Fortunately, Maggie saved him from having to respond.
“Where’s Mantha?”
“I’m right here,” she said as she walked into the room.
“Mantha!Sit by me!”Maggie patted the table next to her.
She filled her own plate and settled in next to Maggie.Her smile warmed him more than the coffee he was drinking.Ash was right, this was a beautiful little family.Or at least, it would be… hopefully.
After breakfast, Ash asked to accompany him on his rounds for the day.The first stop every morning was to meet up with Brennan.
“Morning, boss.”He gave Ash a nod.“I heard you were here but didn’t believe it was true.”
“And I heard I owe you a thank you for quite possibly saving the life of my favorite little girl.”
“Nah.”Brennan shook his head.“I was just saving my own neck, really.You’d have skinned me alive if I’d let something happen to her.”
“Well, Trent says you’ve done good work, in every possible regard.But I’m looking forward to having you back where you belong.”
A smile grew on Brennan’s lips.“I’m looking forward to being back.”
Trent shook his head.“Well, I for one, am not looking forward to losing you.You’ve been more helpful to me than you can imagine.I’ll miss having you around.”
“No need to get maudlin.I haven’t left yet, kid.”
Trent didn’t miss Ash’s approving smile.
After putting the others to work, Trent and Ash stopped by the cabin they’d refurbished for him.Ash smiled as he took it all in.
“I appreciate the work you did on this.I know it’s silly, but I didn’t want it to just turn to dust.As you already guessed, this is where I found Gwen hiding.”He chuckled.“When I opened the door, I was nearly trampled by her horse because she’d brought it inside so she wouldn’t be found.”He looked at Trent.“They’re so brave.All of them.These women overcome the unthinkable.Samantha is no different.I stand in awe of each and every one of them.”
“At least part of the credit should go to you, Ash.You provide them the means.”
He shrugged it off, like he always did.“It’s just fortunate that there are so many greedy men eager to give me their money in the hope that they might win some of it back.They think the women are there to service them.”He laughed.“Fools.”He clapped Trent’s arm.“I’m so glad you’re not one of them.”
Trent struggled to believe he wasn’t in some ways.“I need to apologize to you, Ash.”
“You couldn’t possibly have any reason to apologize."He gestured toward the cabin.
“I do.It’s important to me.”
“Very well.I’m listening.”
“I am so sorry for all the wrong I did to you.The theft, sending those men into your club.”He stopped and shook his head, guilt ravaging his stomach.“I am so, so sorry that they shot you.”
Ash placed a hand on his shoulder with a heavy sigh.“I know you are.And I forgive you.”
“But why?I don’t deserve your forgiveness.I don’t deserve any of this.”
“Of course you do.You didn’t ask them to shoot me.And if you hadn’t stolen from me, we might never have met.One thing I know for certain is that my life is better with you in it.”
Trent threw his arms around him and Ash laughed.“When did you become a hugger?”
Trent laughed along with him and wiped the tears that were just starting down his cheeks.“I don’t know.It seems I’ve become a bit melodramatic of late.”
Ash acted as if it were nothing, but with his words, a great weight had lifted from Trent’s soul.He blew out a long breath and collected himself.“On the subject of strong women, would you mind if we pay a visit to Mrs.Elmhurst?She lost her husband recently, and their family is going through a hard time right now, so I like to check in on them frequently.”
“I have nowhere else to be.Lead the way.”
