Chapter 11

Disclaimer: I don't own SON.

Ashley's POV

I'm driving back to Davies Ranch listening to Lynyrd Skynyrd's Free Bird playing quietly throughout the cab of the truck, thinking about Spencer's comment that she said earlier this morning. What did she mean by "my ex-husband didn't allow me to work"? Did she mean he didn't want her to work because he needed her to stay home with their children until they were older or did she mean he didn't permit her work? That she was forbidden to?

My brows furrow and I reach out to shift gears.

Is that why she left him? Because he was controlling? If so, was he also…hurting her? That would explain a lot…like her shyness, her jumpiness, and her fear a being touched.

My hands clinch around the steering wheel in anger.

How could someone harm such a beautiful, sweet, and kind woman? Even I could tell that she has a gentle soul the very moment I looked into those sparkling blue eyes the other day in the dinner: this woman has a good heart, a heart too caring for someone to abuse it. Someone would be lucky to be able to call that young woman their own.

I do know one thing though; I'm going to figure out how to help Spencer. I mean, there was obvious pain in those baby blues today out on the porch. There is a presence of deep sadness that needs to be taken away and if I can help in some way, by God I'm going to.

I take a deep calming breath through my nose whilst turning down the dirt road which leads down into the valley that I've call home for all my twenty-six years. God, I can hardly believe I'm only in my mid-twenties, I feel so much older than that now a days. Way to damn old.

Pulling up to the house, I spot a very familiar Dodge Durango sitting out in front of the old tire swing set I built for Kyla for her sixth birthday. I lay my head back onto the seat and groan. I do not want to deal with this right now or ever for that matter.

I sit in my truck for probably ten minutes before I'm able to get up the gumption to get out and walk into my own house.

"Maybe I can just sneak by and they won't even realize I even came through." I grumble to myself, hefting Rocco up into my arms so his nails wouldn't crack against the wooden boards in the foyer.

I grunt. "Damn you've gained some weight dude." I whisper to the lab. He just throws his paws over my shoulders and thumps his tail against my side, licking my chin quickly.

I roll my eyes and carefully start tiptoeing through the living room. When I look over at the couch I notice Raife dead asleep on the sofa, an empty beer bottle gripped slackly in his hand. I glance quickly around the room and listen for any other noises that would suggest that anyone was down here. Neither seeing nor hearing anything or anyone I continue up the stairs.

Hmmm Kyla most be upstairs in her bedroom or something. As far as the owner of the SUV outside, I hope they are out yonder looking for me and are thinking of giving up soon. That would be awesome in so many ways. I just want to grab a beer, kick off my boots, strip out of my clothes, take another damn pain pill and watch TV until I pass out.

I continue tiptoeing down the hallway and when I get to my bedroom door I nudge it open quietly with my elbow. Since I was looking down, I didn't see the strikingly beautiful woman sitting across my unmade bed.

"Hello Gunnery Sergeant Davies." A voice smooth as silk, purrs seductively from my left.

Startled, I drop Rocco onto the floor with a thud. The dog looks up at me in annoyance but I completely miss it, looking at the young red head reclining on my queen sized bed.

I can't help but let my eyes travel the gentle curves of her pale body encased in her skin tight little black dress that displays her assets proudly. Quickly realizing what I'm doing I rip of eyes away from her body to stare into her lustful hazel eyes.

"What are ya doin' here, Amy? I told ya not to come unless the kids are with ya. You're not supposed to be here." I growl, removing my long sleeve shirt and tossing it on the floor next to my bureau. I turn away from the woman, yanking my dog tags off to toss them carelessly on the desk beside me.

"Yes I know Ashley but can you really blame me? I've been so lonely lately." I feel two smooth hands land on my shoulders, kneading softly.

I shrug her hands off and spin around. "Don't touch me!" I snap at her, walking away to sit on the bed in order to slide off my boots, glaring at her hotly.

She isn't even fazed. "Oh, Ashley. You know that you don't mean that. You used to find my touch very…pleasurable." She murmurs saucily.

I flinch. "That was a while ago. It didn't mean anythin'. I was vulnerable, you were vulnerable, and we both wanted the comfort of another person. It shouldn't have happened. It was wrong, deceitful, and dishonorable to your husband…my best friend." I whisper out the last part.

One and a half months after Shawn's funeral, Amy came to me crying and heartbroken. It started off with me just cradling her in my arms and whispering how sorry I was and that I'd do anything she needed me to do to help. Anything at all. After a while she pulled away and I thought she was done crying and wanted to talk but instead she pulled me into a desperate kiss. At first I tried to fight it, I really did, but a sudden urge for the comfort of another's body heat and emotional release overwhelmed me so I let her pull my body on top of her own and proceeded to lose myself in her embrace.

The next morning I felt like a real piece of work. I was disgusted with myself for allowing my emotions to run out of control like that with a woman who was just widowed and that happened to be my best friend's – my brother's-wife and the mother of my nieces and nephews.

Amy and I didn't speak or see each other for two weeks until the day arrived when she once again came for me. Yet again, I fell into her comforting arms and lost myself in her fiery embrace. It continued for weeks until one day I couldn't do it anymore; the heavy guilt was starting to slowly crush me, suffocating the little life I still had harbored inside my shell of a person. I put an end to it and since I did Amy has been trying to tempt me with her body and alluring words ever since. It's like she wants to punish me and this is the only way she knows how.

Amy sighs. "Really Ashley? He's dead. God knows I miss him and pray that what happened was just a long terrible dream that I'll wake up from any second but it's not. We aren't hurting anyone. No one knows."

I scoff. "I miss 'im too and havin' sex with you is rubbin' his memory in the dirt. No one may know but I know and that's 'nough for me. I will not do it again. Get that through your head. If you have any respect for your husband you will leave and not come back unless it's for me to see the kids. Other than that…stay away from me."

I hate to be so harsh, especially with Amy, but I can't allow her to try to rekindle something that was never truly there. There can't be anything happening between us. Ever again.

Amy titters sadly. "Both you and Shawn were always so loyal to each other…" she turns away from me, wiping a tear from her cheek, "I just miss him so much and the two of you were so much alike I just needed to…"

I pulled her into my arms and kissed the side of her head. "I understand but I can't do this anymore. Please understand that Amy. Please." I tighten my arms around the red head as more tears track down her face, smearing her mascara.

"I know, Ash. I understand. I'm going to go… I'll see ya." She whispers into my shoulder. She pulls away from my arms, smiling sadly at me. Amy turns away and walks out my door without another word.

I stare at the doorway with a feeling I can really place settling into the bottom of my stomach before slumping down onto my bed, burying my head in my pillow.

Ahhh. What a day.

The Next Day at 7:56

I'm checking the porch steps that I worked on yesterday, making sure that everything was in order, when Spencer walks out with two cups of coffee and a plate full of those amazing peanut butter cookies with a dazzling smile gracing her face that could quite possibly light up the darkest room.

I grin brightly back and reach out my hand to relieve her of my coffee cup and the cookies. "Howdy there, Miss Spencer."

The blonde takes a seat on the top step and pats a spot next to her, inviting me down before returning my greeting. "Good morning Ashley…How was your night?"

Her question surprises me but I grin easily and shrug good-naturally anyway. "It was…interestin' to say the least. How 'bout yours?"

She licks her lips and wrings her hands. "It was nice. The twins and I took advantage of the surround sound and theater system you set up last night."

I chuckle. "I glad. That is a really sick system ya got there, darlin'. I have to say I'm a tad bit jealous." I say teasingly.

She flushes. "You're welcome to watch a movie with us sometime if you'd like. I was digging through my boxes last night and I found a few movies I haven't really watched in a…while."

Is she asking me to stay and have a movie night with her?

She must have seen the question in my eyes because she blushes a deeper shade of red. "I mean, if you want to. I'm making a baked chicken with French fried onions. Um, and I'm going to use those blackberries the boys and I picked to bake a cobbler."

My mouth waters at her words. God does this woman know how to win someone over or what?

I smile dreamily and nod. "You had me a chicken, Spence. I love me some good ol' food and yours just happens to be terrific."

She looks down bashfully. "You're too kind."

Hesitantly I reach over, my hand hovering under her chin. She flinches back for a moment but after a few seconds she leans closer to my hand allowing me to cup her chin, angling it up to face mine. "You really need to give yourself some credit. I know we have only known each other a few days but I can tell you are so much better than you think."

Her eyes glimmer with ushered tears and slowly she leans in and hugs me. "Thank you. You don't know how much that means. I can see the same thing when I look at you."

My breath hitches and I hug her slightly tighter before untangling from our embrace. "Thanks darlin'"

She smiles and slides back to lean on the railing, wiping a tear from her eye. What is with me and making girls cry lately?

"Breakfast?" She questions shyly, looking up at me from under her lashes.

I snort a laugh. "Always!"

5:47 P.M.

"What is that?"

"A hammer."

"What is that?"

"A tape measure."

"What is this?" Scotty asks holding up my heavy duty riveter set for inspection.

"It's a riveter." I answer, looking back at the leaky pipe under the sink that I've been trying to fix for the last thirty minutes without luck.

It seems that Scotty and Skylar have really warmed up to me and have been talking and asking nonstop questions. Well Scotty is talking while Skylar just sits next to me on my right playing with an unsharpened carpenter's pencil.

"What does it do?" The little blonde asks setting the tool down and looking up at me curiously.

I finish tightening the pipe before answering. "It puts screws, pins, nails, and fasteners in a piece of metal."

"Ooooh. Is it fun?" He asks as I put away my tools.

"Yea it is but ya have to get older before usin' it. Okay?" I inform him.

"Otay, Ashwe."

Skylar looks up at me and lefts up his arms silently asking to be held. I smile and lift the dark hair lad into my arms.

Skylar smiles back for a second before his face is buried in my neck shyly. "Hi." He whispers cutely.

"Hi." I chuckle.

When we walk down the stairs a marvelous aroma slaps me in the face causing my stomach to roar.

"Smells yummy." Skylar says into the crook of my neck.

I nod in agreement. "Sure does bud."

Scotty lets go of my hand and rockets off into the kitchen squealing, "Mooooommmmmy," all the way.

I'm right there with the boy; eating this amazing smelling food and seeing a cheerful Spencer smile sounds nice.

I chock an eyebrow at myself for thinking that last part but after a moment I shrug and continue on. "Are you ready to eat?" I ask Skylar with a smirk.

He pulls away from my shoulder to nod happily. "Yep!"

I walk into the kitchen, spotting Spencer setting plates on the table that are piled high with delicious looking chicken. I set Skylar on his booster before taking a seat to his left while Spencer sits across from me with Scotty to her left.

"Thank ya, Spence. It looks great, of course." I praise her before digging in.

"You're very welcome." She giggles then full out laughs when a moan my appreciation as I take the first bite. I swear that her food is definitely the best I've ever had including Granny Rose's which is saying something.

A few minutes of silences tick by before I decide to break it. "So what are we watchin' tonight Spence?"

She chortles nervously. "I'm not sure if you'll be too interested but I have The Bride of Frankenstein, House of Usher, House on Haunted Hill, and Nosferatu."

I raise my eyebrows at her in surprise. "All classics, Spence, I'm impressed. Wait what year is House on Haunted Hill?

She beams. "1959 I believe."

I nod in approval. "Hmmm, I love old movies. My mother and I used to watch 'em together all the time. Nobody else liked 'em."

Spencer shakes her head. "I know what you mean. No one at home, not even my brother would sit down and watch with me. Except Brody, but he was a cat so…"

I laugh. "Well, I'll gladly watch 'em with ya."

She just smiles then turns her attention to her blonde haired son as he tugs on her blouse.

After Spencer and I clean and put away the dishes, we all pile up in the living room, which is most empty of boxes, and stretch out on the couch. Well, the boys got to stretch out anyway; Scotty is laid out with his head on his mother's lap and his feet placed on his brother's back while Skylar had his head nestled into my side with his feet resting on his twin's chest.

Once they are comfortable, the older blonde presses play on the remote. I give a little smile when the title of Nosferatu pops up; this was my mama's favorite silent film and mine as well.

We are thirty minutes into the movie when the soft snores of the toddlers reach my ears. I look over at Spencer and she reaches over and pauses the movie. We both grab a boy, taking them upstairs. Once they are tucked in nice and tight we head back and settle down onto the sofa with matching sighs as we both stretch out.

"That's better." I hear Spencer mutter as she curls up like a sleepy house cat. I laugh and stretch my legs out on the couch until my feet are a few inches away from the younger woman's knees.

It's not until halfway through The Bride of Frankenstein that my world falls into a peaceful dreamless sleep, one I haven't had in a long while.

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