“Someone has to be,” he whispered. “Sean’s acting like a five-year-old.” He took the cooler through to the kitchen and unpacked the lunch.
While they’d been gone, Ashley had cleared the table and set it with plates and cutlery.
It was almost like old times. Almost.
***
After lunch, Ashley cleared away the last of the dishes. Matthew had already left to help one of the ranch hands.
“I’ll leave the rest of the pie in the refrigerator,” Sally said.
“Sean will be happy.”
Sally didn’t say anything, and Ashley couldn’t blame her. They hadn’t spoken to each other in three years. Losing her friend had been almost as hard as saying goodbye to Matthew.
Sally covered the pie with foil. “I shouldn’t have yelled at you before you left Bozeman.”
Ashley looked at the dishcloth in her hand. “I deserved everything you said.”
“No, you didn’t. I knew you were grieving for your mom, but I still lost my temper.”
“You were sticking up for Matthew.”
“It’s still no excuse for how I behaved. Looking back, I know why you left. This place is so small that Betty-Sue made the headlines when she dyed her hair blue.”
Ashley smiled. “You’re joking?”
“Only a little. She dyed her hair for a fundraising event.”
Ashley left the dishcloth on the counter. She needed Sally to understand why she’d left. “I loved Matthew, but I had to leave. I wanted to work for a big newspaper, to make a difference in the world. I couldn’t stay here knowing I hadn’t at least tried to make a name for myself.”
“And have you?”
“Have I what?”
“Made a name for yourself.”
Ashley thought about her job. “Not really. I’m a society reporter for a mid-size newspaper.”
“In New York.”
She grinned. “That part is pretty awesome. But with all the awesomeness comes high living costs, smog, and rush-hour traffic that you wouldn’t believe.”
“Does the reason you’re here have anything to do with your society pages?”
“Sort of. Matthew told your parents I came to Bozeman for a friend’s birthday party.”
“I don’t know if mom and dad will believe him. But in the meantime, I think I can do something for you.” Sally looked at the folders stacked on the counter. “It looks as though you need an office. You could use one of the spare bedrooms in the cottage. Nathan’s got a whiteboard in the main homestead that he doesn’t use. We could set that up beside a desk and you’d have your own workspace.”
“That sounds great.”
“Come on, then.” Sally pulled Ashley toward the kitchen door.
“Where are we going?”
“To find the whiteboard. By the time Matthew and Sean arrive home, we’ll have everything ready.”
“Are you sure they won’t mind me using one of their spare bedrooms?”
