Page 45 of Traces Of You

“I knew you were coming,” Brooke said. “I’ll talk to you later.”

Reenie turned when the three of them were alone.

“What’s going on?”

“Nothing major. I wanted you to talk to Ash. I doubt you remember him.”

“Not much,” she said. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“The same,” Ash said.

“Under different circumstances though.” Might as well try to make a joke about it, but neither of the men laughed.

“Ash has your number,” Ford said. “Text her now so she knows.”

Ash pulled his phone out and sent the text. “If you need anything, and Clay or Ford aren’t around, I’m your next bet.”

“You live in Glens Falls,” she said. “That’s twenty minutes away.”

“I could still get here fast enough if Ford isn’t available. Clay is almost always around, but doesn’t necessarily check his phone.”

“He is now,” Ford said. “And Dad is on the property too.”

Callum was working with Clay in the mill that she could see. Or on the property on a tractor doing whatever needed to be done this time of year.

“I’ve got everyone’s number. I’m sure things will be fine.”

“And no more walking down when it’s dark out,” he said.

“Clay is a snitch.”

Both men laughed. “Not words you hear often,” Ash said.

“Sorry, that was wrong of me. You’ve all been so nice.”

“Don’t worry,” he said. “Ash, you can go.”

Ash shook his head and walked out, leaving her alone with Ford. Every time they had no witnesses, she had the strongest urge to get closer to him.

To have him put his arm around again.

Touch her shoulder.

Hold her hand.

She couldn’t ask him that.

Wouldn’t even bring it up.

He was protecting her. Watching out for her.

That was probably all he was interested in.

Yet there were times she saw more in his eyes. Not even when he brought up the past.

It was just they’d had so many other things to focus on.

“Do you need anything?” Ford asked. “At the store or in town? You haven’t left once.”