“I guess that’s what you get when you’re a big-time reporter.”
Ashley sighed. “I’m not a big-time reporter. I’m still working for the society editor ofThe Daily Times.”
“And this research is part of what you do each day?”
“No. This is different.”
“You don’t look too happy about that.”
“This story is harder to investigate than I thought it would be.”
Erin bit into her sandwich. “Why are you working on it if it makes you unhappy?”
“It could be the story of my career. If I let this opportunity pass me by, I could be covering gallery exhibitions and charity events for the rest of my life.”
“You do lots of exciting things. Last time we spoke you were going to New York Fashion Week. How was that?”
Ashley smiled. “I didn’t arrive home until after midnight each night, but it was the highlight of my year.”
“There you go—that’s something you’ve enjoyed. You’re not worried about what your dad told you, are you?”
“He was right.”
Erin left her sandwich on her plate. “No, he wasn’t. You always wanted to be a reporter. Going to New York took courage.”
Before she’d left Bozeman, her dad told her she was dreaming if she thought she could make it in New York. Her mom had died six months earlier and hearing those words from her dad had almost destroyed her.
Ashley took a deep breath. “It hasn’t been easy. Even now, I sometimes wake up and want to go somewhere where the air is clean and there aren’t so many people.”
“You could always come back to Bozeman. This story might be the best thing that’s ever happened to you in more ways than one.”
“I’m not moving back here,” Ashley said firmly. “When I said goodbye, I meant it.”
“I’ve heard those same words so many times, it’s almost funny. There aren’t many people who leave Bozeman and never return. We’ve got the fastest growing population in the whole of Montana. If you want to look at different options, you could visit theBozeman Chronicle’soffice. Some amazing reporters are working there.”
“But it’s not New York.”
“Thank goodness for that.” Erin glanced at her watch. “You’ve got fifteen minutes to tell me what else you’ve been doing.”
Ashley laughed. “Work, work, and more work. Bonnie and I go out for dinner a couple of times a week, and if Harry’s home, he comes with us. But that’s about it.”
“I’m so disappointed. I thought you’d be seeing all the shows and enjoying the glitz and glamor of Broadway.”
“That wore off after the first year. What have you been doing?”
Erin grinned. “My life is almost as exciting as yours.” She opened her wallet and showed Ashley a picture of a little girl with black hair and big blue eyes.
“Is that Bethany?”
“It is. My weekends are spent at the park and making chocolate chip cookies.”
Ashley studied the picture. “I can’t believe how much she’s grown. She’s lucky to have a mom like you.”
“No. I’m the lucky one. You’ll have to spend some time with us while you’re in Bozeman.”
“I wish I could, but I’m probably going to leave in the next few days.”
Erin’s eyes softened. “You don’t need to keep running. Stay.”
