She kept walking, trying to wear off her temper. If anyone else made a stupid remark to her she was likely to bite their head off. Why was it so hard to accept that she was just as good a ranch hand as any of the guys?

She kept going until she came to the trees where they had sheltered the horses the day Tyler had almost caused a full stampede. Sliding to the ground, she put her face in her hands and wept. Not just for the incident in the stables, that was a normal part of her life on the ranch. Everything was all getting too much.

“Ashley, you okay?” Adam stood hovering as if he were afraid to approach her. “I saw you march across the yard. I don’t mean to intrude, but you looked upset.”

“I’m fine. Go away.”

“I’ll go if you want me to, but you’re obviously not fine. Would it help to talk about it?”

She looked at him wondering what his ulterior motive was. He looked innocent enough but nobody did anything nice, not unless they wanted something in return. Well, apart from Mack and Charity but they were unique.

He sat down, keeping his distance. “Granny always told me a trouble shared is a trouble halved.”

“Granny?”

“Yeah. My dad’s mam—back in Ireland. She was a wise old woman. Had twelve children. Earned her living by taking a cart down to Moore Street every day and selling fruits and vegetables. We ate a lot of vegetables growing up.”

Despite her feelings, she laughed.

“What’s Moore Street?”

“It’s an old street in Dublin where traders, ordinary people with handcarts, have been selling stuff for hundreds of years. People like my granny. Some sold fruit, others fish, some knitted items, pots, and pans. You name it and Moore Street would sell it. It’s still there but it’s not the same. Now people go to stores.”

“It sounds like something out of a film.”

“Well, it’s been used in films a few times so I guess it is. If you ever go to Ireland you should visit it.”

Ashley sniffed. She had as much chance of going to Ireland as going to the moon, but she wasn’t about to tell him that.

“Anyway, back to the trouble shared. Can I help?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“Why not try me?”

The temptation to tell him hit her hard, overwhelming any doubts about talking to someone outside of her usual friends. Maybe a different perspective would help? She was deluding herself.

“My parents own a ranch. Not like this one, it’s much smaller. About five years ago, my father lost his herd to a disease. They all had to be put down.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, it was horrible as even the healthy-looking ones had to be destroyed. Dad never recovered. Financially, I mean. He fell behind on the mortgage payments but being the proud man he is, he didn’t tell anyone. He tried raising loans and stuff but well, now he’s facing bankruptcy. My wages cover the current mortgage payments but I can’t afford to clear the arrears. He’s been told to file for bankruptcy rather than trying to sell.”

“Why? Is his land not worth much?”

“Well, that’s the thing. I would have thought it was. I don’t know the full extent of his debts. But land prices around here have been going up. And it’s a nice place, my home.” Her voice trembled at the last word. She bit her lip hoping the tears wouldn’t come.

“Things have been rough for you haven’t they? With your sister and this?”

“Oh, you don’t know the half of it. It’s so unfair. My parents are lovely people yet things keep going wrong for them. First the herd, then losing Kayleigh, and now they may lose their home as well.”

“I don’t know much about the bankruptcy rules in America but you can’t just accept it is the only option. In Ireland, we have ways of avoiding bankruptcy. It’s a lot easier when you have money, you just leave the country. But there are options for everyone.”

She couldn’t imagine someone like him knowing stuff like that. She’d assumed he came from a rich background.

“So, who is your dad getting advice from? His accountant?”

“No, I think it’s the bank.”

“He needs to speak to someone independent. The bank, while it may not do anything underhanded, hasn’t your dad’s best interests at heart. They just want their money back. It may be that filing for bankruptcy is the right thing, but it would be the worst move ever. You really need to find someone to speak to.”

“Like who?”

“Does Mack know anyone? He seems like a man who’s lived around here a long time. He could probably help.”

“I didn’t want to burden him. He and Charity have been wonderful to me.”

“It’s pretty easy to be nice to you. You’re a fabulous person.”

She backed up against the tree but he didn’t move an inch.

“Sorry, that came out a bit sleazy. I just think you’re amazing. Not many twenty-something’s would stay around paying their parents’ mortgage while dealing with idiots like Tyler and that Henry guy.”

“You know about Henry?”

“I think the whole ranch knows about Henry. He limped across the yard earlier shouting for ice. Bill threw him into the horse trough.”

Ashley burst out laughing. How appropriate. She must thank Bill later.

“It’s good to hear you laugh. But seriously, I would get someone to call an accountant or lawyer. I can lend you the money if cash is a problem. And before you get all jumpy again, it would be a loan. No strings attached. Okay?”

“Thanks, but no. I have enough to cover the bill. The initial one anyway. But it was nice of you to offer.”