CHAPTER EIGHT
The next day came around far too quickly. Ashley wove through the crowd of people at the airport, trying to find somewhere quiet where she could wait for Matthew. He’d left her beside the terminal building before looking for a parking space. She didn’t know what was happening today, but half of Bozeman seemed to be at the airport.
It wasn’t that long ago that she’d arrived, feeling like a fugitive on the run and hoping no one recognized her. This time, she wasn’t wearing her black wig or baseball cap. It didn’t matter if anyone knew her. If all went to plan, her story would be published inThe Daily Timesin the next couple of days. If Congressman Welsh made headlines across America, her life could be crazy until another story hit the headlines.
“I’m glad you decided to stay by the entrance,” Matthew said from behind her. “I wouldn’t have found you in this crowd.”
Ashley handed him a cup of coffee. “This is for you.”
“Thanks. Are you ready to leave?”
“I am. It took a while to check-in my suitcases.” She glanced at the escalator. Upstairs were the security checkpoints and the boarding gate for her flight home. She turned to Matthew, not sure what to say to him. “Thank you for looking after me.”
“You’re welcome. Call me when you arrive.”
“Are you sure? It will be late when I land.”
He frowned something fierce. “Call me. It doesn’t matter about the time.” Matthew looked down at her carry-on. “I meant what I said about coming back to the ranch. You don’t have to be in trouble—you can visit whenever you like.”
Ashley bit her bottom lip to stop it from trembling. “Okay. I’d better go upstairs or I’ll miss my flight. Can I give you a hug?”
Matthew’s arms opened. “You’d better.”
As soon as she stepped into his warm embrace, she felt a hundred times worse. She already missed him and that feeling could only get worse.
He kissed the side of her face and stepped away. “Take care.”
The only thing Ashley could do was nod. If she didn’t leave now, she’d start crying. She quickly kissed his cheek. “Bye.”
She wheeled her carry-on across to the escalator, vowing not to look back at the man she could never forget.
“Ashley! Wait.”
She turned around. Jason dodged a group of people standing in the entranceway and headed toward her. “I’m glad I caught you before you boarded. Where’s Matthew?”
“Behind you.”
Jason looked over his shoulder and shook Matthew’s hand. “Come with me.” He moved away from the escalator, finding a quiet area beside a statue of a moose. “I’ve got good news. The search warrants found more than we thought they would. The FBI has charged Congressman Welsh with a long list of felonies including racketeering, bribery, and fraud.”
Ashley’s eyes widened. “When did that happen?”
“About an hour ago.”
Matthew touched her arm. “Are you all right? You look like you’re going to faint.”
“I just…I didn’t think it would happen this fast. I need to call my editor.” She pulled her cell phone out of her bag. “Do you know if the FBI has arrested Jasmine Alfredo?”
Jason shook his head. “She hasn’t been arrested, but her personal bank accounts have been frozen. She won’t be able to touch any money until the FBI has finished their investigation. The treasurer of The Reaching High Foundation has been cleared of any wrong doing.”
Matthew stepped to his right, shielding Ashley from a group of tourists taking a photo of the moose.
When her editor answered his phone, she told him what had happened and arranged to meet him as soon as her plane landed. After she ended the call, she looked at the time.
“I need to leave or I’ll miss my flight.”
“Come with me.” Jason led her and Matthew toward an elevator. “You’ll beat the line of people coming off the escalator.” He pushed the button and the metal doors opened.
Ashley’s eyes filled with tears. “I’ll be okay on my own. I know where I’m going.” She threw her arms around Jason and gave him a quick hug. “Thank you.”
