Anchor of Hope by Kiah Stephens Read Free Book Online Page B

as well do it while I've got the time.”
    There was a slight pause.
    “Have you thought any more about what I asked you the other night? About moving in?”
    “I have. I mean I’ve thought about it, but I'm still not sure. It's a pretty big step.”
    “We pretty much live together as it is. I don't get why you can't commit.” He sounded annoyed, angry even.
    Ashley was taken aback by his tone.
    “It's not like we're getting married or anything.”
    “I know, I know. It's just, something doesn't feel right about it.”
    Steven laughed through the phone. “That's a terrible excuse. No offence, but something doesn't feel right' doesn't even make sense. Facts do, and the fact is, it makes way more sense for us to be living together than paying for separate apartments.”
    Why is he pushing so hard?
    “I'll think about it.” It was the best she could do.
    “Don't think about it, just do it. If you spend too long thinking about things you’ll end up missing the opportunity.”
    “What's that supposed to mean?” Now she was beginning to feel annoyed.
    Steven didn't respond.
    “Steven?”
    “Nothing. I shouldn't have even said it. Take all the time you need. I told you I'd wait until you got back, so that's what I'll do.”
    A million thoughts were racing through Ashley’s mind. One second he was angry and demanding, the next he was sweet and trying to be patient. It seemed hypocritical that he could claim that she couldn't commit to moving in with him, yet he couldn't he commit to marry her. Why was one action totally acceptable to him, yet the other was completely unacceptable?
    “Are you mad? I'm sorry, I don't want to fight.” Steven spoke again. “I get these ideas and want everything to go according to plan and usually they do, so I don't know how to deal when I can't get what I want. Guess that's something I'll have to learn to get used to, huh?”
    Ashley softened. He was pushy—she knew that—but at least he was trying. “With me? Oh yeah.” She laughed.
    “Good to hear you laugh. I better let you go, and finish this packing.”
    “OK, I love you,” Ashley said.
    “You too,” he replied and hung up.
    She sat there, staring at her phone. It was difficult to tell Steven how she was feeling. He had always been easy to offend.  She had learnt to be pleasant, friendly, and often suppressed her own desires and emotions to gain the approval of others, —especially Steven. He encouraged her to think logically and not to let emotions or feelings get in the way when making decisions, something she’d struggled with. He often dismissed anything she said that began with “I feel like...”. She knew he loved her and she could rely on him, even if he wasn't overly romantic . He just liked to do things his own way.
    She lay back on the jetty and squinted up at the sky. It was a stunning azure, not a cloud in sight. The conversation had left her feeling unsettled. Watching her parents’ marriage, and her brother’s, had shown her that although the males were clearly the heads of the homes, they not only valued their partner’s feelings, but took them  into consideration. Perhaps that would come with time, and she would have to be patient with Steven.
    “There you are, Ashley.” Jane appeared on the grassy bank. “I’m heading into town to get some things. Do you need anything from the store?”
    Ashley shook her head and waved a dismissing hand.
       “OK, see you in a bit.”
     
    The house was filled with a delicious aroma of Jane’s pot roast as Grace and Henry, her paternal grandparents, arrived at around 6 p.m. Being summer, the sun was still quite high in the sky.
    Ashley went outside to welcome them as they arrived. Henry was still driving his old 1961 Chevrolet Impala. It was a classic—baby blue paint with white trim, and well maintained, even after all these years.
    “Hi, Gran,” she said, strolling down the front steps to give her grandmother a hug. Grace was a tall woman,