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“Yeah. Looking back, it’s a good thing we didn’t have kids with each other. He moved out, drained our bank account, and I got laid off from work two weeks later.”

“I’m sorry. But just because you couldn’t get pregnant with him doesn’t mean…”

Ashley holds up a hand. “Look, dude, I’m pausing the whole baby-making journey. It will either happen in a loving relationship or on my own with intervention. I can’t even afford myself right now, so I’m not trying to get knocked up.”

I start to reply, but she keeps talking, her words coming so quickly that they jumble together.

“I’m also not trying to trap anyone into being my free sperm donor. There’s zero chance I can get pregnant since I’m not close to ovulation. Trust me. I know.”

And whether or not I should, I believe her.

Trust her.

“Thanks for explaining,” I reply, “And I’m sorry for everything you’re going through.”

“What’s life other than managing setbacks? It feels like the world is out to get me, but it isn’t. And in a few years, everything will be fine and I’ll have moved on from all of this nonsense. Maybe I’ll even be married with children. Who knows. But I won’t be here.”

In Ashley’s situation, I can understand not wanting to be anywhere close to Montana. People have long memories, and she’d be dealing with everyone whispering about her forever.

I stopped giving a shit about what people think a long time ago, but I’ve also never had what must feel like an entire town against me.

She climbs off my lap and as I lose the heat and comfort of her body on mine, I immediately wish things could be different. I wish she never left. I wish she was staying now.

But wishing never got anyone anywhere.

At the very least, when she leaves this time we won’t have bad blood between us. That’s an improvement and I’ll take it.

“I’ve been thinking about the black Chevy,” she says, making her way to the kitchen and pouring two glasses of water. “Even if I made a list of enemies, I’m sure a good chunk of them would have that vehicle.”

“It won’t be easy to narrow down,” I agree. “We’ll head back into town tomorrow. The roads will be busy today with people thinking everything is fine, and I’d rather wait a day.”

“We’re so isolated here,” Ashley whispers.

I shrug. “I’m a good shot. Don’t worry.” Now I get up, too, and take one of the glasses of water, draining it in one sip. “I’m going to make some calls.”

“I’ll go read in the bedroom.”

It brings a smile to my face, and I’m not surprised that escaping into books is still her go-to way to pass the time.

I call Henry, catching him up on what’s happening so he’s aware. As I suspected, there’s nothing he can do about a truck turning around in Ashley’s driveway regardless of us both knowing why it was there.

“Do you want me to send some deputies to drive by?” Henry asks.

“I appreciate it, but you guys must be swamped,” I reply. “Don’t worry, I’ve got things covered. If she was out here alone, then definitely. But I’m with her, and she’s coming back to the ranch with me.”

Henry is silent as he switches gears from being a cop to being my buddy. Everyone is going to have an opinion on my new role in Ashley’s life. But I don’t even know what we’re doing, so I’m not about to try and explain or defend myself.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” he asks.

“Yeah.”

“Gavin–”

“Thanks for everything and we’ll talk soon, okay?”

I disconnect the line and make three more calls: my dad, Bobby and then Cameron. Not surprisingly, no one thinks bringing Ashley back to the ranch is the right thing to do, but if I leave her here alone and something terrible happens to her that I could have prevented, I won’t be able to live with myself.

Besides, she won’t be in the state much longer anyway.