“I made lemon muffins. Would you like one?”
“That would be great.”
Ashley jumped off the stool and took a container out of a cupboard. “Here you go.”
He took one of the muffins and leaned against the counter. “What else did your editor say?”
“He wants me to fly back to New York.”
He watched her face. “That was the plan.”
Ashley sighed. “I know, but…”
“But?”
“It doesn’t matter. I’ve booked my ticket. I leave tomorrow afternoon.”
Matthew left the muffin beside his coffee. He’d choke if he tried to eat it now. “I thought you might stay for the weekend.”
“I can’t. My editor wants to see me before Monday.”
Matthew sat on a stool beside her. “Will you stay in your apartment?”
“No. I’ll stay with Harry and Bonnie. I thought I’d come back to Bozeman in a few weeks to say hello to everyone…if that’s okay with you?”
“It’s your decision, Ashley.” Matthew didn’t know what else to say. He didn’t want her to leave at all. A visit in a few weeks wouldn’t change anything.
Her gaze fell to her hands. “I need to leave.”
“I know.” He took a deep breath and distanced himself from the disappointment building inside him. “Is someone meeting you at the airport?”
“Harry and Bonnie will be there.”
He nodded. “That’s good.”
“I’m sorry I can’t stay for longer.”
Matthew looked through the kitchen window, needing the connection with his family’s land more than ever. “It’s probably better that you’re leaving tomorrow. I can’t keep thinking that one day this will be enough for you, because it won’t.” He took a deep breath and turned to face her. “I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
Ashley’s eyes filled with tears. “I shouldn’t have sent you the ring. I’ve made a mess of everything.”
“It would have been worse if you’d stayed in New York.”
The back door flew open and Sean rushed into the kitchen. “Someone’s stopped outside Nathan and Amy’s house. I don’t recognize their SUV.”
Matthew’s gaze shot to Ashley. “Was anyone coming to see you?”
“No.” She grabbed the papers off the counter and slid them into a folder. “I’ll leave these in my office.”
Matthew held her arm. “Stay inside until we know who it is.”
“I might recognize them when they get out of their SUV.”
“You can look at them from the office window. If it’s someone associated with Congressman Welsh, stay away. Sean and I will make sure they leave.”
Ashley gave a quick nod before leaving the kitchen.
He wasn’t sure if she would listen to him, but either way, he was glad Sean had seen the vehicle. A few minutes warning was better than none, especially where Ashley was concerned.
