by Jill Snow
At daybreak, she was at the ranch. She needed the unconditional love from the animals. Heading into the stables, she handed out apples and carrots to the horses as she greeted them all. She left Devil, her favorite, for last. The horse had been a right handful when he had first arrived at the ranch. It turned out his previous owner had handled him badly, making him distrust humans. But with time and patience, Ashley had turned him around. He was her biggest triumph. She wished she could afford to buy him, but she didn’t have the type of money Ward, the owner, would ask for. She should have bought him when he threatened to turn Devil into dog food after he threw one guest after another. It wasn’t Devil’s fault. A horse with his background should never be given to newbies to ride.
She was engrossed in patting the horse so didn’t realize she wasn’t alone. It took some time to feel his eyes watching her. She knew it was him before she turned around. He used a fabulous cologne that was enough to send butterflies to her stomach.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude. I couldn’t sleep.”
“With the pain?” she asked, rather stupidly. He must be in agony.
“It’s sore but I was more concerned about having to leave here. I like it.”
“You like the ranch?” What a dumb question. It was obviously better than the alternative of prison, but he seemed genuine.
“Yes. Why is that so surprising?”
“Two months ago, you didn’t know one end of the horse from another. “
“I know, but I’m a quick learner. I’ve always loved animals. The last few years have been so busy, there’s been no time for anything else. Coming here was the best thing to happen me.”
Ashley could understand how he felt. After all, she loved coming here too. Not working with the guests, but spending time looking after the cattle and the rest of the chores.
“If I lived somewhere like this, I don’t think I would ever leave.”
“You know the owner never comes here.”
“Really? How could you own something like this and not want to enjoy it?” Adam asked incredulously.
“Well, it’s not the only one he owns. He has several.”
“Oh. I didn’t know.”
“Not many people do. He has different companies. I guess for tax reasons or something. I am not very up on all that stuff.” She didn’t want to admit they were about to lose their home and tax was only an issue when you made money.
“Well, I guess people don’t value what they have until it’s taken away from them. Took me a long time to understand the phrase ‘be careful what you wish for’.”
Chapter 24
“Why?” she asked as they walked together driving the horses out to their pasture.
“I always wanted to be famous. You know like Sting or U2. I thought they had such a glamorous lifestyle. Us, we grew up in a poor area. We were luckier than most as my dad had a steady job, but there was no money for extras. I thought once the money was no longer an issue, life would be happier.”
“I can’t imagine a billionaire not being happy,” Ashley said without thinking. Cringing, she couldn’t look at him. Now he would know she had looked him up.
“Yes, I can understand that. It’s what I thought,” Adam said, his dejected tone making her look at him closer. He was staring at something in the distance or maybe he was just thinking. Golly, he was gorgeous. Better looking in real life than his pictures on the internet, and that was saying something. The scruffy look, as her mom called it, suited him. The beard and the tousled hair. He turned and caught her looking at him, a gentle expression in his dark eyes.
“Sorry, pity party is over. I swear.”
“It’s okay. We all have something we wish we had done differently. When did you first make it famous?”
“Hard to know really. The papers called us an overnight success but that was after years of playing gigs in half-empty pubs and clubs. Then U2 offered us a chance to open one of their concerts. It took off from there really.” Adam spoke as they walked. “I was lucky. Conor Dunne, one of my older brother’s best friends, had been successful in business. He told us how and where to invest the money we made. He kept saying the music business is fickle and we had to invest for the future. We bought some houses when Dublin was booming and other stuff. He was right.”
“About the investments?”
“No about the music business being fickle. One minute you’re everyone’s darling, the next they all hate you and wish you were dead.”
“Can you blame them?”
“What?”
“After what you did? How could you do something like that? Don’t you know drugs ruin lives? Not only for those who take them, but the families left behind.” Dismayed at her tears and lack of control, Ashley stalked off hoping he wouldn’t come after her. She was disappointed. He caught up with her quickly.
“Ashley, are you okay? I’m sorry, I didn’t think.”
“Now or back when you smuggled the drugs?”
He opened his mouth as if to say something but stayed silent. His eyes stared at her. But she couldn’t understand what he as trying to communicate. She walked off.
Chapter 25
Adam let her leave. He had to. There was no way to explain what had happened without blowing his cover and that would jeopardize the whole operation. He couldn’t do that. He’d made a promise and one thing he’d learned after the crazy years in the pop industry was he only had his word. Everything else was fleeting.
He wished he had never met Ashley, but immediately regretted thinking it. She was an incredible woman. She was strong, feisty, not scared to stand up for herself or what she felt was right. She was…real. That was the word for her. There wasn’t anything fake about her. She didn’t even dye her hair. She was so different from the women he had dated over the past few years. Women who didn’t give two cents for anyone but themselves. They were more concerned with how they looked, how much they earned and how many views their selfies got on the various social network sites. Until Camilla. He really thought she was different, but she’d been the worst of them.
How come he hadn’t seen what she was like until it was almost too late? His parents hated her from the minute he had introduced them at some after-gig party. Caitlin refused to be in the same room as her. His brothers tolerated her but even Nathan, the most laid back of them, ended up avoiding her. Yet Adam had been totally infatuated with her. He’d even thought of proposing.
“Adam, earth to Adam.” Mack’s voice interrupted his musings.
“Sorry Mack. I was miles away.”
“You certainly were. I was shouting at you. You got a call. I told them you would ring back. The missus is expecting you. She made cookies.”
“Thank you, Mack.”
Adam headed toward Mack’s home. His wife was an incredible lady. She had such an enthusiasm for life. Her wheelchair prevented her from doing lots of things, but she refused to let it imprison her. She idolized her husband who, in return, adored her. It made him think of his ma and da. He couldn’t wait until this was all over and he could explain to them. He could tell them the truth and maybe after his ma hit him a few times with her wooden spoon, she would give him a hug.
“Detective Anderson, sorry I wasn’t here earlier. Did Mack explain my problem?”
“He did but he also said he could carry you for a few weeks until you get better or we come get you.”
Adam smiled. He was glad to hear he wouldn’t have to leave.
“You there, Malone?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Any sign of the press?”
“No sir. Seems I’ve flown under the radar.”
“For now but keep your wits about you. Don’t take any chances, you understand?”
“Like heading down to the local town and performing live?”
“It’s not a joke kid. You may be in deeper than you think.”
“Sorry.” Adam didn’t like being called a kid. He may look nineteen, but he was twenty-six already.
/> “I’ll call you in a week or so. Hang tight.”
“Yes, sir.” Adam hung up. Mrs. McDonough was waiting in the kitchen when he came out of the living room. “Thanks for the cell.”
“No problem. Want some cookies now?”
“Yes, please. My stomach is about to start growling.”
The morning passed slowly. He enjoyed hanging out with Charity. She clearly loved the ranch and the people in it as much as her husband, Mack, did. She didn’t know much about the owner, but her facial expressions spoke volumes. Clearly, the man didn’t care about anything but the bottom line. She was fed up with the burden he placed on Mack. “My husband isn’t getting any younger, Adam. He’s a fine man but one of these days the work will get to him. I have tried telling him he needs to slow down but he has selective deafness. Won’t even listen to Ashley.”
“He’s very close to her isn’t he?”
“Yes, she’s like a daughter to both of us. God didn’t bless us with children of our own. Ashley is part of our family. Poor kid. Life has been tough on her.”
“She mentioned her sister.”
“Kayleigh was a stubborn young thing. Still, she didn’t deserve to die so young. Her mom hasn’t forgiven Ashley, which is just ridiculous. It had nothing to do with the poor girl.”
Adam stayed quiet. He didn’t know the story and hopefully by staying silent Charity would fill him in. But she fell quiet. She seemed to realize it wasn’t her story to tell.
Adam didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable. “I best be getting back. There must be something I can do one-handed.”
“Mack has some painting jobs. You might be able to manage them in a couple of days but for now, you should rest. The swelling is nasty. Ask Loretta for one of her cures. She is a great believer in traditional medicines.”
“Thank you, Charity.”
“Adam, call back another time and chat. Please. It gets lonely out here with Mack gone all day. I don’t like to bother people but it’s nice to have a conversation once in a while.”
“I’d love to. Thank you.”
He nicked a cookie on his way out to munch as he made his way back to the big house.
Chapter 26
Ashley drove Adam back to the hospital a few days later. They hadn’t seen each other since their conversation in the barn. Loretta had insisted Adam rest his hand and she’d treated it with various pastes and even the doctor was impressed at how much the swelling had cleared.
“I am going to re x-ray it. The break might not be as bad as we suspected.”
Ashley waited again. There was no point in heading back to the ranch and then coming back. She sat leafing through a magazine she’d picked up in the store. She didn’t even notice Adam until he was standing next to her.
“Finished?”
“All done. Only one finger is broken. See?” He held up his hand showing her the two fingers splinted together. “What are you reading?”
“Oh, some trashy magazine. Just to pass the time.”
He glanced at the article she’d been reading. There was Camilla, draped all over the arm of her latest victim. He could just imagine what the article had said.
“Are you ready to go?” Ashley asked, her face pinking up as she threw the magazine in the trash can.
“Yes. You?”
“Absolutely, I am not a fan of hospitals.”
He didn’t comment. He presumed it had to do with her sister. He followed her out to her truck.
“Want to grab lunch first?” she asked.
“Best not. Loretta probably has something waiting.” He hated refusing, but he couldn’t afford to be spotted in town. Anderson had told him to keep a low profile. He glanced at her expression but it was unreadable.
“I would love to have lunch with you, only not today. Okay?”
“Sure, it’s fine. It was only a suggestion.”
Great, he had hurt her feelings. She was back to being prickly again. He didn’t know what to say. It wasn’t like he could explain.
The drive passed in uncomfortable silence. Once they pulled up outside the house, he thanked her again. She just nodded and drove off. No chit-chat.
Ashley parked her truck, furious with herself. Why had she asked him out? It was obvious he was in a totally different league from her. He was rich, famous, gorgeous. What could he possibly see in her? But it wasn’t like a date. She’d been hungry. Hadn’t she? She berated herself over and over as she headed into the barn. It was her turn to muck out the stalls. She kept muttering to herself until she almost walked into Henry, the ranch hand.
“Hi, gorgeous. Fed up of playing nursemaid? Want to hang out with a real guy instead?”
“Go away, Henry.”
“Well, that’s charming. If you’re this cold to all the guys, it’s no wonder you’re still single.” He moved closer to her. She backed up, which was a mistake as it left her nowhere else to go.
“Say why don’t I kiss you right here? See if we can’t get some warmth in your bones.” He grinned.
“Have you been drinking?”
“Nope.”
“You have. I can smell it. Mack will have a fit.”
“Mack won’t know unless you go telling tales. But you won’t do that will you, sweetheart?”
“Stop calling me that,” she insisted. “I’m not anyone’s sweetheart.”
“That’s just because you like playing the ice maiden but we all know you’re just the same as every other girl.”
She grabbed the broom from behind her and, before he had a chance to do anything, brought it up and hit him where it hurt.
“Maybe you should go play in some ice now cutie pie,” she said sweetly.
She stormed off, but not before she heard muffled laughter. It seemed Henry had an audience neither of them knew about. She was furious. Of all the…
“You okay Ashley? You look a little stressed,” Bill asked.
“Fine. But you might want to check on Henry.”
Chapter 27
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 sniff
ed. 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.
