“Hi. How’s Bozeman?”
“Much quieter than New York City. I’m sorry to call you, but I’ve been trying to reach Ashley. I’ve left a few messages, but she hasn’t returned my calls. Is she okay?”
“She’s in Washington D.C.”
“Is she still working on the story about Congressman Welsh?”
“Didn’t Ashley tell you why she was going there?”
Matthew rubbed his forehead. He didn’t know what Ashley had told Bonnie, but he was guessing it wasn’t much. “I haven’t spoken to Ashley since I left New York.”
“That was two weeks ago.”
“I know. I made a mistake.”
“Don’t we all,” Bonnie muttered. “I’m surprised Ashley hasn’t returned your calls.”
“Have you spoken to her?”
“She called me last night after she arrived at her hotel.”
At least Ashley was okay. “Why did she go to Washington D.C.?”
Bonnie sighed. “She’s being interviewed for a job atThe Washington Post.”
Matthew’s heart sank. “I thought she liked living in New York?”
“She does, but this job is exactly what she’s been looking for. Call Ashley tonight. She can tell you about the interview.”
“I’ll do that. Thanks, Bonnie.”
“No problem. Bye.”
Matthew disconnected the call.
“What did she say?” Sean asked.
“Ashley went to Washington D.C. for a job interview.” He slid his phone into his pocket. “I’ll check the fences on the northern boundary. I should be back in a couple of hours.”
Sean held onto his arm. “Are you okay?”
“I will be. Amy and Nathan invited us for dinner. We need to be at their place by six o’clock.”
His brother smiled. “You can drown your sorrows in one of Amy’s world famous desserts.”
Not even the thought of his sister-in-law’s cooking made him feel better. His brain was telling him there was no point calling Ashley, but his heart was still as stubborn as ever.
***
Ashley collected her suitcase from the carousel and headed toward the car rental counters. She’d stayed in Washington, D.C. until six o’clock that night, then caught a six-hour flight to Bozeman.
For now, no one except her father and Bonnie knew she was here.
After what had happened over the last few months, her dad had insisted on seeing her. To make it easier for both of them, they’d decided to meet halfway across the country in Montana.
“Ashley!”
She turned around and smiled at the man on the other side of the arrivals area. Her dad’s lean frame hadn’t changed since she’d last seen him. But the stress that had lined his face and left his shoulders stooped had disappeared. He was walking tall and looking like the man she remembered from before her mom became sick.
