AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The gentle smile that had curved his lips disappeared, replaced by a grim line of determination. The glint in his steely blue eyes became deadly and his jaw was tight with the restraint he placed upon himself.
“I came over here this morning because I thought that we could settle a few things between us,” he stated flatly. “But obviously that’s impossible.”
Regret washed over her. “Look, I didn’t mean—”
“It doesn’t matter.” He set his cup on the bookcase and stared at her with condemning eyes. “You never have trusted me and I doubt that you ever will. All your well-rehearsed speeches about being your own woman are a lot of garbage, Ashley. What it all boils down to is that you’re afraid of men and me. You can’t let yourself feel anymore.”
His vehement words hit her like a blast of arctic air, chilling the kind feelings she had felt for him. She ignored the tears pooling in her eyes and leveled her disdainful sea-green gaze in his direction. “I was talking to John Ellis, the accountant for the timber company. He’s doing some work for me—work that I requested because of you. In a couple of hours I can pick up the reports in Bend.”
His smile was forced and cynical. “Good. Then maybe you can find out just how misplaced your loyalties have been.” He walked to the door and put his hand on the knob. “Call me when you find out whom Claud paid to do his dirty work!”
“If I do—”
Every muscle in his body tensed and his hand whitened over the doorknob. “Just remember that we have a deal, lady. I expect you to hold up your end.”
A gust of cold air filled the room as he opened the door. He walked out and slammed the wooden door behind him. The tears that had been pooling in Ashley’s eyes began to flow. “Damn you, Trevor Daniels,” she whispered, her small fists clenching. “Why can’t I just forget you?”
Managing to pull herself together, she walked across the room and picked up Trevor’s empty cup from the shelf on which he had placed it. She started into the kitchen, but stopped, her green eyes focused on the table. There, shining dully against the polished maple, was Trevor’s key to the cabin.
Chapter Five
The office in Bend wasn’t particularly large, but it was run efficiently due to Eileen Hanna’s sharp eyes and knack for organization. When Ashley entered the airy offices located on Wall Street, Eileen looked up from her desk and smiled broadly.
“I’ve been expecting you,” the plump, red-haired woman exclaimed as she led Ashley into a private office.
“It’s good to see you again,” Ashley replied with a good-natured smile. “If all the offices of Stephens Timber were run this efficiently, I’d be out of a job.”
“Nonsense!” Eileen replied, but warmed under the compliment. She unlocked a closet, withdrew a neat stack of computer printouts and handed them to Ashley. “John said you wanted to go over some projection figures. Looks like he got a little carried away.”
“I told him to send me anything that might be pertinent,” Ashley said, eyeing the reams of paper. “I guess he took me literally.”
“He’s an accountant, what do you expect?”
Ashley laughed. “What I expect is more printouts.”
“You’re not serious.” Eileen withdrew a cigarette from her purse and tapped it on the corner of the desk.
“John said that he might be sending a few more things to me later today or tomorrow. I’ll pick them up on Thursday.”
“Maybe you should bring a semi,” Eileen suggested as she lit her cigarette and blew a thin stream of smoke toward the ceiling.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Ashley hoisted the neatly bound papers under her arm and smiled fondly at the industrious woman.
“Next time you’re here, I’ll buy you lunch.”
“It’s a date, but I’ll buy,” Ashley promised as she walked out of the room and winked broadly. “It’s time I got some use out of my expense account.” When Ashley left the building, she could still hear Eileen chuckling.
* * *
It had been difficult to keep thoughts of Trevor from interfering with her work. The harsh words of their final argument kept flitting through her mind. She had been unnecessarily cruel because of her conflicting emotions and now she regretted the fact that she had blown up at him. It had crossed her mind to call the Lambert house and apologize to Trevor, but she had discarded the idea for now. She wanted to review all the information she had received from John Ellis before talking with Trevor again. Besides, she figured she and Trevor each needed a little time to cool off.
During the following two days, Ashley studied every computer printout that John had sent. She wasn’t happy with herself until she had looked over each entry and sifted through the documents with a fine-tooth comb. By the end of the second evening, Ashley had barely made a dent in the volumes of information sitting on the edge of the desk in the den. Her eyes were burning and her muscles ached from her cramped position of leaning over the desk.
The grandfather’s clock had just struck eight when Ashley heard the rumble of an engine nearing the cabin. A pleased feeling of exhilaration raced through her body. Waiting, she removed her reading glasses and tapped nervous fingernails on the edge of the desk. The engine was cut and footsteps approached the cabin. Within seconds there was a loud knock.
With a satisfied smile, Ashley answered the door. Trevor stood on the porch wearing his enigmatic smile and tight, worn jeans. Snowflakes had collected in his dark hair and began to melt and catch the reflection of the interior lights. He was carrying a large package under his arms.
“If it isn’t Senator Daniels?” Ashley teased.
