His Winter Rose and Apple Blossom Bride (28 page)

“They’re here. I’ll bring them. Can you make it to the car or do you need help in those boots?”

“I’ll wait for you,” she said, so softly he barely heard.

She sounded terrified. Utterly unlike Ashley.

Frowning, Michael removed the keys, locked the doors, then turned to grasp her elbow. “Okay, let’s go. Tati must be wondering what’s taking so long.”

“Tati. Yes.” She hurried along beside him, glancing over one shoulder, then the other as if expecting something to jump out of the bush.

He helped her inside his car and closed the door. A shot of surprise filled him when she quickly locked it. Something was definitely wrong. Michael unlocked his door, climbed inside, glad for once of Tatiana’s chatty voice.

“Did you get pushed in the snow? Wanda says lots of people will have trouble in this storm. She says people never drive with the proper equ—” She paused. “What’s the word, Daddy?”

“Equipment.”

“Yes. Equipment. Anyway, that’s what Wanda says. Is that what happened to you, Ashley?” Tati leaned forward, tapped her on the shoulder when no immediately answer was forthcoming.

“Uh, yes. I guess it is.” Though Ashley managed a smile, her color had still not returned.

“We passed a number of people who’d gone off the road and there are only two tow trucks in Serenity Bay so you’ll have a bit of a wait. But you’re welcome to stay with us as long as you like,” he told her, concentrating on turning the slippery corner. “I’m sure you’ll want to phone Piper and let her and Jason know you’re okay.”

“They’re out of town.”

“Oh. Well, good thing we came along then.”

“Yes, it is. I tried my cell but it wouldn’t work.” She huddled in the corner as if afraid he’d bite.

“Service is iffy when you get down in the valley here,” Michael explained, unable to rid himself of the feeling that something else had happened to shake that reserved manner she usually clung to like a cloak. “We’ll be home in a minute. You can call the service station from there.”

“Thanks.”

Tati chatted about her day the rest of the way home, leaving little space for any other discussion. Michael hit the remote for the garage door, then pulled inside, glad to be off the road.

“We made it.” He climbed out, helped Tati down from her seat. By then Ashley was out of the car, standing beside him. “Come on inside.”

He unlocked the door for them before rescuing the pan of lasagne his mother had placed in a box in the trunk. After sliding it into the oven and setting the temperature as she’d directed, he shed his coat, helped Ashley out of hers and hung all three on the pegs by the door. Tati’s boots took a little longer. By the time he had them off Ashley had slid her feet out of her own smooth calf-leather footwear. Her feet were bare.

Michael grabbed a pair of his socks from the laundry room.

“You’d better put these on or your toes will freeze on these cold floors.”

She didn’t argue. “Thanks.”

“The phone’s over here. The number is on the wall above it. At least that’s the one I’ve used. The book is in the drawer if you’d rather try someone else.”

“I have an auto club,” she told him. She drew her wallet out of her bag, took out the card and dialed the number on the back. She gave the information then turned to him. “I don’t know where to tell them I am,” she said quietly.

“I’ll explain.” He took the phone, gave the directions then asked that the truck call them just before arrival so they could meet it. “How long?”

“At least a couple of hours, I’d imagine. We’ve got a whole list before you. Everyone’s working as fast as they can.”

“Okay, thanks.” He handed the phone back to Ashley who spoke for a moment then hung up. “All right?”

“Yes, thank you. She said to expect a long wait.” She looked at him through her lashes, her gray eyes shaded. “I’m sorry to intrude on your evening like this, Michael.”

“Don’t be silly. My mother sent supper. I’ll just get the rest of my stuff from the car and when everything’s ready we’ll eat. Tati, you show Ashley the living room. Maybe she’d like to watch the news.”

“I don’t like news. I like to paint. Do you want to see my paintings, Ashley?”

“I’d love to.”

At least she’d warmed up to his daughter, Michael mused as he lugged in the groceries he’d stocked up on. His mother had insisted on sending along a full meal. Garlic bread, a Caesar salad, fresh blueberry pie and a bag of lemon coconut cookies for Tati. A perfect dinner and no cooking.

As Michael set the pie at the back of the stove to warm, he glanced into the living room. Ashley was seated on the floor, a crayon in her hand as she followed Tatiana’s directions for drawing a butterfly. Whatever had bothered her out there seemed to be gone now.

Tati switched on the lamp and it shone down on their guest’s blond head. A burgundy turtleneck hugged her curves. She wore matching wool slacks. When she moved, a faint tinkling at her waist drew his attention to the golden belt cinched around it.

Ashley was every bit as gorgeous as he’d remembered her. Better than that, she was at his home for dinner and couldn’t leave even if she wanted to.

Michael smiled at the irony.

But his smile quickly disappeared when she rose, went to the windows and pushed aside the drapes to peer outside into the yard. So she wasn’t totally in control. Which meant that she was still afraid. He made up his mind to find out what had caused this reaction.

“Dinner’s ready. Wash your hands, Tati.”

His daughter grumbled all the way to the bathroom, but she skipped back happily enough, presenting her palms for him to sniff. “I used soap,” she told him.

“I can smell it. Good girl. Ashley, have a seat there, if you’d like.”

“Thanks.”

“We hold hands to say grace. Is that okay?”

Ashley said nothing but when he stretched out his hand, she paused before sliding hers into it. Her skin felt like silk against his work-roughened fingers. He tried not to notice when she grasped Tati’s little mitt with no apparent hesitation.

“God is great, God is good. And we thank him for this food. Amen.”

The words barely left Tati’s mouth before Ashley tugged her hand out of his, her cheeks a bright pink.

“We haven’t got any food to eat, Daddy.”

Michael gulped, told himself to get a grip. He rose, slid the lasagne from the oven and set it in the middle of the table.

“If you can reach the salad, Ashley, I’ll get the garlic bread.”

She placed the salad on the table, then smoothed her napkin in her lap. Michael passed her the bread, then began serving the lasagne.

“How did you go off the road?” he asked to break the silence.

“A truck was behind me. It was following too close so I edged over to let it pass. When it passed me it kicked up snow flurries and I lost sight of the road. By the time I realized I was off-kilter, the damage had already been done. I slid off.”

“A big red truck?” he asked. “Wheels high up off the ground?”

She nodded, wide eyes luminous. “How did you know?”

“Tommy Cliburn. He just got his license. For some reason his parents thought that truck would keep him safe.” Michael watched her pick at her food, noticed that the color in her cheeks had returned to its usual pale translucence. “You do realize that you can’t keep driving that car in the winter?”

“I’ll have to get snow tires.”

He shook his head. “It’s not the tires. The undercarriage isn’t built for these kinds of roads. Every drive from Piper’s down those switchback roads will be a nightmare—worse if it’s icy. You need something safer.”

“I’ll be fine.”

Not wanting to belabor the subject, Michael changed the subject.

“You said you went to boarding school. Why?”

“My mother thought it would be a stabilizing influence.” She sipped her water. When she spoke again her voice had lost the quaver. “She hated winter in the Bay, so after Thanksgiving, she stayed with my grandparents in Hawaii. Since I would have had to change schools in the fall and spring, she thought boarding school would be a better option.”

“That must have been hard for you.”

“Actually it wasn’t. There was a very constant routine, I knew exactly what was happening from day to day, what to expect.” She shrugged. “I really liked it. Pip and Row were there, too, so that made it even better.”

Constant routine? The comment struck him as odd. “I’m afraid I don’t remember much about your father.”

“No, you wouldn’t. He traveled a lot with his job. We were always here for the Christmas holidays, though.” She plucked the soft center out of her bread just like his daughter did.

“Where’s Hawaii?” Tati asked.

“I’ll show you on the map after dinner,” he promised.

“What’s it like, Ashley?”

“It’s an island. It has water all around it and it’s lovely to swim in. They never get winter in Hawaii.” Ashley smiled as the child’s eyes grew. “I used to love playing on the beach.”

“I like beaches.” Tati reached out for her milk, hit the edge of the glass and knocked it over into Ashley’s plate, spattering droplets in an arc across her sweater and pants.

“I’m sorry.” Fat tears welled on Tati’s cheeks as the milk spread across the table and dripped onto the floor.

Sighing, Michael rose, fetched a damp cloth for Ashley. “Here,” he offered. Then he began to mop up the spill.

“I didn’t mean to do it,” Tati sobbed.

“Don’t worry about it, honey. I’m sure Ashley will forgive you.”

“Of course I will. It was an accident. Everybody has them. I had one tonight, remember?” Ashley dabbed at the table, made a face at her drenched plate. “I think I’m finished my lasagne.”

“Here, I’ll take care of that.”

This was not exactly romantic. But then who’d said anything about romance? Ashley was simply waiting for a tow truck.

“Do you need another cloth?” he asked, wondering if her clothes were ruined.

“I’m fine.” She sat down, giggled at the croutons floating across Tati’s plate. “I think she’s finished, too.”

“Mom sent over some pie, if you’re interested.”

“Maybe later.”

“My hands are icky.” Tati held them up for inspection.

“Yes, you may be excused. Go and wash them off.”

“Okay.” Having been forgiven, she dashed out of the room, banging into a stool as she went, which sent the cat’s dish flying.

“I’m seeing a pattern here.” Ashley chuckled at his pained glare. “Don’t be such a grump. She’ll grow out of it soon enough.”

“I hope so,” he muttered. What had seemed so appetizing before now looked like leftovers. Would a meal ever be just a meal again? Michael began clearing the table. Ashley helped, scraping plates and stacking them in the dishwasher.

He stored the leftover lasagne in the fridge, knowing he’d be glad of it tomorrow. Anything not to have to cook. He wanted every extra minute to work on his carving.

“Okay, that’s enough cleaning,” he told her when she finished scrubbing the counter. “Let’s have some tea.”

Ashley checked her watch, glanced out the window. “It’s taking quite a while for the tow truck, isn’t it?”

“All the more time for the grader to clear your road,” he said quietly.

She nodded but the faint line of worry across her brow didn’t disappear. “I guess.”

“Can we play this?” Tati emerged from her room holding a game she loved that involved hippos and marbles.

“Want to play?” he asked, watching Ashley’s face for signs that she was bored.

“I haven’t played this for years!” She helped Tati open the game, ran a finger over the hippos’ backs. “But I used to be quite good.”

It was asking for trouble to let Tatiana play it now when she was tired. He’d probably spend the rest of the night hunting for marbles but Michael figured that would be worth it for the pleasure of watching Ashley relax, even giggle as she tried to beat Tatiana.

“Okay, sweetie,” he said when all the marbles were safely stored inside the last hippo. “I want you to get ready for bed.”

“I don’t want to sleep when Ashley’s here!”

Her indignant words made him smile.

“I didn’t say you had to go to bed, but I want you in your pajamas. When the tow truck calls we’ll take Ashley to her car.”

“In my pajamas?” she asked, wide-eyed.

“Uh-huh. Until then you can stay up—as long as you can stay awake.”

“Wait till Wanda hears about this!” The little girl dashed from the room.

“I’m sorry I’m keeping her up. I never intended to be here so long.” Ashley picked up two stray marbles from the floor and tucked them into the box. “I must be ruining your evening, too.”

“Not at all. It’s nice to have the company.” Normally he was loathe to give up a second of his free evenings once Tati was tucked in, but Ashley being here was different. “Do you like mint tea?”

“Yes.”

He carried it through to the living room, poured her a cup and handed it to her. She stood in front of the fireplace, holding her mug, but Michael knew it wasn’t because she was cold. Her gaze kept straying to the window.

“What really happened out there today?”

She turned, frowning. “I told you.”

“Not all of it.” He sat, waiting.

Ashley’s gray eyes rested on him for several minutes. Finally she drew a deep breath, nodded. “After I went into the snowbank, a man frightened me,” she admitted quietly.

“What man?”

“I don’t know his name.”

“What did he do?” he asked as a spurt of anger bubbled up inside, right beside the wish to protect her.

“It’s not so much what he did today,” she said, her voice halting. “He just...scared me.”

“I see.” But Michael didn’t see, not at all. She’d been terrified, had kept looking around during the entire ride home. There was more to it than she’d admitted, but he could see by her expression that she wasn’t going to tell him. Not now anyway.

Tati came racing into the room in what she called her ballerina pajamas just as the phone rang. He answered, agreed to meet the tow truck in ten minutes.

“I guess it’s time to go.” Ashley rose, returned her cup to the kitchen and pulled on her boots. “I’m sorry to make you go out again, Mick.”

“It’s no problem.” He bundled up his daughter, pulled on his own things and waited while Ashley drew on her kid gloves. “Ready?”