Chapter 18
Ainsley
Harper left for home a few hours after the funeral service. Their shoebox-sized dorm room suddenly felt like a grand hall. She supposed life had been so chaotic that the current silence—the calm—was unnerving instead of tranquil.
Ainsley should be excited; Christmas was her favorite time of the year—at least it used to be. The break was much needed. So much had happened; she could barely process it all. Besides, it would give her time to regroup and search their apartment for anything her dad might’ve left behind. It wouldn’t be out of character for him to have a few hiding spots, maybe in the drop ceiling above the toilet or a loose board in the closet floor. She was quickly learning that people had more secrets than she’d ever suspected.
She’d planned on her mom coming down with her uncle, but she’d texted a few hours ago, saying she’d come down with the flu. Ainsley wondered how much truth there was to the story—and if her mother just didn’t want to sit in the car with her for two hours, making small talk. Pretending that this Christmas was going to be great, like in years past, would be too much for both of them—it could never be the same again.
Ainsley was already dreading the quick, uncomfortable hug when she reunited with her mom.
It was obvious that things were changing rapidly around Thanksgiving. She’d claimed she had too much homework to come home for the long weekend, and her mom hadn’t protested. There had even been a hint of relief between them, knowing they could skip the first major holiday without her dad at home.
Her mom was changing everything. Christmas this year was going to be an extended family affair, unlike the small ones they’d celebrated with just the three of them. No, the entire extended family got invites this time.
Anything so her mom wouldn’t have to be alone with Ainsley, pretending things were fine.
“I’m sorry I got so sidetracked, Dad.”
She’d never spoken directly out loud to him before. But then again, she hadn’t had much alone time or privacy at Ashcroft to do so either. She remembered what Ava and Khourtney had said about ghosts—spirits—being real. If there was any chance that he could hear her, she wanted to try.
“Incredible news, Dad. Witches and magic actually exist, and Danvers is full of them. Funny thing too, I’m somehow immune to most of their magic. Yep, you heard right. Non-witch people are supposed to be fully susceptible to magic, but it doesn’t work on me. No one seems to know why. Did you get close to finding out about the coven? Because I’ve been thinking, what if it has something to do with the missing girls? If it does, I promise you I’m going to find out what. I’m going to figure out why you left because I know you wouldn’t have ever chosen to leave me and Mom.”
Tears welled up, burning her eyes. Ainsley wiped them with the back of her hand, willing them to stop so she wouldn’t have to explain her swollen eyes and blotchy skin to her uncle. “I saw your face that night, Dad. Your eyes. I know you didn’t want to jump.” She stopped there, her throat too thick and achy to continue.
She blew a kiss into the air above her and glanced at the clock. Shit. Her uncle would be there any minute, and she didn’t want him killing time chatting up the den mother. She loved sharing the local gossip, students’ lives included.
Grabbing her duffel bag, jacket, and scarf, Ainsley did a once over around her room. Everything was in its place, neat and tidy—as if the last three months of her life hadn’t been a whirlwind. A picture of the three of them sat on her nightstand, a constant reminder of the family she’d lost.
She’d posed between her smiling parents, their arms around her. She had been oblivious to so much in the world and to the fact that it was all about to be torn apart.
It had been taken six months before he died. Her mom had insisted they wear matching outfits. Her dad wouldn’t stop making fun of her, giving her bunny ears and telling his worst corny dad jokes every time the photographer was about to take another shot. They’d had so much fun.
What she wouldn’t give to see her mom smile like that again. She wanted to be the reason. “It’s going to be fine,” Ainsley said aloud to an empty room.
Maybe her mom truly was sick, and she’d greet Ainsley with open arms, a kiss on her cheek, and a few presents under the tree. Maybe she’d insist that his death wasn’t Ainsley’s fault after all.
She was going to do her best to make it right. She’d prove that he hadn’t left them by choice. Maybe then her mother could heal.
With a deep breath, she turned off the light, closing the door behind her.
The End
Author’s Note
Thank you for reading Wilde Abandon, Book 3 in the Ashcroft Academy Series! Look for book 4, Wilde Fury, coming soon.
xo K.M.
Acknowledgments
I am filled with so much gratitude and love.
This is book 3 and I need to thank many of the same people! So, my sincerest thanks again to my incredible family, especially to my husband, Jason, my parents, Chris and Laurie, my sister, Kristin, my niece, Mckenna, and my nephew, Braeden. Thank you to my aunts (Pam, Stacey, Cheri, and Diane) who always share my social media posts, read my books, and tell their friends that they should too. I appreciate it more than you know. Thank you to my cousins who support me in the same ways.
Thank you to my critique partners and writing friends—Bee Wheatley, Deana Holmes, Tiana Warner, Lindsay Macgowan, Ashley Reiter, and Deborah Pearce for listening to rough chapters, reading early drafts, and letting me talk out plot problems with you and for supplying the most delicious snacks when we get together.
Thank you to Cara Anderson for your wisdom and teachings. You always have my back and I am forever grateful.
Thank you to my friend, writing partner, and sounding board, Eileen Cook, for being an incredible mentor, but more, for being such an amazing friend.
Thank you to my friend and writing partner, Steena Holmes, for your support, guidance, and generosity. I appreciate everything you do for me.
I want to thank Deana (Dee J) Holmes for creating gorgeous covers for books 1-3 in the Ashcroft Academy Series. Your talent knows no bounds.
Thank you to my editor, Jamie Hillegonds, who is a word genius, and so patient with all my questions. Thank you for being a great teacher.
And finally, thank you, dear readers. You mean everything to me. You are the reason I write. I hope I can continue to create characters want to spend time with.
Wilde Abandon (Ashcroft Academy Book 3) Page 16
