“That’s . . . impossible.” Ash tried to make sense of what Jenna was saying. Tried and failed. “You must have misunderstood his intentions.”
“I heard him quite clearly.” Her voice trembled. “He had a white envelope. Inside was a check made out to me for ten thousand dollars. He suggested reasons I could use to cancel on your sister. He wanted me to lie.”
“I’m sorry, but there’s been some kind of mistake.”
“No mistake. He doesn’t want us dating. Said I’m too much like your mom. He threatened to make my life difficult if I didn’t do as he asked.”
Ash stiffened. “My father is a respected judge. He’s on the church’s financial council. He would never pay off anyone, let alone threaten them.”
Jenna’s mouth gaped. “You don’t believe me.”
“I believe you talked with my dad, but there has to be some sort of misinterpretation of what he meant.”
She covered her face with her hands. “You’re doing it again.”
Ash touched her shoulder, only to have her jerk away from his touch. “What?”
“Not trusting me.”
“I trust you.”
“Then why don’t you believe what I say happened?”
“My father isn’t like that.”
Raw hurt flashed in her eyes. Ash took two steps back.
“You said things would be different. Promised . . .” Her lower lip quivered. “I thought you’d changed.”
“I have.”
“You don’t believe me. Again.”
Each word punched his gut. “That’s not true. I’ll speak with my father. Find out what happened.”
“You still need proof?”
Ash hated how disappointed she sounded. He wanted to fix this.
Jenna headed to the door. Her pace accelerated with each step.
“Wait. Where are you going?” he asked.
“Home.” Her hard look froze his heart. “I’ll photograph Amber and Toby’s wedding per our contract, but please don’t contact me again.”
That night, Jenna sat next to Sam on her living room couch. She tried concentrating on the movie playing, but couldn’t. Two pints of ice cream, two spoons, and a box of tissues—all but the spoons courtesy of Sam—sat on the coffee table.
Goosebumps covered her skin. She was cold down to her bones, freezing though a fleece throw covered her. “I don’t know if I should cry or scream.”
Sam grabbed another scoop of double-chocolate chip. “Have more ice cream. That’s step number one. Then we’ll egg his house.”
“The judge would have us arrested.”
“Only if the judge found out. I’ll make sure we don’t get caught.”
“I’d probably start crying and be no fun. Sorry.”
“Just a thought.”
Her heart hurt, a familiar aching tightness. She wiped her tired, swollen eyes. “I can’t believe I let Ash do this again. I thought I was being smarter this time, more careful. I should have known he hadn’t changed.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself.” Sam put his arm around her the way Colton would do if he were here. “You had feelings for the guy. You were hoping for the best.”
“Hoping and praying. I wanted things to work.”
“Did you fall in love with him again?”
Had she? “I don’t know. It’s only been a couple weeks.”
“Doesn’t take long.”
“Speaking from experience?” Jenna asked.
Sam focused on the ice cream. “We’re talking about you.”
“I don’t know what or how I feel about Ash, only that I want the hurting to stop. I also feel like I should pray for him. Is that weird?”
“Not at all.”
She closed her eyes. Please help Ash. Help him find his way like you helped me.
“Feel better?” Sam asked.
“A little.” She stared at her chocolate mint chip. “I don’t know how I’m going to get through the rehearsal dinner and wedding.”
“I’ll come along as your assistant,” Sam offered.
“You’d do that?”
He mussed her hair. “Of course. You’re one of my best friends. Though I only know how to take pictures with my phone.”
She laughed.
“Wait. Is that a smile I see?” He grinned. “Yes, that’s definitely a smile. Progress. This calls for more ice cream.”
“I don’t think I could eat another bite.”
Sam winked. “More for me, then.”
“Help yourself.” Jenna had a feeling food would be the last thing on her mind until she survived the next two days. But she’d signed a contract and would be professional dealing with the Vance family. Even if her heart was broken and all she wanted to do was cry.
After the rehearsal dinner, Ash unlocked the door to the house where he and Amber had grown up. His annoyance level had reached an all-time high. Jenna had barely said a word tonight except to give instructions, and she’d kept her face hidden with the camera.
Talk about awkward.
But what was he supposed to do? His father had denied her accusations, agreeing she’d misconstrued the intent of his visit. She’d cut off all communication. Ignored Ash’s texts and calls. Frustrating. Maybe he could speak to her tomorrow.