whatever was going through ashleys mind vanished the moment his hand closed around hers.  She sat there, puzzled, staring at the clasped hands.  She blushed and looked away.  The feeling of his hand was comforting and warm.  It wasn't something she was used to.  Glancing back at him, she really began to see him for the first time.  Perhaps he had a much softer side to him than he led on.