Beyond the Pine (8 page)

Asher

I’ve only met a few of the people inside this community, so it doesn’t surprise me when I don’t know who he is. What
does
surprise me is Riley’s reaction to him.

It doesn’t escape my notice that the moment Riley sets her eyes on this Tobias guy, she seizes up. I chalk it up to her incessant fear of the two of us being found out. I know it’s a source of great anxiety for her, so I understand.

I get it, but I’m not a fan.

“What are you doing in here?” he asks, his voice breaking my thoughts as his eyebrows scrunch together in concern.

“Nothing,” she replies, immediately shaking her head in denial. “We weren’t doing anything.”

“Okay,” he says quietly, his eyes darting between the two of us for a moment before they fall on her again. “Are you alright? You seem upset.”

“I’m fine,” she blurts, her voice gently shaking.

“Are you sure?” he asks, taking a step closer to her, lowering his voice to keep his words from me. “Riley, you look like you’ve been crying?”

“No,” she denies, her expression softening as she tries to steady her voice. “Thank you for your concern, but really, I’m fine, Tobias. You just startled me, that’s all.”

“Oh,” he nods, noticeably relaxing. “Well, I’m sorry for that. It wasn’t my intent.”

“Of course not,” she says quietly, her voice soft. “Brother Tobias, did you bring any clean water from the well?”

“Yes,” he nods, returning her smile as he gestures over his shoulder. “It’s right over there. Please help yourself.”

“Thank you,” she nods politely. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m not feeling very well. I think I need a moment to rest, get a drink.”

“Certainly,” he offers, watching her go before turning to face me again.

As we stand awkwardly in the clearing of the stable, both our thoughts no doubt on Riley. While he gives me a sideways glance, uncertainty staining his features, I can tell we’re not thinking the same thing.

I’m concerned for her behavior, he’s concerned for her safety.

A part of me wonders as his eyes narrow up at me if I should be offended, but I brush it away immediately. I know I’d never do a thing to harm Riley. I’d die first, but my gruff, calloused exterior doesn’t exactly lend itself to a nurturing vibe.

Once I’m sure she’s out of earshot, I face him, clearing my throat.

“We were talking about her mother,” I lie easily, watching his features begin to soften in understanding. “She’s fine, she was just a little emotional about it.”

“That makes sense,” he nods, releasing a low sign of regret as he pulls his hat off, revealing his dark hair and youthful features before replacing the cap to his head. “It was hard on all of us when her mother passed. She was a beacon of light in this community, just like Riley.”

Although his words hold no malice, I can’t help but linger on them. Riley’s pure, I’d known that the moment I’d first set eyes on her, but there’s something off about the way he speaks to her... looks at her.

Like he’s got some kind of claim on her.

As she returns to us slowly, her eyes move cautiously between us, lingering on mine, erasing my self-doubt. Once she comes to a stop between us, she releases a low, solemn sigh, keeping her eyes on the ground beneath her feet.

“Well, I suppose I should get going,” Tobias offers, tipping his hat to us both and giving her a soft smile. “I’ll see you at church tomorrow, Riley.”

“Yes,” she smiles, swallowing hard. “Be blessed, Tobias.”

“And you,” he nods politely before his eyes fall on mine. “Will you be joining us, Mr. Reed?”

“Asher doesn’t...”

“Sure,” I cut her off. “If I plan on sticking around, I may want to stop in for service in the morning.”

I only have time to process her odd expression for a moment before its gone, replaced with a tight, nervous smile.

“Okay, I’ll see you both there, then,” Tobias smiles, moving toward the door and pulling our attention from each other. “Have you seen my father, Riley?”

“No, I’m sorry I haven’t,” she admits, shaking her head.

“Oh, okay,” he nods, giving her an odd look. “Well, he’ll probably be here shortly. He mentioned stopping by the stables this morning.”

Riley nods gently, watching him as he pulls the door shut behind him, leaving us alone. I release a low breath of relief, expecting her to do the same as I close the distance between us, already feeling the loss of her touch.

“That was close, huh?” I smirk, attempting to lighten the mood as I move my hand to take hers. “Are you okay? What did you want to talk to me...?”

“Asher, we have to go back to the infirmary,” she cuts me off, her voice climbing into one of panic as she grabs my arm. “Right now.”

“Why?” I ask, not understanding her panicked reaction. “Baby, he doesn’t know anything.”

“Yes, Asher,” she says, meeting my eyes, fully revealing her full fear for the first time. “Yes, he does. That’s why he warned me.”

“What? How?” I scoff, disbelief staining my voice. “Besides, even if he was warning you, why would that matter? As far as he knows, we weren’t doing anything.”

“That doesn’t matter,” she shakes her head, grabbing my arm and desperately trying to pull me toward the door.

“Riley, listen to me,” I start, gently pulling her around to face me, keeping my voice soft. “I don’t know what’s going on, but we need to talk. Whatever upset you seemed serious.”

“Asher, I know what you’re trying to do and thank you,” she manages. “But Reverend Tucker can’t find us here together. My being alone with another man is a sin,” she continues, her words throwing up a red flag.
Another man?
“We have to go. Right now.”

“Wait... what does that mean?” I start, not understanding as she swallows hard. “Riley...”

“Asher, please!” she begs, her voice leaving her in a choked whisper. “I know I owe you an explanation, much more even, but I’m sorry, I just can’t give those things to you. Not right now.”

Seeing her emotions begin to take over her again is enough for me to shake my own insecurities, focusing on her instead.

“Shh,” I whisper, pressing my lips to her forehead, watching her noticeably calm as I slip my hand around hers. “We’ll talk later?”

“Yes,” she nods, swiping her cheeks. “Yes, Asher, I promise.

“Okay,” I sigh, watching her features begin to soften. “Okay, let’s go.”

“Thank you,” she breathes, turning to face the exit and leading us out.

As she reaches for the heavy, wooden door, I release her hand, holding it open for her. When I see her glance up at me, I smile as I see the relief slowly filling her features.

She turns to secure the door behind us, her hands still shaking slightly but slowly starting to calm.

She’s finally returning to herself as the latch catches, but the feeling is short lived.

The moment she rounds the corner leading us to the dirt road that will take us back toward the infirmary, she comes to a halt.

Raising my eyes, I see why she stopped.

“Oh!” she gasps, grabbing her chest in surprise as he stares down at her for a moment before his eyes move to me, still standing behind her. “Reverend!”

His gaze is cold, calculated as he looks over her with silent judgment. Although not a single word has been spoken, I immediately understand her fear.

I don’t know what it is about him, but something about the man standing in front of me makes one thing obvious.

The Reverend can’t be trusted.

Riley

The moment I see him, I know we’ve been caught.

The Reverend doesn’t say anything, but the look of disdain in his eyes say more than his words ever could.

His disappointed gaze lingers on me for a moment before he clears his throat and moves his eyes behind me, letting them fall on Asher.

He takes in his gruff exterior, judgment clouding his eyes for a moment before it quickly falls away, revealing his usual, calm demeanor.

“Hello, Sister Riley,” he says, his rich, Southern tone laced with suspicion. He glances between us, his eyes scrutinizing our closeness until I shift uncomfortably away from Asher. “It seems a little early for a trip to the stables. What brought the two of you here on this blessed day?”

I know I should say something, anything, but the fear coursing through me makes speech an impossibility. Not only that, I could never tell the Reverend what my true intent was for bringing Asher here.

Fortunately, I don’t have to.

“My bike,” Asher says simply, his deep, gravelly voice simultaneously calming me as it sends chills up my spine. “I’d mentioned to Riley I wanted to have another look today, but she was worried about me coming on my own. I’m mostly healed up, but still having a little weakness here and there.”

“Well, time does heal all things,” he nods, still cutting his eyes between us in disbelief, but withholding his true thoughts for the time being. “Fortunately, Sister Riley is an amazing caretaker. We’re truly blessed to have her,” he continues, giving him a tight smile as his eyes return to mine yet again. “I’m wondering if you’re not spending too much time at the infirmary, Sister. Perhaps I should temporarily relieve you of your work assignments altogether so that you may properly reflect on your truth?” he smirks darkly, his eyes darting to Asher before he looks down at me again. “I’d hate for your duties in the infirmary to become a distraction, plague you with more darkness.”

His words are dripping with a false sense of good intention, but there’s no way I could miss the thinly veiled threat lingering there. While I’d always felt loved here on the farm, that feeling had been fleeting lately. I’d always felt like this was my home, but after my confrontation with the Reverend, I’d never felt more out of place.

Now, the only place that felt like home was the man standing behind me.

The man the Reverend was threatening to take me away from before I was ready.

“Reverend Tucker, that’s a very gracious offer,” I try, finally finding my voice. “However, with all due respect, I don’t think it’s necessary. My time in the infirmary has been very enlightening and my evenings have been full of prayer and reflection,” I say low. “I understand now where I faltered before. I appreciate your counsel.”

He studies my features for a long while, his lips quirking up on either side after a moment before spreading into a wide, sinister grin.

“Very good,” he beams, offering me a curt nod of silent understanding. “That’s very good news, Sister. News I’m eager to share with the congregation tomorrow morning, along with some other very pleasant announcements. I hope you haven’t forgotten about that?”

Despite my heartbreak at his words, I keep my forced smile in place, never allowing it to waiver.

“Of course not,” I whisper, swallowing hard in an attempt to hide my sadness. “Thank you.”

“Sister Riley,” Asher says low, reminding me of his presence as the Reverend continues to stare down at me. “I’m feeling a little lightheaded. Would you mind...?”

“Of course,” I nod, pulling my eyes away from Reverend Tucker, hating the feel of his dissecting stare on us. “Reverend, it was nice talking to you. Be bless...”

“Actually, Sister Riley,” he cuts me off, moving closer to put distance between Asher and I. “I’m glad I ran into the two of you this morning. I’ve been meaning to have a talk with Brother Asher, but when I stopped by the infirmary yesterday, you’d taken him for a walk,” he continues, looking between us before holding my gaze. “If it’s all the same to you, I’d like a few moments alone with him. I’ll be sure to get him back to the infirmary, good as new, when we’re done.”

I stare back at them, unsure of what to do or say for a moment although I know what’s expected of me. For some reason, my heart sinks at the idea of leaving Asher alone with him.

For the first time in my life, I don’t feel safe.

When my eyes fall on Asher’s, he gives me a small, nearly indiscernible nod. While I can’t say I feel weightless, I do know that he can feel the fear coursing through me and he’s telling me he’ll be okay.

After what seems like an eternity, but is likely only a few seconds, I force another smile to my lips and give the Reverend a polite nod.

“Of course, Reverend,” I say quietly, hating the sinking feeling in my chest as I take a step away from the entrance to the stables.

“Perfect,” he nods, taking a step closer to both Asher and the entrance. “Sister Rachel could use some attention and I think Sister Rebecca is a little too overwhelmed at the infirmary to make it to the main house today. Would you mind stopping in to check on her for me?”

“Certainly,” I accept, knowing I don’t have a choice.

“Thank you, Sister,” he smirks. “Be blessed.”

Looking over my shoulder, I find the Reverend pushing the door open, gently coaxing Asher inside. I give him a look of apology stained with regret as his eyes hold mine, the longing in them mirroring the emotions moving through my chest.

“Be blessed, Asher,” I say quietly.

“And you,” he replies before disappearing into the worn, wooden building.

The words leave his lips so low I’m forced to wonder if I really even heard them at all or if I simple prayed hard enough for his voice that it came.

I quickly find that it doesn’t matter at all, though.

In the next moment, the door swings shut and he’s gone.