Matthew jogged to Sean’s bathroom and found the shaving foam. “If you want to be helpful you could give me a ride to the airport.”
“I’ll take you, but I don’t think you should go.”
“I heard you the first time. Are there any other pearls of wisdom you want to share with me?”
“I’ve said all I need to.”
“Good. Let Sally know I won’t be at dinner.”
“She’ll think you’re crazy.”
Matthew lifted his suitcase off his bed. “I need to be at the airport in forty minutes. Let’s go.”
Sean followed him downstairs, grumbling about people with limited common sense.
His brother was right about one thing. Dropping everything to find the woman who had broken his heart wasn’t the smartest thing he’d ever done. But then he’d never been particularly smart when it came to Ashley.
***
Ashley walked up the driveway toward Bonnie’s grandmother’s home. The plastic handles of the grocery bags dug into her hands and her borrowed laptop bumped against her back.
She looked at the home in front of her and silently thanked Bonnie for letting her stay here. The Cape Cod-inspired home was lovely. At some point, the steep gable roof had been remodeled to include a second story. With its central fireplace and simple exterior, it would have made a wonderful family home.
No one would guess that a runaway reporter was using it to keep herself safe. She waved at one of the neighbors and kept walking. Apart from Bonnie and Harry, no one from New York had contacted her. But that didn’t stop her from thinking it was only a matter of time before someone else found her.
While she’d been in town today, she’d called her editor atThe Daily Times. He wasn’t happy about her being away, but he’d agreed to let her take another week off work. What she’d do after that, she didn’t know.
Bonnie and Harry had both been worried about her. Harry had gone to see Mrs. Moretti to find out if the man who’d been watching her home had returned. Mrs. Moretti and Mr. Stokes hadn’t seen him again.
Ashley still wasn’t sure if he was the person who’d stolen her laptop, but either way, it didn’t matter. She was in Buffalo and away from whoever wanted to stop her working on her story.
She pulled the front door key out of her pocket. Footsteps hit the concrete path behind her. She spun around, hoping it was her neighbor.
When she saw who it was, she didn’t know whether to sink to the ground in relief or start crying.
Matthew still walked with the same calm confidence he always had, still managed to take her breath away with his dark hair, broad shoulders, and sparkling green eyes.
She left the grocery bags beside her and stood on the porch, too stunned to move.
He stopped in front of her. “It’s been a long time.”
Ashley nodded. “Thanks for coming.”
“What’s happened?”
Tears filled her eyes. “I’m working on a story that’s become complicated. Someone has been following me. They broke into my apartment and stole my laptop.”
“Why did you send me the ring?”
“I need your help. I’m not safe here on my own.”
“You could have called.”
“I didn’t want to risk anyone tracing the number.”
Matthew’s jaw tightened. He picked up the grocery bags and nodded at the house. “Let’s go inside.”
Her hand shook as she opened the door. “This is my friend’s house. Her grandmother died a couple of years ago and she let me stay here.” She led him through to the kitchen and turned on the coffeepot. “You can leave the groceries on the counter. I’ll put everything away and make you a cup of coffee. How was your flight?” Ashley clamped her lips together to stop more words tumbling from her mouth.
