“No.” Matthew started walking toward the garden. He hadn’t told anyone that Ashley wouldn’t be coming back.
Nathan followed him. “Apart from the FBI arresting the congressman and the woman who ran the charity, what else happened?”
“Not a lot. I’m seeing Jacob Green later today. I’ve found a warehouse that looks great.”
“For Jacob?”
“For both of us. The Reaching High Foundation owns the building. If they’re open to selling the property, Jacob will run the numbers and see if it would be a sound investment.”
“How on earth did you find the building?”
“The Foundation operates a youth center from the ground floor. We went there last Friday.”
“Is that the same youth center that Ashley wrote about?”
“Yep.” Matthew opened the garden gate. “Someone’s been planting more seedlings.”
“We spent a couple of hours out here yesterday before Toby got sick.”
Matthew knelt on the fertile soil and picked some lettuce leaves.
“How much lettuce does Sean need?” Nathan asked.
“I’ve got no idea.”
“Take as much as you like. These plants are almost past their best.”
Once the basket was half full, they made their way across to the tomato plants. When they’d first been planted, Catherine helped tie the vines to bamboo stakes. Looking at the size of the tomatoes, the plants needed every bit of support they could get.
“Do you want Cherry or Roma?”
Matthew looked at the hanging baskets full of bright red Cherry tomatoes. “How about we take some of both? Sean can choose what he wants.”
While Nathan picked the Cherry tomatoes, Matthew added half a dozen Romas to their haul.
“You haven’t talked about Ashley since you’ve been home.”
“I’ve only been back one night.” Matthew picked a cucumber and added it to the basket.
“What happened while you were in New York?”
Matthew studied the garden and the fields surrounding them. The ranch was as important to him as the air he breathed. It nourished his soul, made him glad to be alive, and happy to be away from New York. “I realized something I should have known a long time ago. Ashley won’t be coming back to live in Bozeman. Her life is in New York City.”
Nathan dropped two handfuls of tomatoes into the basket. “She seemed to enjoy herself while she was here.”
“It wasn’t enough to make her stay.”
“She had other things on her mind. Maybe if she came back when no one was harassing her, it might be different.”
“It wouldn’t. Have you heard from mom?”
Nathan’s eyes narrowed. “She called me two nights ago. Dad has joined the local country club.”
Matthew frowned. “I never imagined him as the country club type.”
“Neither did I, but it sounds as though he’s enjoying himself. I’m here if you want to talk to someone.”
“Thanks, but I’ll be okay. I’d better take these back to Sean. Give the kids a hug from me.”
“I’m sure you’ll see Catherine soon. I’ll catch up with you later.”
Matthew felt the weight of his brother’s gaze long after he’d left the garden. Saying goodbye to Ashley had been one of the hardest things he’d ever done. He didn’t know if his heart would ever be the same again.
