“I can’t believe you suspected Josh,” Ashley said hotly. “Did you check on me as well? Did you wonder if I was making up this stuff?”
“It’s standard procedure.” Nelson’s rumbly voice remained even and non-judgmental.
“That’s so wrong. As a public figure, I get that all the time. It’s part of the job description, but Josh shouldn’t have to put up with this crap.” Ashley heaved out a hard sigh. “I get it. I do. You’re trying to do your job and stop the threat, but you’re investigating my life, and it feels intrusive.”
“Robert was cagey about his relationship. Oh, he was polite, and I was asking nosey questions, but something in his manner… It was off. Maybe he isn’t sure of his partner, or perhaps they’d fought this morning,” Josh said.
“We’ll dig deeper,” Gerry said.
Nelson picked up his phone again and rang someone. He rattled off the particulars and issued instructions.
“Where are we going today?” Josh asked.
“We’re visiting the Hobbits.” Ashley wiggled on her seat, enthusiasm digging a deep grin into her face. “Where they filmed some of the scenes for Lord of the Rings. I adored the movies, and I’ve wanted to visit Hobbiton for ages. A perk of the job.”
Hobbits, as it turned out, lived in holes, but their places of residence were cute. The entire village was set on farmland in Matamata, and instead of destroying the filmset after the movie was done, the farm owner and Sir Peter Jackson had turned it into a tourist attraction and created jobs for some of the locals.
Along with Ashley, Gerry, Nelson, and their guide, they trod the paths between the Hobbit holes and listened to stories relating to the filming and the various actors. They learned about making the set and what it took to keep it in pristine condition for visitors.
The attention to detail at each of the Hobbit homes amazed Josh. The baker had loaves of bread for sale at his gate. The fisherman’s drying racks for his fish sat outside for all to see. Even the beekeeper’s house fascinated Josh with its hive and the pots of honey.
Ashley spoke to workers, the site owners, gardeners, and fellow tourists. The isolation of the fastest growing tourist attraction in New Zealand allowed Josh, Nelson, and Gerry to relax their guard a tad. Entrance to the site was controlled, and visitors were bused to the area, which lessened his worry of a shooter.
Josh snapped photos, including some of Ashley, which he figured her office could use. Nope. He might as well admit the truth to himself. The images of Ashley were for him. In them, she was relaxed and laughing, and when this was over, and their engagement ended, he’d have a way of remembering her.
His throat tightened. Walking away was the last thing he wanted, but he’d promised Frog. Josh was a man of his word.
Except, he’d slipped.
He’d made love to Ashley, and not even the guilt pressing on him was enough to make him sorry they’d carved out a slice of heaven for themselves last night. In a short time, he’d come to care for her.
Josh ambled along the gravel path, following the guide who was showing them around. The grass on the hills in the village and beyond was the same dazzling green he saw each time he visited home. Flowers bloomed in the gardens set around the Hobbit holes, and pumpkins and other winter vegetables awaited harvest in the produce garden while pears still hung on a nearby tree. It was apparent to him—a country boy—how much work went on behind the scenes.
And that thought led to another. What the hell was he going to do with his life?
Straight out of school, he’d not hesitated to join the army. But after Dillon had left, Josh had started to reassess too. He’d seen enough to suffer nightmares, done his bit for his country, and determined he was ready to shift to the next phase. While he had no regrets leaving instead of re-upping, he wished the hell he could get a grip on his future.
“Hey,” Ashley murmured. “Are you okay?”
“Heavy thoughts,” he replied, keeping his voice low. “Stand over there and let me take a photo.”
Ashley complied, and he took several.
“Isn’t this place amazing? The entire region of Matamata has benefited from Hobbiton. Jobs created for adults who normally need to leave the area to find work. The related fields of accommodation and food have prospered. We need more similar projects. Not necessarily related to a movie, but people thinking outside the box and looking to the future.” Enthusiasm bubbled from her, and she’d never looked so beautiful with the sun glinting on her golden hair, her brown eyes sparkling.
His gaze wandered to her lips, his need to kiss her a fever in his veins. He took half a step toward her before his promise to Frog had him screeching to a halt. Too many lines crossed. If Frog discovered the truth, he’d thump Josh. Hell, Josh would deserve the beating.
So instead of kissing Ashley as he wanted, he gave her a quick hug. She’d given him an idea. Somehow, he needed to find a project or service that played to his strengths. Tonight, while Ashley was busy with her reading and preparations for the following day, he’d do an honest assessment of his skills and see if he could come up withhisHobbiton.
It was nine at night and dark by the time Nelson drove up her drive. A long day for all of them. Ashley covered her yawn with her hand and opened the car door.
“No,” Josh snapped, reaching over to stay her with a hand. “The security light hasn’t come on.”
Ashley froze.Stupid!She hadn’t even noticed. Nelson and Gerry had. Their swift exchange of glances and the tension in their muscular bodies told her that clearly. She mentally kicked herself for failing this hurdle. Matt’s lectures about staying aware of her surroundings had faded because of her fatigue.Epic fail.
“I’ll go,” Nelson said.
“I have a torch in the glove-box if that’s any help,” Ashley said.
