Ashlyn's Radio by Norah Wilson, Heather Doherty Page B

confrontation any time soon.
    With a smile, Ashlyn stepped on the paths of oval rugs across her room. Not wanting Maudette to hear the scraping on the floor, she lifted the chair from her mother’s old desk rather than dragging it to the closet. Ashlyn climbed up to reach the top shelf at the back of her closet to get what she needed. A minute later, she’d stuffed her sheets into the pair of old flannel long-johns and set the semi-Ashlyn-shaped, headless dummy down on the bed.
    Okay, that creeped her out.
    She dug out her Toronto Blue Jays tuque from the winter clothes she’d yet to unpack. Balling up a favorite hoodie, she stuffed it into the tuque, filling it out into something vaguely head-shaped. She laid the Ashlyn head on the pillow, covered the whole contrivance with her blankets, then stood back to survey her handiwork.
    “Not too bad if I do say so myself.”
    It was good enough to fool Maudette at any rate. Not that her grandmother was likely to be popping in to wish her sweet dreams this, or any other, night … but just in case. If she happened to look in, she’d be getting the cold shoulder of silence.
    The window slid up soundlessly; the screen lifted out with ease. Admonishing herself not to look down, she leaned out and took the leap. The branch bent under her weight but held. Good maple. Strong maple. Clinging tight to the branch, she made her way closer to the tree’s trunk. From there, she was able to climb down a few more branches until she was close enough to jump from the tree. Releasing her grip, she landed on her feet with a knee-buckling thump.
    She straightened and started jogging through the back yard. She was just congratulating herself on her cleverness when a dog started barking.
    Oh no!
    “Lolly-Pup, hush!” Ashlyn hissed the futile command. “Shhhhh!”
    Encouraged by the hissing, Hector, Roxy and a couple other dogs followed Lolly-Pup’s tail-wagging lead. A chorus of play-with-me-now woofs filled the air.
    “Crap!” A light went on in the darkened house behind her. A downstairs light — Maudette’s room. Apparently her grandmother had decided to call it an early night too after their argument. And Ashlyn didn’t appreciate one damn bit the little pang of guilt she suddenly felt.
    “Quiet now, good dogs.”
    She turned at the sound of the familiar male voice. It was easy and yet commanding. Deep and gravelly, steadying to the Airedales. Sexy as hell to her. Belonging to Caden Williams. Ashlyn’s heart did a little skippy thing that had nothing to do with the window climb and race across the yard. 
    The tail-wagging dogs immediately fell quiet and raced over to press themselves against the fence where Caden stood. He crouched down, pressing his hands to the chain link mesh for each of them to lick, praising them softly.
    Good dogs. Good, quiet dogs.
    “You’re amazing.” Ashlyn hadn’t meant the compliment to sound so breathless. “With the dogs, I mean,” she added.
    Caden smiled up at her and her knees weakened. “I’ve always had a way with them, though I’ve never had one myself.”
    “Why not?”
    “Dad’s not really a pet person.”
    “But he’s letting you keep one of Lolly-Pups pups, isn’t he?”
    Caden smiled. “Ah, but a Caverhill Airedale comes with a certain pedigree. You know, bloodline of champions. Dad is into things like that.”
    Wow. Caden’s father sounded very status-oriented. That didn’t bode well, given her crazy Caverhill rep—
    The door to the house creaked open.
    “Crap,” Ashlyn whispered, crouching down beside Caden. “If the dogs start up again and she comes out here, I’m screwed.”
    “Quiet now, good dogs,” Caden cooed to them. There wasn’t a single bark. Not so much as a doggie whimper.
    Maudette shut the door. A moment later, the lights went out again.
    Ashlyn released the breath she’d been holding. “Whew.”
    “Had to sneak out, huh?” Caden teased. “Your grandmother not too thrilled about you going out