Melanie suddenly appeared and began hugging her. Hearing the last of her and Lillian’s conversation, Melanie agreed, “It sure as fuck was. Hey, Daisy. How is Violet?”
Melanie was a force of nature. Of the city. Of a hurricane. Of everything. She was an artist, as yet, fully uncommitted to anything at all in her life. That included her artistic medium, her sexual preference, and city, country or suburban living. Every time Daisy saw Melanie, which wasn’t often since their schedules rarely caught them at home at the same time, Melanie’s entire life had changed. Everything she did seemed different from the last time. She was an incredibly charismatic, likeable and outspoken woman.
But stagnant or mediocre? Never. Variety was Melanie’s life focus.
“Violet’s catatonic. Honestly, I don’t know how else to describe her.”
“She was so young to fall in love. At first, it made me worry, but in so many other ways, I was envious. To love and lose so much at so young an age…” Melanie shuddered.
“She knew exactly what she wanted. Always. There was never a day Violet doubted herself. Preston was her choice. All the way.”
“He really was. I saw them together. I feel lucky now I visited last Christmas and at least got to know him. Promise me you’ll let me know if I can do anything at all or get you anything you guys might need. Anything.” Daisy knew Melanie was erratic, and maybe slightly eccentric but she had a heart as big as the state.
Melanie looked just like her mother, Erin: small, petite and well-proportioned. But where Erin had pitch-black hair, Melanie had soft, reddish-blond hair that was delicate and fine, yet rich in color. Melanie often changed the color of her hair. Today, she was an ashy-blond. Her styles were all over the place too. Daisy doubted she ever saw her cousin with the same “look” twice. She assumed Melanie was still searching for herself. Daisy couldn’t wait to see what she settled on.
There was more drinking and chit-chat and shared misery. It wasn’t a party. That, everyone was clear about. It was a tragic event. Lots of talk about Violet. Everyone there cared and worried about her, the whole family.
Daisy was sipping her third alcoholic drink and taking a moment alone when her gaze finally landed on him. Her heart started beating harder and faster. Her breath caught in her throat. As it always did.
Asher. Asher Reed.
He was also a family member. Technically, Daisy and Asher shared Uncle Jack Rydell and Aunt Erin along with their cousins, Ben, Charlie and Melanie.
Not once did Daisy feel like family with Asher.
Asher was adopted after showing up at the ranch when he was thirteen. Daisy was only eight years old and thought he was the moon. She idolized him as an older kid and as the years passed, he was around a lot. He joined the rest of “them,” the group that included Rose, Lillian, Iris, Violet, Hunter, and her. She was barely included, being the youngest of the bunch. Only a few years older than Silas Starr and Dominick and Eliana Hayes, Daisy could have been the head of that group.
Dominick and Eliana were Caleb and Josefina Hayes’s kids, and their little group also included their cousins, Roman and Rodrigo, after they were adopted by Pedro and Jordan Hayes-Ruiz. Hunter’s little brother, Landon, was part of this group also.
Daisy preferred to tag along with the older kids, which were her sisters mostly.
And Asher.
Asher never paid any attention to Daisy. Never. Not even now. Or the last time she saw him. When was that? Spring break? Now he was here, on this warm, August night, wearing a white t-shirt over his tall, toned chest. His arms were strong, and his muscles showed. But he wasn’t huge or bulky. Just right. Well-defined muscles with a slim physique. His black hair, deeply tanned, olive skin, and bright green eyes made the entire package work for her.
He lifted his head up and scanned the crowd when he happened to find Daisy staring right at him.
He blinked as if he were surprised to recognize her. Then a slow smile slid over his cheeks that reached up to his eyes. Oh, could anyone do a slow-smile like him? she wondered. She felt certain that nobody could. It was like watching an entire journey crossing his face, ending with a spark and a twinkle in his eyes. He had a smooth, easy-going manner. Charming but quiet. The perfect combination in Daisy’s mind. He could be interesting to talk to and be around, without trying to hog the limelight. His quiet, confident authority further enhanced his allure. At least it did between all of them.
A few years ago, Violet and Asher became close. Violet was only a year older than Daisy, but she shared the horse thing with Asher. They both held a deep love and interest in the horses and talked about them constantly. Becoming an equestrian held no appeal to Daisy. Her interest ended with Asher. Though she was only a year older than Daisy, Violet had her life already mapped out. Her self-reliance and poise made Daisy feel like she was years younger than Violet. She even feared for a short time that Violet and Asher would act on the feelings of warmth and friendship that so easily flowed between them. When Violet came home with Preston, Daisy nearly did a back flip. It meant Violet didn’t feel that way about Asher Reed.
Still, no one knew about Daisy’s crush. In all honesty, it was one of her most enduring secrets.
Many accused Daisy of being flaky and indecisive. So what if she changed her mind a lot? It’s a free country so she could think whatever she liked, except she always liked Asher. As she got older, the idol-worship became more of a friendship and eventually evolved into a crush, which was where it remained for years. Daisy was not shy with guys her own age, but she never even hinted her feelings to Asher.
Never. Why? The family bond. Yes. It might have been weird. For a long time, she worried about Violet and Asher getting too close. Then she gathered Asher might really think of all her sisters, and Melanie and Lillian as his “cousins.” He often referred to them as his pack of she-Rydells with a laugh.
Spotting her now, Asher sauntered toward her, something he did not usually do. Naturally, Daisy realized it was based on his concern for her sister. Totally justified. She banished the pang of guilt that shot through her when she wished, just once, Asher was coming over just because of her. But no. This was a trash day. Grief. Heartache. Shock. All around. Of course, Asher was deeply concerned about Violet’s welfare and who better to ask than Violet’s sister?
“How is she?” His voice was calm, deep and soothing. Like the glassy ocean without a breeze or waves. Deep. Silent. Still. That’s how Asher carried himself.
“She’s awful.”
“Has she spoken to you?”
“Small things. She barely makes eye contact and sleeps all the time. She doesn’t come out of her room.”
He shook his head. “Damn. Just… damn. God, what she witnessed—”
“You were there?”
“Right there.” He winced. “I can hardly get it out of my head. It replays in a loop. All the time. Drives me crazy. And I only liked the guy. I didn’t love him. I can’t imagine what she’s going through.”
“A lot. Too much. Way too much for someone her age.”
Asher was right there talking to her. Probably because he spotted her first and not Rose or Iris. It wasn’t that he actively ignored her or had some kind of aversion to her; no, it was more like he felt nothing toward her. If she were there, fine. If not? Meh, no worries for him. That was entirely the vibe he gave when he saw her. In contrast, he seemed to always have smiles, jokes, concern and care for Violet. That was why Daisy expected them to get together at some point. But Violet never regarded Asher as anything other than a cousin. For real. Like she believed he actually was.