Page 94 of One Little Lie
“Halton Westbrook.” I can tell by her voice I’m about to be reprimanded. “How could you say that? You are all your father’s sons. You may not like the same things your brothers do, but that’s what makes you, you. No one ever expected you all to be carbon copies of each other. I would be sad if you hadn’t all found your own way.”
I’m about to argue when the door to the trailer Ash is staying in swings open, and he drags out a thirty-gallon barrel.
What the hell is he doing?
I put the SUV into park just as Sadie spies Ashton on the steps.
“Uncle Ash! Uncle Ash! Oh, he’s goin’ be so ’cited, Nanna Sylvie. So ’cited to see me,” she squeals.
Jesus, I hope she’s right.
I take one last peek at her in the mirror. If ever there was a ray of sunshine in human form, it would be Sadie Foster. Stepping out of the car, I head toward Ash while Sylvie goes to the back to unbuckle Sadie Sunshine.
“What the hell happened here?”
Ash ignores me and walks to the side of the trailer, where my jaw drops. He has the door of a dumpster open, and he walks the barrel inside and dumps it. Glancing around in shock, I realize he’s dumping computer screens, a TV, and a chair that’s been shredded.
“Is this all the shit from inside of your trailer?”
“I had some stuff to work out,” he grumbles just as Sadie Sunshine comes barreling around the corner.
As if he’s expecting her, he lowers himself to catch her just as she propels her little body into his arms.
He stands with her on his hip, and she places two tiny hands on either side of his face and squeezes his cheeks together, so his lips pucker out. I see a hint of pain flash in his eyes, but he doesn’t tell her to stop. Instead, he stands and allows her to scrutinize his face up close and personal.
“Hi, Uncle Ash. Miss me?”
Ash nods his head, and she grins, twisting in his arms to call over her shoulder. “See, Nanna Sylvie? I told ya. He’s so ’cited to see me.”
Her pudgy, little face turns back around, blonde curls bouncing with the movement. “Your booboos is looking so much better, Uncle Ash.”
He flinches as she leans in and places a big, messy kid kiss on his cheek. Right over his scar. “Feels better?”
“Yeah, Sadie Sunshine. Feels better,” he whispers as my mom comes up beside me with tears in her eyes.
I’m suddenly very understanding of her insistence on bringing the beautiful, little girl. All Ash can see through his pain is darkness and evil. Sadie is the antithesis of both.
She clears her throat, and I know Sylvie Westbrook is about to lay down the law. I can feel it in my bones. I feel like I’m twelve years old again, and we’re about to have our asses handed to us.
“Ashton, Sadie is your new Friday night date. Indefinitely.”
Ashton raises his head and blinks a few times, like he is unsure of what he just heard. I cross my arms and try not to smirk. My mother has never gone for subtle.
“Seth and Ari are in a good place, but they need some alone time as well to explore their relationship further. So, as long as you’re planning to stay in Vermont, I volunteered you to pick up Miss Sadie Sunshine every Friday at six p.m. and drop her off back at home at ten a.m. on Saturday mornings.”
She brushes her hands together like that’s final and turns on her heel.
I can see Ashton’s mouth moving, but no words come out.
“Isn’t that so fun, Uncle Ash? I loves sleepovers. Do you have a bed for me here? I have a sleepin’ bag with all my favorite princesses on it if you don’t.”
Ash’s eyes go wide as he realizes our mother is about to enter the trailer. After what I just saw, I have a feeling there is nothing left inside. With a pointed stare at Ash, I jog to catch up with my mom.
“You know, it might be better if Ash stays at the lodge with Sadie for now. His trailer isn’t really set up for kids.”
He’s caught up to us now, still carrying Sadie. That kid is like a koala bear. I don’t think he could put her down if he tried.
“I-I don’t know how to b-babysit,” he stutters.
