“How are you feeling?”
Matthew leaned his head against the headrest. “Okay. Ashley hasn’t changed.”
“At least you know what to expect.”
“That’s what I’m worried about.” Matthew looked at the house she was using as her hideaway. “Don’t tell mom and dad that Ashley could be coming to Bozeman.”
“You’re too late. Sally’s already told them you’re meeting her in Buffalo.”
He didn’t want his parents hearing about what was happening from his sister. “I’ll call them after I’ve spoken to Ashley.”
“Okay. I’ll see you when you arrive.”
Matthew ended the call and stared at his phone. Ashley had asked for his help and regardless of what she wanted, living on his family’s ranch was the only way he could keep her safe. Staying here, on her own, was out of the question.
If she hadn’t already come to that conclusion, she’d changed more than he thought she had.
***
Ashley sat on the edge of her bed, trying to work out what she was going to do. Even in Buffalo, she felt unsafe. When she was walking down the street or using the Internet café, she spent a lot of time looking over her shoulder, worried that someone would recognized her.
Going back to Bozeman was the last thing she wanted to do. It was part of her past, not her future. She’d promised her mom she wouldn’t second-guess herself, that she wouldn’t live her life with regrets. That promise had led her to New York and a job that was a stepping stone to greater things. But she couldn’t stay in Buffalo on her own and she couldn’t return to New York.
A soft knock on her bedroom door made her heart race. She looked at Matthew and sighed. “You want an answer, don’t you?”
“Delta Airlines have two seats left on tonight’s five-thirty flight. Do you want me to book you a seat?”
Before she changed her mind, Ashley nodded and reached for her wallet. “Harry sent me a new credit card. It’s linked to his account, but I’ll pay him back when this is over.” She held out her card. “Put both tickets on here. I’ll pay for your other flight as well.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll book the tickets then empty the food out of the kitchen.”
Ashley walked across to her closet and pulled out her bag. “If you leave the food on the counter, I’ll take it to the lady who lives next door.”
Matthew nodded and turned to leave.
“Thank you,” Ashley said quickly. “I appreciate what you’re doing for me.”
“It’s not just for you. Someone stole money that will help a lot of children. If you can make sure that money goes to the projects it was supposed to fund, then this is all worth it.”
Ashley didn’t have to ask him what was worth it. She knew by looking at his face that helping her was the last thing he wanted to do. And that made going to Bozeman all the more difficult.
***
When their plane hit the tarmac in Bozeman, Matthew breathed a sigh of relief. Sitting beside Ashley for six hours had just about torn him in two. He felt the same pull of attraction he always did around her. But this time it was surrounded by a caution so deep that it kept hauling him back to earth, reminding him not to get too close. He’d been hurt once, and he wasn’t about to put his heart on the line again.
He took his backpack out of the overhead locker and reached for Ashley’s carry-on.
“It’s okay. I’ve got it,” she said from beside him.
Her hand brushed against his and a jolt of electricity shot through his body. He moved half a step backward, straight into the person behind him.
He turned to the woman, an apology half-way out of his mouth before he realized who it was. “Mrs. Stanley?”
“Well, if it isn’t Matthew Gray. What have you been doing in Buffalo?”
“I was visiting a friend.” He moved directly in front of Doris, blocking her view of Ashley. Mrs. Stanley had a heart of gold, but she was the center of town gossip.
“That’s nice. I’m surprised your brothers could spare you. The drought we’re having is making everything more difficult.”
