The flight to Austin was a little over ten hours. Silence had encompassed us during the majority of the flight. What Ash had failed to tell me earlier was that good old Tim had also paid for Ben to come out with him. How charming. I was pleased Ben was with us but also fuming that I was seemingly on my own as Ash turned to Ben for comfort.
We trundled our way through the airport towards the exit, my stomach turning into a complicated mixture of gnarled knots as I braced myself for meeting Tim once again. He was picking us up from the airport and the closer it came to seeing him, the more nauseous I felt. My mind had replayed that night over and over again, refusing to let it go.
Walking through the doors outside, there he was, leaning up against his big black truck, legs crossed at the ankles as he chewed on gum. He looked far from the grief stricken husband he should be. His panther-like green eyes settled on me and a depraved smirk spread across his face.
“Well, hello there.”
Hearing his lazy Texan drawl once again sent shivers down my spine. Ash gave him a man hug before introducing Ben. I stayed well back, letting Ash steal the show. The less attention that man had on me, the better.
Ash turned to me, his eyes glowering. “Kyra?”
I nodded, sighing. “Hi.”
Tim broke out into a huge smile. “Hello, dear. Good to see you again.”
He took a step forwards, his arms outstretched. I glanced at Ash, who narrowed his eyes at me. I had little choice but to accept Tim’s hands wrapping around me in a supposed hug. Patting his back in my half-assed attempt at a hug back, his hands dropped to my lower back.
“You look good.”
His whisper covered me in chills, and I stepped back. He let his hands wander around my hips before allowing us to get in the truck. I chewed on my lip and kept my thoughts to myself. I was well aware Ash was watching my every move like I was a naughty child or something.
The half an hour drive back to the ranch was quiet on my behalf. Ash took pleasure in catching Tim up on all his adventures of late. As we turned down the dusty road to the guest quarters, my stomach turned itself inside out. Why was he putting us down here and not in the main house?
Part of their business had been running a dude ranch. The log cabins for the guests were on the other side of the ranch to the main house. It was easily a mile long walk from one side of the grounds to the other. Again, I kept my thoughts to myself, not wanting any more upset with Ash.
Pulling up in front of the U-shaped collection of cabins, Tim informed Ash and Ben they would be sleeping in cabin number two whilst I would be in number eleven. The furthest point from them. A horrid feeling of unease settled inside me. Brushing it aside, I took my luggage inside, making sure to shut the door behind me.
I looked around the cosy setting, quite liking the rustic theme. An open fire dominated one wall whilst a king-size bed took centre of attention. The bathroom suite was large, airy, and all sparkling white marble. I smiled, thinking to myself how this could actually be enjoyable if it wasn’t for the letch who owned it.
Starting to unpack my stuff, I jumped as Ash burst through the door.
“Stop being so damn rude.”
I crossed my arms over my chest, glaring at him. “I’m not being rude. I’m being civil.”
“You’re being rude, Kyra. Get over yourself already.”
My jaw dropped open. “You’re unbelievable.”
“No, you’re unbelievable. The man just lost his wife for goodness sake.”
I snorted. “I’m well aware of that. She was my mum, remember.”
His dark eyes hardened over. “Not that you treated her like one for the past couple of years.”
I gasped as he slammed the door shut behind him. I couldn’t understand his behaviour at all. Starting to feel the effects of being alone, I crawled into bed and curled up into a ball. I drifted off into a deep sleep, my dreams playing me scenes of Paul and me together.
A gentle shoving startled me awake. I looked up to see Ash leaning over me.
“It’s tea time. Are you coming?”
I blinked my sleep away before nodding. Waking from sweet dreams of Paul to then walk outside to a living nightmare was quite a stark contrast. Still, if those dreams of Paul were to continue, at least I had some comfort.