CHAPTER THREE
Matthew sat in his truck. Seeing Ashley had unsettled him more than he thought it would. He’d known coming here would stir memories he would sooner forget, but he’d done it anyway.
His brother was right. Coming here had been a mistake. Ashley needed help from someone who knew what they were doing. Waiting for something that may or may not happen wasn’t what he did best. He preferred to deal with absolutes and, right at the moment, those absolutes were pointing at Ashley being in a lot of trouble.
He pulled out his phone and called his brother.
Sean answered on the second ring. “I was wondering when you’d contact me. How’s Ashley?”
“She’s working on a story that has upset a few people in New York.”
“Doesn’t surprise me. She upset a lot of people when she left here.”
Matthew rubbed his hand across his forehead. “That was three years ago. It’s time to move on.”
“Maybe for you, but we were the ones who helped you get over her. How long are you staying in Buffalo?”
“I’m buying my return ticket as soon as I finish this call. I told Ashley she’ll have to come to Bozeman if she wants me to help her.”
“You’re kidding?”
“Nope.” Matthew knew what Sean’s next question would be before it left his mouth. “If she comes with me, she’ll stay at our house. It’s the safest place for her.”
“It might be the safest, but it means I’ll have to live with her.”
“You’re thirty-two years old. Deal with it.”
Sean grunted. “Just like you are? Do you want to know what Sally said when I told her where you’d gone?”
“I’m sure our little sister had plenty to say. Did you tell her to keep away from the barn while I’m gone?”
“Too late. She dropped off three adult cats from the shelter. She said they’d help keep our mouse population down.”
“That’s what she said last time.”
“What can I say? They’re nice cats, and before you ask, Catherine and Toby have already seen them. You could always put a bed in the loft for Ashley. At least she’d only upset the cats, then.”
Matthew sighed. “Don’t be hard on her. She went through a lot after her mom got sick.”
“Living with someone with cancer should have made her more compassionate. Just remember that she never wanted to live in Bozeman. As soon as she arrives, she’ll be planning her return flight to New York.”
“I know.”
“I don’t want to spend the next six months helping you mend your broken heart.”
Matthew frowned. “I learned my lesson the first time.”
“Did you?”
“Eventually,” Matthew muttered. “Do me a favor and make sure our spare room is ready for her.”
“She could stay with Nathan and Amy in mom and dad’s old house. Catherine and Toby would enjoy her company.”
“Our cottage is further away from the main homestead. If anything happens, I don’t want anyone else getting hurt. Besides, Ashley will only be on the ranch for a week or two, maybe less.”
“Here’s hoping,” Sean mumbled. “I’ll get the bedroom ready. Text me your flight number and I’ll meet you at the airport.”
“Thanks.”
“How are you feeling?”
Matthew leaned his head against the headrest. “Okay. Ashley hasn’t changed.”
“At least you know what to expect.”
“That’s what I’m worried about.” Matthew looked at the house she was using as her hideaway. “Don’t tell mom and dad that Ashley could be coming to Bozeman.”
“You’re too late. Sally’s already told them you’re meeting her in Buffalo.”
He didn’t want his parents hearing about what was happening from his sister. “I’ll call them after I’ve spoken to Ashley.”
“Okay. I’ll see you when you arrive.”
Matthew ended the call and stared at his phone. Ashley had asked for his help and regardless of what she wanted, living on his family’s ranch was the only way he could keep her safe. Staying here, on her own, was out of the question.
If she hadn’t already come to that conclusion, she’d changed more than he thought she had.
***
Ashley sat on the edge of her bed, trying to work out what she was going to do. Even in Buffalo, she felt unsafe. When she was walking down the street or using the Internet café, she spent a lot of time looking over her shoulder, worried that someone would recognized her.
Going back to Bozeman was the last thing she wanted to do. It was part of her past, not her future. She’d promised her mom she wouldn’t second-guess herself, that she wouldn’t live her life with regrets. That promise had led her to New York and a job that was a stepping stone to greater things. But she couldn’t stay in Buffalo on her own and she couldn’t return to New York.
A soft knock on her bedroom door made her heart race. She looked at Matthew and sighed. “You want an answer, don’t you?”
“Delta Airlines have two seats left on tonight’s five-thirty flight. Do you want me to book you a seat?”
Before she changed her mind, Ashley nodded and reached for her wallet. “Harry sent me a new credit card. It’s linked to his account, but I’ll pay him back when this is over.” She held out her card. “Put both tickets on here. I’ll pay for your other flight as well.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll book the tickets then empty the food out of the kitchen.”
Ashley walked across to her closet and pulled out her bag. “If you leave the food on the counter, I’ll take it to the lady who lives next door.”
Matthew nodded and turned to leave.
“Thank you,” Ashley said quickly. “I appreciate what you’re doing for me.”
“It’s not just for you. Someone stole money that will help a lot of children. If you can make sure that money goes to the projects it was supposed to fund, then this is all worth it.”
Ashley didn’t have to ask him what was worth it. She knew by looking at his face that helping her was the last thing he wanted to do. And that made going to Bozeman all the more difficult.
***
When their plane hit the tarmac in Bozeman, Matthew breathed a sigh of relief. Sitting beside Ashley for six hours had just about torn him in two. He felt the same pull of attraction he always did around her. But this time it was surrounded by a caution so deep that it kept hauling him back to earth, reminding him not to get too close. He’d been hurt once, and he wasn’t about to put his heart on the line again.
He took his backpack out of the overhead locker and reached for Ashley’s carry-on.
“It’s okay. I’ve got it,” she said from beside him.
Her hand brushed against his and a jolt of electricity shot through his body. He moved half a step backward, straight into the person behind him.
He turned to the woman, an apology half-way out of his mouth before he realized who it was. “Mrs. Stanley?”
“Well, if it isn’t Matthew Gray. What have you been doing in Buffalo?”
“I was visiting a friend.” He moved directly in front of Doris, blocking her view of Ashley. Mrs. Stanley had a heart of gold, but she was the center of town gossip.
“That’s nice. I’m surprised your brothers could spare you. The drought we’re having is making everything more difficult.”
“Sean and Nathan have got everything under control.” He nodded at the people behind her. “Looks like we’re moving, Mrs. Stanley.”
Doris glanced over her shoulder and smiled. “So we are. I hope you had a good time in Buffalo.”
Before he could reply, Doris turned and joined the line of people leaving the plane.
He took his hat out of the locker, letting the people seated beside her out of their seats before he moved. He needed to put as much distance between Doris and Ashley as possible.
“Watch out for Mrs. Stanley,” he whispered.
Ashley pulled her baseball cap lower. “Was she on this flight?”
“She was sitting in front of us.”
“Did she recognize me?”
“I don’t think so. She would have said something if she did.” He touched the edge of her black wig. “Even I’d have to look twice to recognize you.”
“That was the idea,” Ashley whispered. “We need to move.”
Matthew blinked, then grabbed his backpack.
Ashley followed on his heels, keeping behind him even when they walked into the terminal.
He swerved to the right, away from where his brother was standing. Doris was close to Sean, waiting for her luggage.
Sean frowned and followed him to the far side of the room. His eyes widened when Ashley looked at him.
“Hi, Sean.” She held out her hand.
Matthew wasn’t sure whether her handshake was a peace offering or a reflex action, but either way, his brother didn’t look happy.
Sean shook her hand in double-quick time. “You made it.”
“We did. Thank you for letting me stay on the ranch.”
His brother swallowed the words that Matthew knew he wanted to say. “You’re welcome.”
He handed Sean his backpack. “Ashley needs to get out of here before someone recognizes her. Take her to the truck. I’ll be there as soon as her luggage arrives.”
Sean looked around the terminal. “Half the people here will know her.” His gaze landed on Ashley. “Pull your cap low and follow me.”
She picked up her carry-on and nodded.
As much as his brother didn’t want her staying with them, he still walked close to Ashley and made sure no one stopped them on their way out of the terminal.
Matthew took a deep breath. He didn’t know what would happen over the next few days, but it had to be better than worrying if Ashley was okay.
***
Ashley opened her eyes, blinking the last of her dream away. A rooster screeched his early morning welcome and sunlight peeked through a gap in the curtains.
She was still finding it hard to believe she was in Montana. It had been pitch-black when they’d driven to Matthew and Sean’s home, but the difference between here and New York had been as obvious as the rooster still cock-a-doodle-doing from somewhere on the ranch.
She’d forgotten how clean the air smelled, how warm the evenings could be, even at the beginning of summer. On the way to the ranch, she told Sean about the story she was writing. He hadn’t said much, but that probably had more to do with her unexpected arrival. The Gray family were close, and she knew she’d hurt more than Matthew when she’d left.
With one last glance at the curtains, she pushed off her blankets and quickly changed into her jeans and a sweatshirt. Matthew and Sean would already be out on the ranch. If she was going to discover where the missing money had gone, she needed to do it fast. The sooner she had answers, the sooner she could return to New York.
On her way downstairs she heard a noise coming from the kitchen. Matthew was speaking to someone, telling them they didn’t need to come to the ranch.
Ashley stood in the doorway, not sure whether she should interrupt his conversation.
He looked across the room and waved her inside. “No, mom. We’re okay. Ashley’s only staying for about a week. By the time you get here, she’ll almost be gone.” He took a mug out of the pantry and poured a cup of coffee. “I’ll remember. Love you, too. Bye.”
He left the phone on the counter and handed Ashley the mug of coffee. “That was mom. She’s worried about you.”
“Did you tell her why I’m here?”
“No, but it would have been easier if I had. She thought you were here to spend time with me.”
“What did you tell her?”
“That you’ve been invited to a friend’s birthday party and you didn’t have anywhere else to stay.”
Ashley’s eyebrows rose.
“I know it was a lame reason, but it was the best I could come up with.”
“I wasn’t thinking that. As far as spur-of-the-moment reasons go, it was great. Do you think your mom will stay in Florida?”
“I don’t know. When she gets something into her head, she doesn’t let go until she makes sure everything is okay. How did you know mom and dad are still living in Florida?”
Heat hit Ashley’s cheeks. “I might not keep in contact with all of my friends, but I still know one or two who live here.”
“What else have your friends told you?”
“Nothing you’d want to know.” She grinned at the frown on his face. “Don’t let me keep you from your work. I’m sure you’ve got lots of ranchy things to do.”
“Ranchy? Is that a trendy term New Yorkers are using now?”
“No, it’s my name for whatever you’re about to do.”
“Your memory isn’t that bad. You used to be here most weekends, helping us with our chores.”
“That was a long time ago.” She’d been young and in love and would have done anything to spend more time with him.
Matthew threw a baseball cap in her direction. “You left this in Sean’s truck. If you’re looking for something to do, you could feed the horde of cats we’ve inherited.”
“Cats?”
“From the animal shelter. Sally’s still addicted to finding homes for stray animals. I’ll take you across to the main homestead tonight. Nathan will already be on the ranch, but most mornings, Amy, Catherine, and Toby are at home until eight o’clock.” He looked around the kitchen. “Help yourself to anything you need. I’ll be back in a couple of hours.”
“Where do you keep the cat grits?”
“They’re in the mudroom. Just watch the cat with one eye and a limp. He likes to eat everyone else’s food.”
“Are you joking?”
Matthew’s smile made her toes curl. “Would I do that?”
“You’ve done worse.”
His smile disappeared. “I’ll let Sean know you’re awake.” He scribbled a number on a piece of paper and handed it to her. “Nathan and I will be out of cell phone range. Call Sean if you need anything.”
And before she could ask if everything was okay, he was gone.
***
The barn door swung open and Ashley sighed. Apart from seeing Matthew, the best part of any visit to the Gray ranch had been spending time with their horses. If she could have ridden and mucked out the stalls each day, she would have moved here permanently.
With the bag of cat grits in her hand, she walked toward the far side of the barn. She smiled at the horses neighing gently in their stalls and wondered where the cats were hiding.
“That’s Sandy.”
Ashley jumped and grits scattered across the floor.
“Oops,” said the same high-pitched voice. “I’ll help you pick them up.”
A little girl’s pair of jean-clad legs appeared at the top of the loft ladder.
“I’m Catherine,” the little girl said as she hurried down the ladder. “Who are you?”
Ashley grinned. Catherine had only been four years old when she’d last seen her. Her blond curls had darkened to a honey-gold, but her eyes were still dark brown and full of mischief.
“I’m Ashley Fisher. I’m staying with Matthew and Sean.”
“Dad said Uncle Matthew has a visitor staying with him.” She crouched on the ground and lifted a handful of grits into the bag. “What are you doing with these?”
Ashley knelt on the floor and added more spilled grits to the bag. “Uncle Matthew asked me to feed the cats.”
“They won’t come straight to you. You have to let them know you’re their friend.”
“I’ll remember that. Where is the best place to feed them?”
Catherine stood and looked around the barn. “You could leave them beside the hay bales down here, but one of the ranch hands might step in them. And the horses can’t eat them ‘cause it might make their tummies sore.” Her eyes lifted to the top of the ladder. “You could leave them in the loft. Our cats like it there. It’s warm and cozy.”
Ashley didn’t like heights. It wasn’t that she was scared exactly, just super cautious. She studied the ladder. Even though it was old, it seemed sturdy. Besides, Nathan and Amy wouldn’t let their daughter climb it if it wasn’t safe.
She looked at Catherine, then down at the grits. “Okay, the loft it is. Do you know if there’s a bowl or something we can pour the grits into?”
Catherine nodded. “Mom cleaned them yesterday.” She raced to the tack room and came back with two bright red bowls. “How are you going to carry them up there? You don’t have big pockets.”
Ashley looked around the barn. “I’ll use this.” She picked up an old woolen blanket and wrapped it around her neck, tying a loose knot at the front. It looked like a sling and smelled like a horse, but she didn’t mind.
Catherine handed her the cat grits and smiled. “Here you go. Follow me.” She scooted up the ladder as fast as a bolt of lightning. “Did you know that Aunt Sally gave us three more cats?”
Ashley kept her gaze locked on the ladder. “How many do you have now?”
“Six. They can’t have babies, though.”
The disappointment in her voice was easy to hear. “That’s probably just as well.”
“Mom said the same thing. I’ll show you my secret hiding place,” she whispered. “It’s the best place to feed the cats.”
Catherine held Ashley’s hand as they walked across the loft. Half the floor was stacked high with hay bales. The other side was being used to store furniture, wooden crates, and old wagon wheels.
“We can’t look in the boxes unless dad’s with us,” Catherine said. “Does your dad know you’re here?”
Ashley shook her head. “No. He doesn’t live in Bozeman.”
“Where does he live?”
“In a city called San Francisco. It takes a long time to get there.”
“Oh.” Catherine climbed onto the first row of hay bales and held her finger to her lips. “You have to be quiet. Sometimes the cats sleep in my secret hideaway.”
Ashley followed her pint-sized tour guide over another row of hay bales. When Catherine stopped, she peered over her head. Tucked against the far wall was a small wooden door, almost hidden behind a mound of hay.
Catherine crouched low and slowly opened the door. She beckoned Ashley forward. “Tabitha is asleep. She’s an old cat.”
Ashley took off her sling and filled the two bowls with grits. “Should I leave both bowls in here?”
“No. Leave one on the landing,” Catherine whispered. “Sometimes Grouchy doesn’t like eating with the other cats.”
Ashley looked at the size of the door and doubted whether she could squeeze through. “Can you put this bowl inside the hideaway?”
“Sure,” Catherine said as she carefully took the bowl. “I won’t be long.”
While Catherine placed one bowl in the hideaway, Ashley left the other bowl about six feet away. A black cat with half a missing ear appeared from behind a mound of hay.
“Hi, fella. What’s your name?”
“His name is Bandit. Dad said he’s the best mouser he’s ever seen.”
“That’s high praise coming from your dad. He must have had lots of barn cats living here over the years.”
“Lots and lots,” Catherine said. “But Aunt Sally has got more. Her ranch is like the most amazing zoo in the world.”
Bandit’s teeth made a crunching noise as he ate the bowl of grits.
Catherine pointed to the highest hay bale. “There’s Sissy and Spinach. They’re twins, like Uncle Matthew and Uncle Sean. I’m not sure where Hoppy and Gonzo are, but they won’t be far away.”
“Catherine! Are you in here?”
“That’s my mom,” Catherine said as she moved closer to the ladder. “I’m up here. I found a friend.”
Ashley could only imagine what Amy was thinking. “It’s okay. It’s me, Ashley.”
“We’re feeding the cats,” Catherine said, “but I can’t see Hoppy and Gonzo.”
Amy’s head appeared over the edge of the loft. “They won’t be far away.” She smiled at Ashley and hauled herself onto the platform. “Nathan told me you arrived yesterday. I’m sorry we weren’t here to welcome you.”
The hug that Amy gave her made Ashley’s eyes fill with tears. It had been too long since she’d seen her friend. “I’m sorry I didn’t call as often as I should have.”
“It doesn’t matter. You’re here now.”
Catherine looked at her mom. “Do you know Ashley?”
“We met just before I married your dad.”
“That was a long time ago.”
“It’s gone fast,” Amy said with a smile. “Hoppy’s found breakfast.” She pointed to the bowl beside them.
The cat that Matthew had warned her about was happily eating the grits.
Amy plucked pieces of hay out of Catherine’s hair. “We need to get you to school and Toby to day care.”
Catherine looked up at her mom. “But I’ve just met Ashley.”
“Uncle Matthew said we’re visiting you after dinner tonight. What if I make some muffins and bring them with us?” Ashley said.
The smile on Catherine’s face was instant. “That would be great.”
Ashley peered over the edge of the loft. “I guess we’d better climb down the ladder.”
“Let me go first,” Amy said. “If you follow me, it won’t be so bad.”
Ashley didn’t think anything would make her descent better, but she was willing to give Amy’s suggestion a try. She took a deep breath and watched her friend disappear over the edge of the loft.
“It will be okay,” Catherine said from beside her. “I go up and down the ladder all the time and I’ve only fallen once.”
Ashley swallowed the lump in her throat and wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans. With more determination than courage, she placed her right foot on the top rung of the ladder and started climbing down.
Next time, she would leave the bowls of cat grits on the barn floor.