More Than A Favor

Chapter 31

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Hearing the call, I tossed my phone aside and called back, “Coming!”

With that, I kicked off my shoes and shuffled to the door in my slippers. The moment I opened it, I spotted Ashton filling water buckets in the courtyard,

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Several white buckets were lined up in a row. As he filled each one, he lifted them effortlessly, his muscles clearly visible even through his shirt. Every movement radiated pure strength and power.

“Why are you filling so many buckets? Are we getting a water outage?” I asked, walking over.

Chloe shot me a disapproving look, silently scolding me about my casual slippers. Ashton didn’t answer, but Chloe jumped in, “Just being prepared,

in case.”

She patted Ashton and said, “I’m making chicken soup tonight. You two should go get some free–range chickens for me. And grab some cilantro and green onions while you’re at it.” This was obviously a set–up to get us talking. Looking at my oversized slippers, I realized they weren’t exactly appropriate. But going back to change now would just make everything more awkward.

“Go change your shoes,” Ashton said matter–of–factly.

I laughed it off. “It’s fine, really.”

Ashton didn’t say anything else and started walking toward the gate.

winked at me, urging me to follow, before calling out, “Ashton, wait up

in my slippers. They were comfortable, sure, but definitely not right for the

stopped and asked point–blank, “I heard

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directness left me speechless,

phrase it that way? This guy sure didn’t beat around the

bush.

I looked up at him, taking the opportunity to really study his face for the first time. His features were sharp and defined, with deep–set eyes and strong brows. His lips were perfectly proportioned – not too thin, not too thick,

more handsome than Logan,

say not to judge a book by its cover. But let’s be real–who doesn’t check out someone’s face when they first meet? It’s not

military. Now, I’m…” Ashton had started

kid, maybe seventeen or eighteen, called out. He even whistled and gave me

your taxi?” I asked after the

with someone who owned the

a thing for widows?” I

darkened. “No.”

this made me realize I’d developed some serious trauma. I was actually pretty sensitive and fragile, though nobody ever seemed to

he answered simply.

was almost a marriage. My

make my position clear. Chloe’s suggestion