“Will you explain to me why you felt the need to come on the train to catch the thief without my help? I thought we had decided to work together.”
“We had, yes, but because of your setback, I didn’t want to bother you.”
“But Ashton, you didn’t even tell me about the money being on the train today.”
His heel began tapping in a quick rhythm and he was quiet for a few moments. “You are correct. I didn’t tell you.”
She really shouldn’t ask, but she couldn’t stop the words from leaving her mouth. “Don’t you trust me to help you?”
Sighing heavily, he pushed his fingers through his hair. “Trust is a hard thing to gain once it is lost.”
Frustration lodged in her throat as the pain from his words stung her eyes. “Yes, I’m aware of that, but why can’t you understand that I lied to you for a reason? I didn’t lie to you to make you upset. I lied to you because—”
“I know,” he snapped. “It was your job.”
“It’s still my job,” she whispered brokenly. “If my father hears that I have shared the truth with you, he might pull me from this case. I’m sure the other detectives won’t want me to work with them because of what I’ve told you.”
“Do you expect me to give you a medal for being so valiant?”
Once again, his words were like a knife through the heart. She shook her head as tears filled her eyes. “No, I just want you to understand why I withheld the truth from you.”
“I know,” he grumbled, “but it doesn’t make it right. When I met you and was getting to know you, I thought I had finally met a woman who could be honest. Once I discovered you were not that woman, something inside me died.” His expression turned hard. “I’m sorry, Nicole, but I just can’t forgive and forget so easily.” He turned his head and peered out the window.
Tears leaked from her eyes, and she turned her head away, wiping her moist cheeks. Had she really ruined her chance with him for good? Deep down inside her heart, she knew there must be a way to make him trust her again, and she’d find it no matter what obstacles were placed in front of her.
OPENING THE DOOR TO his house, he motioned his hand for Nicole to enter first. He followed her inside before closing the door behind him. He couldn’t believe how tired he felt, but it was more mental than physical. It took a lot of strain not to fall at her feet and beg her forgiveness. He knew he was being stubborn, and although he knew he should stick to his decision, seeing her cry made him weak in the worst way. Things were definitely different from when he had gotten his first heartache from an untrusting woman. Yet he couldn’t cower. He must stay strong.
“Thank you for allowing me to stay here one more night,” Nicole said in a small voice.
He shrugged. “I had assumed you probably didn’t pack your things and returned home since you followed me bright and early this morning.”
“No, I didn’t pack anything, but I’ll certainly leave tomorrow.” She moved to the steps and climbed one before looking at him from over her shoulder. “Don’t forget to check on Mr. Nickerson tomorrow to see if he has an injured arm.”
“I plan on doing that first thing.” He nodded. “Have a good night.”
She took another step and then hesitated. The timeline wasn’t adding up. It finally hit her, and she gasped, swinging around. “No, we can’t wait until tomorrow.”
Her eyes were wide with excitement once again. He had to admit, he really enjoyed seeing her this way. “Why not?”
“Because isn’t Mr. Nickerson supposed to be in Liverpool?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Well, there is no way he could get back here by now without taking the train, and we didn’t see him.”
Suddenly rejuvenated, he rushed to her and clasped her hand. “Yes, you are correct. We need to go to his townhouse tonight and wait for his return.”
“Tonight?”
“Is that all right? Or do you need to rest?”
She chuckled. “How can I rest now? Don’t you know I love this about my job? I love the adventure and suspense of capturing the villain.”
Seeing her smile made his heart skip a beat. “You know, I’m starting to experience the thrill of the expected capture as well. However,” he glanced down at his clothes, “let me go change first. I loathe these large clothes on me.”
“Do you need me to change?”
“I think you’ll be able to move around faster in those boy’s trousers. Do you have another pair?”
