

"I don't blame you. I never really liked living there but I was moved down there when I was seven and I couldn't really make myself leave." More like I wasn't allowed.

"What changed your mind?" She probed.

I was afraid that question would come up but I never could of think of any good stories. Thankfully I didn't have to answer. Ashley's pants' pocket started ringing causing her to fumble around for the phone.

Saved by the bell.

She glances at the phone, raising an eyebrow as she looks at who is calling. She gives me an apologetic look and gives me the world wide sign of 'one minute'.

I take this moment to fully take in the woman sitting before me. From her long crazily curly auburn hair down to the muddy black hiking boots on her feet, she is perfect. The way her curls bounces as she shakes her head while talking, the way her muscles flexed underneath her black tank top when she switches position, and the way the black ink of her eagle, anchor, and globe tattoo on her forearm stood out proudly. Isn't that the Marine emblem?

"Fine, you can go as long as there are no boys going with you. You know what would happen if Raife found out." Ashley's stern voice brought me out of my thoughts and scrutinize.

I wonder who she is talking to.

"No buts, Kyla. If I find out there are any guys with you it won't be a good day for them." She warns again. She must be talking to teenager.

"Alright, go have fun. Love you too... Bye." She flips the cell shut and slips it back into her camouflage pants.

I try to hide my curiosity but apparently Ashley can see right through it. "That was my little sister, Kyla."

"You have a sister? Who old is she?" I jump at the chance to steer her away from her pervious question.

"She's fifteen going on ten." She says with a grimace.

I laugh and shake my head. "She can't be that bad."

Ashley snorts. "It depends on the day of the week. She is so…" she trails off. I guess she doesn't have a word to describe her sister.

"Diva-like?" I didn't even notice Rose walking up to us.

Ashley snaps her fingers and nods. "You can say that again."

Gran runs a hand through her white hair. "I love Ky but that girl belongs in the city not in this small town."

Ash rubs her chin and gestures in an agreeing fashion. "So true."

Gran places the boys' plates in front of them before laying down mine. "What do you say?" I ask the toddlers who are already shoveling food in their mouths.

"Twank you, Gwammy." They say through a mouth full of dumplings food.

"Your welcomes babies." Gran ruffles their hair again.

"Thank you Gran." I say with a small smile.

"Anytime, Dearie."

Shortly after Rose walks away Ashley gets called into the kitchen leaving me alone with the boys. I really do think we will like it here. Everyone is so nice and laid-back. This is exactly what we need.

About ten minutes later Ashley comes back and looks down at me.

"Are you ready to see your new house?" She asks with a grin.

"Yes please. Let me pay for this and we can go?" My statement turned into a question halfway through. I'm not really used to telling somebody something but being told to do something.

"Don't worry about that; it's on me." Ashley says already pulling out a wallet from her back pocket.

"No, no I can't let you do that." I tell her quickly and place my hand on top on hers.

She stares at our hands for a moment before shaking her head. "Please…it would be my pleasure." When she says it like that with those brown eyes staring at me I can't find it in myself to say no.

"Thank you." I remove my hand from her's, slightly red faced. What is wrong with me?

"As I said," She places a twenty on the counter, " it's my pleasure." She smiles a nose crinkling smile at me. She has a beautiful smile that I can't help but smile back at.

This must be what the phrase "southern hospitality" is about.

"Let's get ya'll home."

I starting to think my brother really does have an inner genius.