Page 68 of Mystery in the Mountains

“Ummm . . . I was thinking I would paint.”

“He knows that . . . He’s just being an ass.”

Abe raised an eyebrow, and the corner of his lip turned up.

That’s about as good as it got from him.

“The chairs are set up out back. There are five. I figured stain one, paint two a solid color and then you could work your magic on the other two,” Abe said.

“That works.” Asher nodded.

“I can paint the solid color ones,” Sunny offered, feeling helpful.

“Come with me. I’ll get you set up.”

After a while, she was out on the back patio of the workshop painting rocking chairs with Asher. He was busy masterfully covering one in colorful swirls and celestial patterns, while she painted hers green. But she was glad to be helping.

“Phew, it’s getting hot,” Sunny said as she wiped her brow.

The sun was high in the sky, and it was almost June. It was hard to believe she’d been here that long. It was almost summer on the mountain, her favorite time of year.

“Are you guys hungry?” Julie strolled over with a picnic basket and a big jug of something.

“Starving,” Asher replied as he took the bandana out of his back pocket and wiped his brow.

Julie set the basket on the table they had out back, and Abe came and joined them. They all sat down to sandwiches, potato chips, and sweet tea. Not fancy but perfect.

“Thanks for doing this,” Sunny said.

“Oh, it’s no problem. I do it all the time.” She smiled up at Abe, who slid his arm around her and looked down at her with an expression she’d never seen.

Julie was a lucky woman. Anyone with the devotion of one of these men was a lucky woman.

She glanced up at Asher, who was looking down at her. The corner of his mouth turned up before he took a bite of his sandwich.

For such an ordinary moment, it felt incredible. The breeze from the mountain came down and made the magic of this place swirl around them.

Sunny closed her eyes, and when she opened them, she could see kids running around in the woods, the wind carrying their laughter. And as the breeze died down, so did the laughter, and the children vanished like wisps.

“You okay?” Asher asked quietly in her ear.

“Perfect.”

Having visions could feel like a curse, but little moments like this, little glimpses into the future, made it all worthwhile.

“Okay,” Julie said, packing up. “I usually pick Ruby up from school before I have to head into the diner, but it’s piano day. Can you pick her up from piano?”

Abe checked his watch with a crease between his brows. “I was going to head into Masonville to pick up some supplies, but I can do it tomorrow.”

“No, we can get her, right? We’re almost done with the rockers,” Sunny said as she looked up at Asher with a questioning look.

He nodded.

“Perfect. Just bring her to the diner when you’re done. I can feed her there.”

And at that, Julie packed up the basket and headed back to the workshop.

“I’ll finish up the painting if you want to clean up,” Asher said.

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