CHAPTER THREE
Matthew sat in his truck. Seeing Ashley had unsettled him more than he thought it would. He’d known coming here would stir memories he would sooner forget, but he’d done it anyway.
His brother was right. Coming here had been a mistake. Ashley needed help from someone who knew what they were doing. Waiting for something that may or may not happen wasn’t what he did best. He preferred to deal with absolutes and, right at the moment, those absolutes were pointing at Ashley being in a lot of trouble.
He pulled out his phone and called his brother.
Sean answered on the second ring. “I was wondering when you’d contact me. How’s Ashley?”
“She’s working on a story that has upset a few people in New York.”
“Doesn’t surprise me. She upset a lot of people when she left here.”
Matthew rubbed his hand across his forehead. “That was three years ago. It’s time to move on.”
“Maybe for you, but we were the ones who helped you get over her. How long are you staying in Buffalo?”
“I’m buying my return ticket as soon as I finish this call. I told Ashley she’ll have to come to Bozeman if she wants me to help her.”
“You’re kidding?”
“Nope.” Matthew knew what Sean’s next question would be before it left his mouth. “If she comes with me, she’ll stay at our house. It’s the safest place for her.”
“It might be the safest, but it means I’ll have to live with her.”
“You’re thirty-two years old. Deal with it.”
Sean grunted. “Just like you are? Do you want to know what Sally said when I told her where you’d gone?”
“I’m sure our little sister had plenty to say. Did you tell her to keep away from the barn while I’m gone?”
“Too late. She dropped off three adult cats from the shelter. She said they’d help keep our mouse population down.”
“That’s what she said last time.”
“What can I say? They’re nice cats, and before you ask, Catherine and Toby have already seen them. You could always put a bed in the loft for Ashley. At least she’d only upset the cats, then.”
Matthew sighed. “Don’t be hard on her. She went through a lot after her mom got sick.”
“Living with someone with cancer should have made her more compassionate. Just remember that she never wanted to live in Bozeman. As soon as she arrives, she’ll be planning her return flight to New York.”
“I know.”
“I don’t want to spend the next six months helping you mend your broken heart.”
Matthew frowned. “I learned my lesson the first time.”
“Did you?”
“Eventually,” Matthew muttered. “Do me a favor and make sure our spare room is ready for her.”
“She could stay with Nathan and Amy in mom and dad’s old house. Catherine and Toby would enjoy her company.”
“Our cottage is further away from the main homestead. If anything happens, I don’t want anyone else getting hurt. Besides, Ashley will only be on the ranch for a week or two, maybe less.”
“Here’s hoping,” Sean mumbled. “I’ll get the bedroom ready. Text me your flight number and I’ll meet you at the airport.”
“Thanks.”
