Matthew stacked the wood beside the previous load. If they didn’t work faster, they’d be here until Christmas.He pushed the wheelbarrow back to his brother. “Do you want to swap around? I don’t mind chopping the wood for awhile.”
Sean split another log. “Nope, I’m okay. What are you doing about Ashley?”
Matthew ran his hand through his hair. “When are you going to stop talking about her?”
“When you admit you made a mistake.”
“I didn’t make a mistake. I never know where I stand with her. One minute she’s here, and the next she’s chasing a story somewhere else.”
Sean dropped the ax. “She hasn’t chased anything outside of Montana for a while.”
“I know.” Each day, Matthew had checked theBozeman Chroniclefor any stories Ashley might have written. She’d been busy, filling the pages with interesting news. “Okay. I’ll talk to her.”
“Good. I invited her to the ranch for dinner. She’ll be here at five-thirty.”
Matthew’s jaw dropped open. “What!”
Sean grabbed a couple of logs and threw them into the wheelbarrow. “You heard me. We’d better get through this quickly or I won’t have time to clean the barbecue.”
“I can’t believe you invited her here.”
“And I can’t believe it’s taken you this long to talk to her. Stalking isn’t attractive.”
Matthew handed his brother more wood. “At least I know she’s okay.”
Sean’s eyebrows rose. “It’s no wonder the two of you can’t work out what’s important. You’re both as stubborn as each other.”
On that positive note, Matthew picked up the ax and slammed it blade first, into a log. Thanks to his brother, he wasn’t looking forward to dinner.
***
Ashley parked in front of Sean and Matthew’s home. It had taken every bit of courage she possessed to drive to the ranch. She’d seen Matthew in town a few times, but she hadn’t stopped to say hello. What did you say to someone who didn’t want you in their life?
If she was honest with herself, she didn’t blame Matthew for feeling the way he did. He was a wonderful person—but not the right person for her. Coming here today was her way of finding closure.
Sean opened her car door. “I was worried you’d change your mind.”
“I nearly didn’t come, but Amy said Catherine and Toby were looking forward to seeing me.” She undid her seatbelt and handed him a basket. “I made a chocolate cake for dessert.”
“Thanks. Do you need help with anything else?”
He must have seen the boxes sitting on her back seat. “They’re for Catherine. We had a pile of old newspapers at work. Catherine’s making a paper maché dress for the wearable art competition at her school. This should help with the design.”
“I’ll help you take them across to her later. Come inside. Matthew’s in the barn. He shouldn’t be too long.”
“Was he was okay with me coming here?”
“Of course.”
Ashley followed Sean onto the porch. “That doesn’t sound very convincing.”
“You know Matthew.”
She held onto his arm. “I thought I did, but I’m not so sure anymore. If Matthew doesn’t want me here, I’ll go home.”
“Don’t be silly. He’s looking forward to seeing you.”
There was only one thing that Ashley was sure of at the moment. Sean wasn’t telling her the entire truth. “What have you done?”
