by Karin Beery
“I appreciate your concern, but I’m sure about this.”
Jess’ eyebrows pinched together, shadowing her eyes. If she started crying, he might actually run.
Instead, she sighed, her face sinking into a half-pout, half-frown. “I wish we’d met a year later, when my life wasn’t such a mess, and I wasn’t so …”
“Crazy?”
To his relief, she smiled. “I’ve always appreciated your honesty.”
“Then you should believe me when I say I know what I’m doing.” As if on cue, Ashley stepped around the corner of the courthouse. Beautiful salvation. “Excuse me, Jess. I’m going to see my fiancé.”
*******
Ashley snapped another picture of the cracked brick, careful to keep Jess and Russ out of the shot. Jess smiled. She could have been in a toothpaste commercial. Russ said something, then looked at Ashley. His chest expanded, and he headed toward her. She might not have a Hollywood smile, but at least he was walking in her direction.
“Russ!” Jess said. He looked back at her. “I’ll be in town for a while.” He tipped his chin at her before continuing toward Ashley.
She put the camera to her eye and zoomed in on a tree branch before panning the lens across Jess’ face. No one should be that beautiful without discernable make-up. She waved at Ashley, then headed toward the parking lot. The camera nearly slipped out of her hands. Good thing she wasn’t scheduled for any stakeouts.
Refocusing her attention on Russ, she tried to ignore the puffs of breath that crystalized in front of her. She should have brought gloves and a hat.
Russ sauntered toward her.
“How’s Jess?” she asked.
“Good, I guess. Apparently she’s in town for a while.”
“Is everything okay between you two?”
“There’s not anything between us.”
“Do you think you’ll see her again while she’s here?”
“I’m not planning to, but it’s a small town.”
True. Whatever Jess was planning, Ashley wouldn’t worry about it. After all, Russ was standing with her, not the catalog-ready model.
The aroma of grilled beef wafted over from the nearby bar, and Ashley’s mouth watered. “Do you want to get dinner?”
“Sure. Where can I take you?”
“I asked you. My treat.”
Russ offered his arm. “I’m afraid I can’t allow that.”
“Keeping chivalry alive?”
“That, and my mom would never stop lecturing me if she found out.”
“Do you think she’d find out?”
“After everything that’s happened, you have to ask?” His phone dinged. “That’s probably her now.”
“I’ll get it.” Ashley reached into his coat pocket and pulled out his phone. She slid her finger across the screen.
Just checking to see if this number still works. Jess
CHAPTER 25
Ashley pulled Russ’ sweatshirt over her head as she shuffled down the hall. Light slipped out from beneath the bathroom door, accompanied by the muffled rush of water. She skipped down the stairs as laughter and applause sounded from the family room.
Kathleen sat on the couch knitting while a classic rerun filled the TV screen. “You look comfy. Going to join me for a little late-night TV?”
Ashley looked at the clock. “I don’t think nine o’clock qualifies as late night, but I’d love to.” She settled on the far end of the couch and draped a blanket over her lap.
Kathleen chuckled. “My husband slept with the sun during the summer, but in the winter he was in bed by nine. It was a rare evening when that man saw double digits.”
“Wasn’t that hard with kids?”
“Not at all. When they were little, they were in bed before he was, and if anyone ever woke up early, he’d take them out to do chores with him.”
“Did they like it?”
“Carrie and Liz didn’t care for it, but Rachel enjoyed working in the barn.” The gentle clack of her knitting needles slowed. “Then there was Russ. He would get so mad when he missed going out with his dad. You know you’ve got a farmer on your hands when a seven-year-old gets up at six a.m. to catch a ride to the orchard.”
“Russ always wanted to run the farm?”
“I wouldn’t say that. He was more fascinated by the trees than the production and selling.” Kathleen dropped her hands in her lap and stared out the front window. “Tom loved going to the markets, working with the local restaurant and business owners. I’m not sure what Russ will do without him.”
“What about your daughters? Don’t any of them work the farm?”
“Carrie and Liz didn’t get the bug, I’m afraid. For a while, I thought Rachel might stick with it.”
“Isn’t that unusual?”
“Sometimes. Carrie’s my planner, and she never liked the financial uncertainty of the farm. We were older when Liz was born, and my husband adored having a little princess. He’d take her out to work with him, but he loved going to her dance recitals and taking her to see shows. As much as he loved the farm, it can be a hard life, and he wanted something easier for her.”
“What happened with Rachel?”
“Kids.” Kathleen shook her head, but she smiled. “Rachel loves the farm, but she and Chad started their family when she was nineteen. She wanted to stay home with them. Chad has worked with us since he and Rachel started dating in high school, but that boy is wasting his talent.”
“How’s that?”
“He has a master’s degree in journalism.”
“Really?”
Kathleen swiveled toward Ashley. “That boy is brilliant. He started taking college classes in high school and has been taking online classes ever since. He’s a fantastic writer, but he’s also crazy in love with my daughter. He moved to town his freshman year in high school and waited about a week to ask her out. My husband wouldn’t let the girls date until they were sixteen, so Chad applied to work on the farm.” She laughed. “It worked. My husband offered Chad full-time work as soon as they graduated. Then the kids got married, started having their own kids, and Chad never left.”
“He got stuck in a rut and couldn’t get out.” Ashley could relate.
“He’s given everything to help save our farm. Have you met Jay yet?”
Ashley shook her head.
“He went to school with Carrie, and for a while, we thought he might join the family, but he only joined us in the orchards. The thing is, he doesn’t need to work if he doesn’t want to. His wife is an attorney, and she could take care of them. But he’s like Russ and Tom. He has the trees in his blood.”
Would that be enough to keep the farm running, though? Maybe Ashley could learn to love the farm, to make it her own. She could help with the books. She wouldn’t need to be up before dawn for that.
Footsteps thundered in the foyer, and Russ walked into the family room, his wet hair brushing the collar of his flannel shirt. “Can I get you two anything before bed?”
Ashley waited for the punch line, but Russ’ serious expression didn’t crack. A nine o’clock bedtime for her nearly-forty-year-old fiancé? The realization made her laugh. “I’m not going to bed anytime soon. Would you like me to get you anything?”
“I’ll grab myself a snack, then I’ll see you in the morning.”
Kathleen set her yarn and needles in a bag on the floor. “I should probably head up. I’m leaving early tomorrow to babysit Kristy. A whole day with her Maw-Maw. I can hardly wait.” She dropped a kiss on Ashley’s head on her way out. “Don’t make too much noise down here.”
“Good night, Kathleen.”
“Night, Mom.” As soon as she disappeared around the corner, Russ tousled Ashley’s hair. “She must like you.”
“How do you know?”
“She’s leaving you alone with her son. That’s basically her stamp of approval.”
“No, she has to get up early—”
“Trust me. That woman will sit up in her
bed reading until midnight. You’re good.”
He strolled into the kitchen. Ashley craned her neck to follow his tall, lean frame. So handsome, so put together—he did a great job hiding the stress of Tom’s death, but she knew it was there. It pressed on her too. Maybe she could help. She kicked off the blanket and followed him. “Have you had any luck finding the documents Rob needs?” she asked.
“I haven’t found anything at the office yet.”
“Did Tom keep any paperwork at the house?”
Russ shut the refrigerator, a carton of orange juice in his hand. “Maybe. There are some boxes in his closet.”
“Would it be okay if I looked through them? Maybe I can find something that will help.”
He leaned against the counter, swigging from the container. “It would be nice to have copies of everything to give to Rob. It shouldn’t matter after we’re married, but I’d like to get all of this legal stuff sorted out in case anything else happens.”
“Then let me help. I’ll look through his boxes and see what I can find.” She waited for an okay, but Russ simply stared at her. Nervous willies crawled over her skin. “What?”
“You look good in my sweatshirt.” He took another long drink, then tossed the empty carton in the sink. “I’ll get the boxes, and we can get to work.”
*******
A thin layer of paperwork covered the dining-room table—folders, envelopes, receipts, napkins, and Post-its. Ashley’s head hurt. Tom was the organized one?
Something tickled her thigh. She jumped, brushing off her leg.
“You okay?”
Her pocket buzzed again. “I forgot my phone was on vibrate.”
“It’s kind of late for a phone call.”
Ashley checked the clock and frowned. “It’s only ten, but even I don’t call people this late.” She didn’t recognize the number, but it was from her aunt and uncle’s area code. “Hello?”
“Hi, sweetheart, it’s Aunt Rose.”
Warm memories wrapped around Ashley. “It’s good to hear your voice. I almost didn’t answer the phone. Where are you calling from?”
“Now, I don’t want you to worry, but I’m at the hospital—”
Icy teeth bit into Ashley’s spine. “What happened? Are you okay? Is it Uncle John? Which hospital? I’ll fly out first thing in the morning.”
“Calm down. We’re okay. That’s why I started with ‘I don’t want you to worry.’ ”
As if that would keep the fear away. “Aunt Rose?”
“Your uncle had a small accident, but he’s fine.”
“He’s obviously not fine, or you wouldn’t be calling from the hospital!” What kind of accident? How small was small? Ashley’s hand shook as she held the phone to her ear.
A warm hand covered hers, and the phone slid out from her grip. Russ pressed a button, then set the phone on the table. “Is this Rose?” he asked.
“Oh, uh, yes. Who’s this?”
“I’m Ashley’s friend, Russ. She’s a little shaken up, so I put you on speaker phone.”
“Oh, thank you. Now, everything’s okay, so calm down. John was out walking tonight, and he stepped off the curb wrong and broke his ankle. We’re at the hospital getting him fitted for a walking cast.”
“He’s eighty years old. Why was he out walking by himself?”
“Ashley Elaine Johnson, we are old, not decrepit.”
Russ snorted.
Ashley glared at him.
“I’ll go get us something to drink.” He squeezed Ashley’s shoulder and headed toward the kitchen. The silent gesture pulled a bit of the tension out of the situation.
“Are you still there, sweetheart?”
“Yes, I’m here. I’m trying to recover from a near heart attack.”
“Well, don’t you blame that on me. I told you everything was fine.”
“After you told me you were at the hospital!” She sucked in a crazed breath. “I love you, Aunt Rose, but sometimes I think you and Uncle John are trying to age me.”
“Pish posh. I wanted to let you know what’s going on, that’s all.”
“Which ankle did he break?”
“Oh, I’m not sure.”
Wait a minute. “How did you get to the hospital?”
“I should probably go see how—”
“Aunt Rose! Your license was revoked. You’re not supposed to be driving, especially at night!” The thought of the two of them driving through town made Ashley’s eye twitch. “How long will he be in the cast?”
“Four weeks. The doctor says it’s a hairline fracture. If John would agree to stay off his foot, he wouldn’t need the cast, but you know your uncle.”
“How are you going to get around until then?”
“We’ll be fine. I can still drive during the day.”
“You’re not supposed to.”
“There are plenty of people in the community who can take us around.”
That was probably true, but Ashley didn’t trust her independent aunt and uncle to conform to someone else’s schedule. Besides, she couldn’t leave her family in the hands of strangers. “I’ll fly down there as soon as I can.”
“You’ll do no such thing.”
“You don’t have a choice. You and Uncle John have always taken care of me. Let me take care of you for a while.”
Rose sniffled. “Oh, Ashley.” No doubt she would’ve figured out how to survive for the next month, but she couldn’t hide the relief in her voice.
“Let me find a flight. I’ll leave a message at your house with all the details.”
“It won’t be any trouble for you, will it?”
“Not at all. I can help you around the house and be back before I start working with the photographer. I have some transcribing to do, but I can bring that with me.”
“Sweetheart, we’ll get to spend Thanksgiving together.”
Ashley smiled. “When the doctor discharges Uncle John, take a cab home. We’ll pick up your car when I get there. Got it?”
“I promise. I can’t wait to see you again.”
“Me too. I’ll call you as soon as I book my flight.” As Ashley hung up, Russ returned with a steaming mug of hot cocoa. “Thank you.”
“My mom always made it for my sisters when they had bad break-ups. I thought it might work in this situation too.”
“Good instincts.” She wrapped her fingers around the mug, holding it close and savoring the sweet aroma.
Russ pulled out the chair beside her. “Do you think they’ll need your help?”
“It wouldn’t be such a big deal if my aunt could drive, but her eyes are bad, so her driver’s license was revoked. My uncle takes her everywhere. I don’t care what she says, I know they won’t sit still.”
Russ leaned back into the chair. “I’ll drive you to the airport in the morning.”
“But the wedding.”
“We’ll postpone it.”
The tension in her spine eased. “You’re okay with that?”
“They’re your family. You have to go.”
“I could leave right after the wedding.”
He shook his head. “Not unless you want to leave a day or two later. My family won’t want to miss it, and if they show up, there’ll be food and a party, and they usually have this brunch the next day. My sisters’ weddings took days. You should go tomorrow. Your family needs you.”
She should’ve been grateful but his ease with the situation unnerved her. “I’ll agree to postpone if you tell me why you’re not concerned about it. What if I go to Florida and change my mind?”
His eyebrows popped up. “Are you going to change your mind?”
“Four weeks is a long time. Anything could happen.”
“Yep, but we’re committed, my mom likes you, and we told my sisters. Besides, this is a practical decision, remember? Convenience.”
“True.” But it sounded cold when he said it out loud. Ashley sipped her cocoa, hoping it would warm her nerves. Was she flattered or ann
oyed by his confidence?
Russ took the mug from her hands, gazing into it as he set it on the table. When he looked back at her, he smiled. “Sometimes, in the right light, the centers of your eyes are the same color as the hot chocolate.” The smile brightened his face, highlighting his strong jawline and deep eyes. She’d never had a man so handsome stare at her with such intensity.
“I’m not worried about you coming back,” he said, holding her hands in his. The callouses on his fingers rubbed across her soft palms, tickling her skin and heart. “And don’t worry about me. I’ll be here when you get back.”
“But will you still feel the same way?”
“This isn’t about feelings.”
“I mean, will you feel the same way about the arrangement?”
The corner of his mouth twitched. “I know what you mean.”
“So we’re good?”
“Yes.”
That single syllable made her want to stay. Everything about him—his eyes, his honesty, his gentleness—pulled at her heart. “I promise I’ll come back if you want me to.”
He cupped her cheek with his hand, brushing his thumb across her bottom lip. As Russ leaned forward, Ashley held her breath until his lips touched hers. Soft, gentle. She melted, pressing his hand against her face and holding onto his confidence.
He pulled away slowly, breaking the kiss, but staying close. “I want you to come back.” Her lips curled up, unable to hide her relief. He quickly kissed her smiling lips. “I’ll get my laptop, and we can find you a flight. I’ll take care of my family. You take care of yours.”
“You’re amazing.”
“I want you to remember that in four weeks.”
“I will.”
He kissed her again before slipping away. She missed him already. How would she survive the next month?
Something dinged. Ashley lifted stacks of papers until she found Russ’ phone. Who would be texting him that late? The teeth returned to her spine. It had to be another emergency.
She checked his phone, ready for bad news.
Good news. Will b in town thru Xmas. Hope 2 c u. Jess
Worse.
CHAPTER 26