Claire and Starr exchanged a loaded look before Claire tugged a folder from her overlarge purse. “We were actually getting ready to turn around and come back when the news story broke.”
“Turn around? Why?” When they still hesitated so long a waitress managed to work her way past with a steaming platter of crab legs, Ashley pressed harder, “Please, don’t hold anything back. I’ve been up-front with you and I’m going to be hurt if you aren’t equally open with me.”
Claire twisted her napkin in a totally un-Claire disregard for order, which relayed just how nervous she must be. “We weren’t lying about anything earlier. We simply omitted some thoughts we’ve been having about the whole rebuilding process.”
Starr shoved away the now nearly empty bread basket. “What do you plan to do with your future, after the election—if you and Matthew don’t stay together?”
“I imagined we’ll be busy renovating Beachcombers.” The possibility of taking him up on his offer still felt so alien she hadn’t thought that far ahead. She needed to get her head together and in the present. She looked from sister to sister. “What are you both keeping from me? Was there something wrong with the insurance adjustment after all?”
“No, nothing like that,” Claire rushed to reassure her.
Ashley relaxed back in her chair. “Okay, then. I appreciate all the times you helped me and protected me and built me up over the years.” She injected strength in her words to match the steel in her spine. “But I’m not that shy, insecure little kid anymore.
Could you please stop treating me like a child and welcome me into your grown-ups club?”
Starr covered Ashley’s hand with hers. “We love you. It’s hard not to worry.”
“Thank you.” She squeezed Starr’s hand and reached for Claire’s, as well. “I love you both, too. So tell me. What’s with all the secret looks? Come on, Claire? Spill it.”
“We’re just wondering if we should look into options other than reopening Beachcombers.”
Claire’s words hovered over the table between them, heavy and unexpected.
Ashley finally got her brain off stun long enough to speak. “You mean level Aunt Libby’s house?”
“No, not that.” Starr waved aside that possibility, thank God. “We could use the insurance money to restore the place to its former glory. Then sell it. Let a family live and grow and flourish there.”
Claire angled forward. “We could split the proceeds three ways and it will still give us each the chance to pursue any career dreams we want. I can open my own catering business with more flexible hours for the baby.”
Ashley turned to Starr. “And you feel the same way about this?”
“Yes, sweetie. I do. I’ve always wanted to go back to art school and study abroad. Sure, my husband can afford it, but I appreciate the chance to finance it myself. You have your degree and this would give you a nice financial cushion. But we don’t want you to feel like you don’t have a home.”
Their plan made sense. They both had husbands, homes, children and unique career dreams of their own. And she had…
A wonderfully unconventional family who loved her and a quirky old lady who’d taught her to value herself. None of that would change because of owning or selling a particular house.
Ashley squeezed her sisters’ hands. “We have a bond, the three of us, that goes beyond any house. The memories Aunt Libby gave us are a far stronger link than any home could ever be. And I think she would like the notion of a family being brought up in her home.”
Across the restaurant, one of the patrons reached to turn up the volume on one of the televisions. Starr’s eyes widening gave her the first hint that she’d better check it out.
Ashley pivoted in her chair for a better view of the screen. A local news announcement had interrupted the sporting event.
“Senatorial candidate Matthew Landis’s campaign has just announced he will be making a statement to the press outside his headquarters.”
What could he be planning to say? She’d left the family gathering before a consensus had been reached. No doubt if they didn’t act soon, his opponent would beat him to the punch and no telling what he would concoct. Damn shame nobody ever seemed interested in posting compromising photos of Martin Stewart. But then Matthew was the forerunner right now, so tearing him down made for better news and a tighter race—which generated more public interest.
Where did she fit into all of this?
She looked at her sisters and thought of how even logical Claire had begun following her heart. Ashley stared at the pictures of Matthew on the television screen—one of him with her, then the one from the golf course, followed by an image of him alone.
From the moment she’d seen that image of him with the blonde, she’d known he wasn’t seeing anyone else. Aside from the fact he’d been with her nearly every second of every day, she knew him to be an honorable man. He’d even been willing to put his campaign, his life’s dream, in jeopardy to make things right for her.
How come she’d been so comfortable trusting him, but unable to trust in herself? She wanted to be a part of his life. He’d told her he wanted to be a part of hers and then shared something intensely personal and painful about his past. That indicated a willingness to take things to a deeper level than before and she should be brave enough to explore the possibility.
Life wasn’t going to get less complicated if she walked away from him. In fact, already her heart was telling her turning her back on the feelings developing between them would lead to complications that would hurt her for the rest of her life.
He’d supported her through a scandal that was every bit as much her own fault as his. He deserved her support now. She was ready to fight for her place in the forefront of Matthew Landis’s life.
Ashley pushed back her chair and stood, gathering her purse. “My dear sisters, I agree. Renovate and sell Beachcombers.
It’s time, time for a lot of things.” She gathered her purse and her resolve. “I’m going to Matthew’s press conference to be with him.”
Where she now knew she belonged, beside the man she loved.
Matthew stood in the foyer of his campaign headquarters, gathering his thoughts. In less than ninety seconds, he would step outside and address the media about his plummeting poll numbers.
His staff stayed in the main office, their conversations a controlled low buzz as they gave him the space he needed to collect himself before stepping outside. He blocked out the noise from television monitors and kept his eyes off all the posters packing the walls.
He had speech notes tucked in his pocket, words that could end his political career, but unavoidable. He had to stop this press war that was tearing Ashley apart, and if that meant he lost the election then so be it. A man had to make a stand for what mattered most.
He hadn’t been able to do anything for Dana, but he damn well could fall on his sword for Ashley. He couldn’t live with himself if he ruined her life to save a career.
In losing Ashley, he’d blown the biggest opportunity of his life, way bigger than any senate seat.
He would find another way to change the freaking world. He had the resources and the drive. Ashley had shown him there were other effective approaches to life than just his bullheaded full speed ahead manner.
Matthew checked his watch again. Thirty seconds. He reached for the knob to step out and join Brent on the porch.
A hand fell on his shoulder. Matthew jolted. Damn. He’d been so preoccupied he hadn’t even heard anyone approach.
He pivoted to find…“Ashley? What are you doing here?”
Her brown eyes gleamed with a wide intensity, totally focused on him in a way that lured him, distracted him, at the worst possible moment.
“I came in through the back. Your mother met me and let me in.” She gripped his lapels, energy pulsing from her, her long hair rising in a staticky halo around her. “Matthew, what are you planning to say to those reporters?”
“The truth. That I’ve let them dictate my decisions in a way that has hurt others. That if I’m going to be an effective senator for my constituents, I have to be willing to take the flack that might come my way from the press.” He resisted the urge to gather her against him even as he ached to skim his hands along her sweet curves under her lemon-yellow sundress. “I’m going to say whatever it takes to protect you and set you free.”
She slipped her hand through the crook of his arm. “I’m going with you.”
“Like hell.” He scowled.
She scowled right back. “Just try and stop me.”
Before he could blink, she’d ducked under his other arm and slipped out the front door, straight toward the press conference. Hell, she was determined. And hot.
And headed for trouble.
He bolted after her, almost slamming into Brent, who was attempting to hide the panicked look on his face that appeared whenever things weren’t following his perfectly scripted agenda. The instant spent working his way around his campaign manager cost Matthew the precious time needed to catch Ashley before she took her place in front of the podium.
Complete with a microphone and a captive media audience.
“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen of the press. I know you expected to hear from Congressman Landis today, but I have to confess to being a bit pushy in wanting to get my two cents in first for the record.”
She flashed the gentle smile of hers combined with her shy way of glancing through her lashes at the crowd. How odd that he’d never before noticed her ramrod straight steely spine under that gorgeous mass of red hair. Those years in a back brace had honed strength in her nobody was going to cow, not even the most sharklike members of the media.
“I imagine we’ve gathered to talk about revealing photos.”
Her bluntness stunned everyone still. For all of three heartbeats and then photographers started snapping away again.
“Oh, but wait, we already discussed those pictures of me.”
A giggle started in the back, slowly working its way to the front until everyone relaxed and joined in. Interesting how everyone seemed to be perspiring from the summer heat—except for cool, collected Ashley.
“I appreciate that you’re all here. You offer a valuable service in getting the message out. Today, I simply want to make sure the message is factually correct so we’re not wasting time with messy legalities later.”
Whoa, she had the spine set on mega-strong today.
Brent shook his head slowly. “My God, she’s got the press eating out of the palm of her hand. I’ve never seen anything like her.”
Matthew turned back to stare at Ashley bathed in the beauty of her glowing self-confidence that radiated stronger than even the South Carolina sun. “Me, either.”
Ashley nodded to the crowd from the podium. “Now, I happen to believe that a photo of a popular candidate, in his golf clothes, on the golf course, standing by a golf-course employee isn’t particularly scandal worthy. But that’s easier for me to say because I know Matthew and I trust him. I realize that trust takes time.”