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movements.
Unfortunately, now would be a bad time to explain things to her.
“Work?”
    “The new children’s museum. I’m working on
the wall murals.”
    “Oh, yeah. I recall reading somewhere that
you’d won the contract to paint it. How is it going?”
    A sparkle entered her eyes briefly, then
disappeared. “Great. I have two very talented and hardworking,
young artists assisting me. We might finish earlier than I’d
anticipated. Anyway, I’d better be going.”
    She looked ready to sprint out of the
mansion, and he didn’t blame her. Still, he didn’t want her to
leave yet, not like this.
    “I must stop by sometime. Or aren’t people
allowed to see them yet?” he asked.
    Ashley gave him an uncertain smile and took a
step back. “No, they’re not, but just ask for me at the reception
desk in the old children’s museum.”
    “I most certainly will.” He didn’t need to
touch her or be so close, but the urge to connect was there, and he
acted upon it. Her rigid frame stiffened even further when he
cupped her elbow. He wanted to step back, but changed his mind when
he felt her relax. As he led her out of the room, a heady rush of
lust washed over him. He didn’t know what was happening to him.
Something about Ashley filled him with a sense of urgency. Despite
her attempt to hide it, she was attracted to him. He saw it in the
rapid pulse beating at the base of her neck, in her eyes when he
caught her looking at him. What if she was dating someone? Would
that stop him from pursuing her? Never did before.
    When they reached the door, he opened it and
escorted her to her car. “I’m sorry I haven’t stopped by with my
grandmother’s pictures. Now that I’m back in town, is it okay if I
drop them off?”
    She appeared undecided about something. Then
she nodded. “Sure. I’ll be at home Saturday morning.”
    “Saturday it is.” He held the car door for
her to get in. From his position, he had a clear view of her
perfect breasts. His stomach muscles knotted as desire hit him
hard. He swallowed and shifted his gaze to her face, but she was
staring at the house. He followed her gaze to the second floor
balcony. His mother in red flowing pants and a matching duster
jacket, her curly hair falling over her slender shoulders, stared
at them with smoldering eyes. How long had she been watching?
    “I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to talk to
your mother,” Ashley said softly. “Maybe next time.”
    Not if he could help it. He didn’t know where
the thought came from, but once it took root, he knew it was true.
His mother could be very vicious when pissed.
    “Sure. I’ll see you on Saturday.” On impulse,
he leaned down and kissed her cheek.
    “What was that for?” she asked, the smile on
her face a little uncertain.
    “A friendly gesture, that’s all.” He pushed
off from where he’d been leaning against the car. “As in I’ll see
you soon. You know, friends. Nothing more, nothing less.”
    “Right,” she whispered and started her
car.
    Ron stepped back and watched the car head
toward the gate.
    “I want you to remember one thing while
you’re busy coddling that girl, Ronald.”
    Ron turned. His mother leaned against the
balcony, her eyes blazing.
    “Your father would still be alive if it
weren’t for that girl.” She turned and marched back into her
bedroom.

CHAPTER 3
     
     
    A cold lump had settled in the pit of
Ashley’s stomach when she’d heard Nina Noble’s scathing words. She
hung on to the steering wheel until she cleared the Noble’s gate.
Down the tree-lined road, a fair distance from the security guard’s
watchful gaze, she pulled up on the shoulder. Her hands shook so
much she had trouble switching off the engine. When she finally
did, she just sat there, trying to come to terms with what she’d
learned.
    She wasn’t the only one needing closure. The
pain in Nina’s voice had been real, the hatred in her eyes on the
balcony unadulterated. A vague memory flitted in