“Great,” he said sarcastically, ending the call. “Do you think she could be driving around still?” he asked Ashleigh.
“Was she crying?”
His heart clenched. “Yeah, she was,” he said softly.
“Then no. It’s really hard to drive when you’re crying.” She blew out a mouthful of air. “Ask me how I know.”
“Ash…”
She shook her head. “Ignore me. I’m being a bitch again. I just want to find my sister.”
“I’m sorry,” he told her, his voice soft. “I’m really sorry I broke your heart.”
Ashleigh nodded as she backed the car out of the driveway. “Thank you. I think that’s all I needed to hear.”
“And I have an idea on where to find Maddie.”
“Where?” She shifted into drive.
“At the lake.”
Ashleigh frowned. “Why the hell would Maddie be there?”
“We went there once. She told me she was never allowed there as a kid. I told her it used to be my favorite place to think.”
“Okay.” Ashleigh didn’t sound so sure. “But I’m parking on the road. I don’t want to get the car dirty.”
When they pulled up to the turn, there were fresh tire marks in the mud. Gray glanced through the trees and spotted a red car parked to the side. “There’s her car.”
“Okay.” Ashleigh glanced down at her feet. “Ugh. I’m going to have to ruin these shoes.”
“I’ll go get her.”
“No you won’t.” She shook her head. “This is a sister job. Why don’t you head home and I’ll have her call you later?”
“Nope. I’m not going anywhere.”
“You always were a stubborn asshole.”
He grinned. “You remember.”
“Well, stay here for a bit. I want to talk to her, sister to sister, okay?”
He looked at her curiously. “I thought you weren’t talking.”
“Yeah, well things have changed.”
“I’ve got a feeling that beneath your icy demeanor you’ve got a heart of gold.”
“Shut up,” Ashleigh said, switching off the ignition. “For that comment, I’m not leaving you with any AC.”
“I’ll get out. Use nature’s cooling. I’m a Prius driver, remember?”
“Whatever.” She wrenched the door open. “Just don’t get any mud in my car.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He climbed out of the passenger si
de and watched Ashleigh’s ginger steps as she tried to avoid her heels sinking into the mud. He bit down a grin as she stumbled and had to lean on a tree to keep herself upright.