Page 10 of April is for Asher

"Nothing is too much for our baby's safety. I'm not hurting for money, and I'd rather spend it on our child than myself."

"You know, I wouldn't think running a refuge would pay that much," I say, turning to face him.

Laughing, he shakes his head as he leans against the door frame.

"It doesn't. But I am a vet for large animals and that pays well. Before I settled here, I worked the rodeo circuit. I lived in a travel trailer and my expenses were minimal, traveling with the rodeo, so I saved up."

These are things you would think you'd know before having a baby with someone, but it's nice to know now. Before getting ready to leave his office, I take a look around when something on his desk catches my eye. Curiously, I walk over and pick up the stack of papers.

"What's this?" I ask. I’m staring in surprise at listings of townhouses in Billings.

"When I come visit the baby on the weekends, I have to have someplace to stay. It’s more sensible than staying in a hotel. I didn't think you'd want me in your space. Besides, it's there if you need it too since you are renting," he shrugs. Like it’s no big deal, but it' a very big deal. It's something you do when you are planning on a permanent change.

I don't say anything because I don't know what to say as I follow him.

"This is a spare room so we can store anything you want in here and it can be your space to do whatever. I have some stuff in the closet, but otherwise, it's all yours." He opens the bedroom door on the right, which is pretty empty other than a bookcase and a few of my boxes.

Further into the hall, he opens the bathroom door and steps back. It's bigger than my primary bath in my old place, but there is no bathtub.

“This bathroom is all yours, but if you want to have a bath, I have a clawfoot tub in my room. When I was building this cabin, Ruby insisted it would be a good way to attract a wife. If you won’t tell anyone, I’ll admit I’ve used it a few times myself.”

“Who’s Ruby?” I ask, thinking he’s so blatantly talking about an ex-girlfriend, or hell, a current one for all I know.

“She’s the mayor’s wife and runs the Mercantile in town. But she’s the town busybody and the one who put up the ad you saw. She likes to think of herself as mine and the guy’s surrogate grandmother. Even though she drives us crazy, at the end of the day we’d do anything for her.”

Moving down the hall, he opens another door. “This is your bedroom. If you need to change or move anything, just let me know and I will make it happen. My room is the door at the end of the hallway. Why don’t you get settled while I make something for to eat? Do you have anything particular you’d like for dinner?”

“Well, I’ve got this craving for a grilled cheese,” I moan. Once I say it out loud, the craving is so strong I can taste it, making my mouth water.

“You’re in luck because I make a mean grilled cheese. While you relax and get settled, I will make dinner,” he says. Smiling, he leaves the room, closing the door behind him.

My suitcases are on the bed, so I start there and unpack my clothes, putting them in the dresser. Finally, there’s a soft knock on the door and Asher lets me know dinner is ready.

I don't know how much time has gone by, but I’m starving and my stomach is growling. When I see what he’s laid out for me, I’m surprised. Not only is there a plate with grilled cheese sandwiches on the table, but a tray of French fries and a small salad. The table is set, and I’m ready to eat.

He pulls out a chair for me and I sit down, my eyes running over everything on the table in front of me.

"Go ahead and eat all you want. There are leftovers in the fridge from the other night if you’re still hungry." He says, nodding toward the grilled cheese.

My eyes go wide. There is enough food here to feed me for a week. I’m not even sure that I’ll be able to finish even one grilled cheese sandwich. It's the biggest grilled cheese I've ever seen. Plus, I don't know if I can even open my mouth wide enough for a bite because it's so thick.

Still, I take one and place it on my plate, along with some fries and ketchup. Then I make a small salad in the bowl he provided before reaching for my sandwich.

He watches me take a bite of the sandwich, and when I say it melts in my mouth, that doesn't even begin to describe it.

"Mm, this is the best grilled cheese I think I've ever had," I say once I've swallowed my first bite.

A huge smile crosses his face.

"I use five different cheeses and garlic butter on the bread. It's a cowboy staple from my rodeo days." He says, taking a big bite himself.

As we eat, we talk about the plans for this weekend and what our schedules for the coming week are like. Then he tells me about the refuge and how he can get calls at all hours of the night. But he assures me it's only been about once a month he gets a really late night call.

"What if you get a call and you can't get there?" I ask.

"There is a vet in town. Though she normally does small animals, she has helped out in a pinch. Also, there are a few other vets nearby who have volunteered their time and they are on the call list, too."

That makes me feel a bit better that he won't be chained to the refuge. But still, the refuge seems like it can take a lot of his time.

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