“When?” He picked up the purse she’d dropped. “When our baby is off to college?”

“No, of course not.” She felt a sting in her throat and then flung her arms around him. “It’s so, so good to see you. You have no idea. And I’m sorry for everything. This is all my fault.”

“I don’t know how you figure that.” His hand was on her back, rubbing gently. “I seem to remember having a lot to do with it. Why the hell didn’t you call, Ash? I’ve been out of my mind with worry. I saw your photo on TV and I called the hospital but they wouldn’t tell me anything and no one seemed to know where you were. And then you sent me one message. That was it. One message, saying you’d call soon only you never did. Why not?”

“Because I thought this was something I had to handle on my own. It was my mess. And—” she swallowed “—I was scared.”

“Scared?” He pulled away so that he could see her face. “I said something that scared you?”

“No. I don’t know what you said.”

“Neither do I. I left so many messages I lost count.”

She squirmed. “I haven’t listened to them yet.”

“You—” He stared at her. “You haven’t listened to my messages?”

“No. I didn’t dare. I didn’t know how to handle the situation. I didn’t know how you felt.”

He let out a long breath. “Right. If you’d listen to your messages or answer your phone once in a while, you’d know how I feel.” He smoothed her hair back. “Were you ever going to call me?”

“Yes, when I’d figured out what to say. I didn’t want you to feel pressured. I actually was going to listen to your messages tonight. Joanna was going to do it with me.”

“Good thing I kept them clean, but I hate the idea you thought you needed moral support to listen to a message from me.” He held out his hand. “Give me your phone.”

“But—”

“Phone.”

She handed it over and he accessed her voice mail.

“Listen.” He put the phone to her ear.

Ash, it’s Jon. I’m worried about you. Please call.

Ashley, it’s Jon again. Please pick up the phone.

Ashley, it’s Jon.

It’s Jon. If you don’t want to see me, that’s fine, but at least tell me you’re safe.

She listened to the messages one by one. They grew more and more urgent.

Ashley, I just saw your photo on TV. I know about the accident. I know you’re messed up about Cliff Whitman being your dad and your mom not telling you, but we’ll figure it out. I know about the baby and I know it’s mine. We really need to talk. I miss you.