Page 19 of Escape to the Sun

“Breaking hearts, Ash.”

He shook his head and walked to the other end of the kitchen, where he hefted himself up on the counter. “That’s not fair, Sherri. I’ve never made any claim to want a relationship with any of the women I see. I never promise them anything I’m not willing to give. I’m not that guy.”

That was true. He was totally not that guy. Before getting involved with anyone, he was always very upfront with his intentions. Always.

“I think you’re more of that guy than you care to think.” There was no judgment in Sherri’s voice. “It’s just who you are.”

“It’s not.”

Sherri put the jar of whatever it was she was holding down and turned to him. “Ash. It’s not a bad thing but for all the detachment you claim to have, you’re just not made that way. You, my dear, are a creature of love. You crave it. You need it. At least you think you do.” He opened his mouth to refute everything she was saying, but she held up one finger to silence him. Obediently, he closed his mouth. “It’s not a bad thing, Ash. It’s just who you are. And before you object. I know you’re honest with every woman you get involved with.” She shrugged casually and picked up another jar. “You’re just not very honest with yourself.”

“That’s not true.” He jumped off the counter, ready to walk out of the kitchen and away from everything Sherri was saying. She may be the person in the world who knew him the best, and she might very well be the best friend he had, but she had no idea what it had been like for him back in the States. Even if she knew the details, she didn’t really know. No one did. And Sherri definitely had no idea that no matter what she thought she knew, the one thing Ash didn’t want was love. He absolutely did not crave it and he most certainly did not need it.

He should have walked out. He should have gotten some distance, because there was no way he was going to even attempt to explain any of that to Sherri. There was no point.

But he didn’t walk out, because the next thing that came out of his friend’s mouth stopped him.

“And that’s exactly why you should be careful with Heather.”

“Heather?” Ash moved around the worktable in the middle of the room and took the jar of what looked like Sherri’s chutney out of her hand. “What does this have to do with Heather?”

Sherri stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. “I see the way you look at her.”

“Like she’s a beautiful woman?”

“Like you want her to fill a void.”

He shook his head, denying her assessment at the same time a blur of motion out the window caught his attention. “Speaking of Heather.” He gestured with his head, but Sherri didn’t turn around.

“I mean it, Ash. Unless you can finally be real with yourself, you should stay away from her. She can’t help you.”

He didn’t have the faintest idea what Sherri was talking about, but in his experience, that was often the case. She had some very different views on people and love and…basically everything. The thing was, even if Ash didn’t agree right away with Sherri’s thoughts and opinions, even if he originally thought they were totally out of left field…they were almost always right. Which was probably why he didn’t want to hear anything about Heather that didn’t support him pursuing her. Because no matter what Sherri said, it wasn’t going to change the fact that he wanted her.

Man, did he ever.

Ash handed the jar back to her and turned his attention to the window, or more specifically, the woman working beyond it in the garden.

In the short time she’d been at Casa del Sol, Heather had visibly relaxed. Not that she’d been like one of the uptight, over-stressed tourists who often showed up looking to unwind. She hadn’t been like that at all. But there’d been a tension in the way she carried herself. A tightness in her voice, as if she was afraid to say something she shouldn’t. A hesitancy to her actions. It likely wasn’t noticeable to anyone unless they paid attention. But Ash paid attention.

He’d also noticed that she’d thrown herself into the running of Casa del Sol at the expense of any quiet time where he could possibly sneak in and have a replay of that kiss. It was almost as if she was avoiding that very situation from happening.

No way.Ash hadn’t imagined the heat between them. There was no way she wouldn’t want a replay of that.

But the more time that went by without any acknowledgment of their connection, the more he’d started to doubt himself.

Maybe Sherri was right. Maybe Heather couldn’t help him. But then again, he never claimed to need any help at all.

“Maybe it’s not me who needs help.”

It wasn’t a question and Sherri didn’t answer it. Instead, she shook her head and clucked her tongue like an old grandma who knew enough to know there wasn’t a damn thing she could do about him and his ways. “Come on.” She tugged him away from the window. “Stop peeping on the poor woman and help me out. I have a storeroom full of boxes you brought me that aren’t going to move themselves up to the treehouse.”

He’d forgotten all about the treehouse. Heather had a distracting effect on him. Ash surveyed the kitchen and for the first time, really looked at what Sherri was doing. She had a box with a selection of jars and cans, another with bottles of water sat on the floor, and a basket full of freshly picked herbs and vegetable from the garden sat next to it.

There were enough provisions for weeks, maybe more. But that didn’t make sense. Why would she go up into the trees by herself for weeks?

Ash ran a hand through his shaggy hair and for the first time, focused his gaze on her. “Sherri? What’s going on?”

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