Page 12 of Asher's Assignment
“Es—”
“I’m fine. Put your pregnancy hormones away and stop worrying. I’ll keep my phone and my pepper spray close tonight. I’ll even lock my bedroom door if it’ll make you feel better.”
“It would.”
“Then I will.”
Edie let out a long sigh, then a soft growl. “Fine. I can’t promise I won’t still worry, but I’ll stay off of an airplane.”
Esther chuckled. “Good. Our parents do live just a few miles away. I can always call them, you know.”
“It’s not the same.”
Esther’s laughter rang louder. “I think I like this side of you. It’s slightly unhinged, which is wholly unlike you and fun to watch.”
“Laugh it up. One day, it’ll be you. And trust me, I will return the favor.”
“I know.” Esther grinned. “Now, I’m going to take myself upstairs and try to shake off this excitement so I can sleep. You should do the same. Your baby needs the rest.”
Edie rolled her eyes. “Then maybe he or she should stop waking me up to pee every five minutes. I swear, it’s like someone flipped a switch. Since I took that test the other day and found out I was pregnant, all the symptoms have come out to play.”
“Maybe you’re just recognizing them now.”
“Could be.” Edie shrugged. “All right. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. If anything weird happens?—”
“I will call the police.”
“Good. Be careful, little sister.”
“Yep. Love you, Edie.”
“Love you too.”
Esther waved and disconnected the call. Closing the lid, she frowned and peeked outside again. It would be more than “excitement” she shook off upstairs. That entire situation had given her a serious case of the willies.
Five
Asher rubbed at his eyes, trying to bring some moisture back to them. He’d been in front of his computer screen far too long today. But after he finished his normal work for the day, he’d attacked Edie’s sister’s case again. He still couldn’t find Leah Tyler’s real father. All he’d learned was that Connie Tyler didn’t exist before Leah was born. Whoever she was, she’d covered her tracks well.
He hadn’t told Edie that yet. Until he had more information, he didn’t want to worry her. Stress wasn’t good for pregnant women. And with the way she’d been acting Wednesday, he wouldn’t put it past her to get on a plane and fly home to Oregon. She needed to stay here, out of danger.
A low buzz filled the room. Asher blinked, then frowned as the noise penetrated his thoughts. One quick look at his security monitors revealed Edie standing on his doorstep again. This time, Jordan was with her.
Disquiet unfurled in his belly. He glanced at his watch. It was late. Something must have happened.
Pushing away from his desk, he hurried to answer the door.
It only took a quick glimpse at her face for the disquiet to sink into unease. “What happened?”
“Something weird is going on up there.” Edie pushed past him and entered the house.
Jordan chewed on the corner of his lip, his hands stuffed in his pockets, and gave Asher a look of concern as he followed his wife inside.
“Weird how?” Asher shut the door.
“Some guy was standing outside her house this evening, staring at her.”
Asher frowned, his gaze going to Jordan, who nodded, then back to Edie. “What? Did she call the police?”
