When we couldn’t hear those people anymore, all seemed right again.

The only thing that would have made it better was if Brody were with me.

But I didn’t want to think of him or the way his arms felt around me. That brought feelings I never used to experience before. They filled my head, gave me confusing thoughts, so instead, I bent forward and rested my cheek against Shiloh’s neck. I let her steady everything for me like she always did.

When I walked to the main house, I didn’t know how much time had passed since I’d last been there. I didn’t think it was a month, that felt too long, but the nights were getting chillier. The days were beginning to shorten, so I knew we were nearing to a new season.

“Well, look what the cat dragged in.”

I gave Finn a look. “You’re still here?”

He was just leaving the barn and fell into step next to me. Shoving his hands into his light sweatshirt’s pockets, he let his elbows flap around, nudging me with one. “It’s been over a while. I’m surprised you held out this long.” He looked behind us for a moment. “How do you handle it out there for so long?”

I shrugged. “It’s second nature.” He didn’t know I had clothes and blankets stashed in places out there or that I only came back when I needed things like food or water if I couldn’t find it. I tried sleeping in the barn apartment, but it didn’t feel how it used to. It was cold. It wasn’t mine any longer.

I’d watched the house a few days after Brody left. Peter took off the same afternoon and Matthew went later in the week. Once they were gone, I stopped worrying so much.

But that brought a different question to mind. I looked at Finn. He, Abby, and Jen remained at the house. “Don’t you guys have to work?”

“Ah.” He laughed again. “Yes, we do, but Matthew asked us to remain here in case the movie crew came back. Lucky for us, we can do most of our work online for the company.”

“My life wouldn’t be that different if I had to work.”

“What?” He drew to a stop, turning to face me. “You lie.”

I fought against a grin. “I thought about it before, about working. I would’ve worked with horses somewhere. And if I was poor, I would’ve made enough to buy a camper and park it somewhere and live off the land still.” I tapped him on the nose. “See. I thought of everything.”

“You’re so lucky Matthew set up all your bills. You have no idea what the rest of the world is like.”

Heartache. Harsh. Cold.

I shrugged, starting for the house again. “Does it matter?”

“Do you realize how big your boy toy is?”

“Huh?”

“Brody. Bad Boy Brody. You remember him? I am pretty sure he was proclaiming his love for you four weeks ago.”

His elbow was coming in to nudge me again, but I slapped it away. “I know who you’re talking about. What do you mean about how ‘big’ he is?”

He stopped, clasping his eyes tightly closed. “Oh, shit. Wrong choice of words.”

I frowned. “What?”

“Yes.” His eyes opened again, and he patted me on the shoulder. “Sometimes I’m glad you aren’t jaded by society.”

“Are you referring to the size of his penis?”

He choked and then bent over to cough it out.

I patted him on the shoulder. “Yes. Sometimes I’m glad you forget I’m not completely stupid.” I paused. “Like the rest of society.”

He laughed.

We were crossing the driveway to the house when we both heard the crunch of tires on gravel.

As one, we turned.

It was a black van, and Finn started cursing right away. Before I could move, he was striding toward them, and when they stopped and the doors opened, he yelled over his shoulder, “Get in the house, Morgan! Now!”

“But—” There were men running at him.

I froze.

I was ten years old again.

They raised their phones and cameras toward me.

Flash!

Flash!

One guy held up a recorder to videotape.

“Morgan!” one yelled, holding out his phone. “Were you just with the horses? Do you and Brody talk every night?”

A second one pushed ahead of the first, his phone out too. “Are you missing Brody? What do you think about the rumors that he’s having an affair with his late brother’s widow? Are you two still together?”

They were moving past Finn, but he struck a hand out.

One reporter ran right into it, clotheslined. He fell to the ground.

The other managed to duck, but Finn rounded, grabbed his shoulders, and threw him on the ground next to his friend.

The guy holding the camera gave Finn a wide berth, and while he didn’t stop videotaping me, he didn’t come any closer either.

Beat red, Finn pointed at him and screamed. “Get the fuck off our property! NOW!”

The clotheslined guy was getting back to his feet, scowling and brushing off his pants. “You don’t have any signs posted. This could be considered a regular road to us.”

“Bullshit.” Finn got in his way, blocking me, but the other two could see. “Get out! Now!”

The door opened behind me, and Abby rushed out. “Finn!”