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pulled on the reins, and Dolly slowed. “Are you sure about this?”
    Annie nodded.
    “It feels strange to just leave you on the side of the road.”
    Annie shrugged. “It’s a beautiful day and a simple walk.”
    “You won’t know where to go when you get there.”
    “They speak English in Westcliffe, don’t they?”
    “Of course.”
    “I’ll be fine. I can take care of myself.”
    His Adam’s apple bobbed up and then down as he swallowed his reply.
    “I know you think I can’t look after myself or else I would not be here,” Annie said, “but I assure you, I’m fine. Thank you for the accommodations last night, and I hope Mr. Kramer comes to his senses soon.”
    “Thank you,” Rufus said.
    “Please thank your mother for me as well.”
    “I will. If you’re ever down this way again, I’m sure she would enjoy seeing you. I know Jacob would.”
    The buggy stopped, and Annie climbed down. To be polite, she looked at Rufus, but she tried not to really see him, lest she decide to get back in the buggy just because he was there. The sensation shivered out of her.
    “Look for Mrs. Weichert’s shop on Main Street,” Rufus said. “She sells some of my mother’s preserves. Sometimes her daughter has business in Pueblo. She might give you a ride.”
    “I’ll be fine.”
    Annie stood still and watched Rufus ease the buggy back onto the highway. Then with her bag slung over one shoulder, she progressed toward town in no particular hurry. Hues of green and brown and red she had never before noticed passed imperceptibly from one to the other. A breeze stirred in a pristine Colorado blue sky and ruffled her hair with a tender touch.
    She was free.
    She wasn’t suspecting Barrett. She wasn’t dodging Rick. She wasn’t juggling three calls on her phone. She wasn’t reading between the lines of a contract. And while it was not impossible for Rick to discover where she was—he could pull strings and find a way to track her—it was unlikely he was anywhere nearby.
    Free.
Please, God, let it be so.
    Another mile down the road, a blue-and-red sign announced the presence of a roadside motel. Annie’s eyes followed the direction of the arrow and saw the humble structure set back from the road and up a steep slope. The building was not large—perhaps twenty rooms—and the outdoor green-and-purple color scheme was hideous. Nevertheless, the place whispered her name. Giving into whimsy, Annie turned her steps toward the motel.
    Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She paused with one hand ready to extract it.

Five
    T he screen announced, M OM /D AD . Annie answered the call.
    “Where in the world are you?” Myra Friesen demanded. “I just want a peaceful cup of coffee with the newspaper, and the phone won’t stop ringing.”
    “I’m sorry,” Annie said. “I’m fine. No one needs to worry. Who called?”
    “The police called about your car.”
    Annie grimaced. “What happened?”
    “That’s what they want to know. It was parked in front of a hotel but not registered to any known guest. So it got towed. Imagine my surprise when I sit down with my morning coffee and get that phone call. I had no idea you still had your car registered at our address.”
    “I’ve been meaning to change that,” Annie said. “What did they do with it?”
    “The towing company has it. They’ll charge you for storage, you know, if you don’t go get it.”
    “I don’t think I can get it today.” She could afford to store the vehicle indefinitely. At least Rick did not have his grubby hands on it.
    “Where are you, Annie?” Myra asked again. “You sound like you’re outside.”
    “I am.” Annie licked her lips. “I had to go out of town for business reasons, but I’m enjoying the beautiful day.”
    “Your assistant called, too. She didn’t say anything about a business trip.”
    “I didn’t have a chance to tell Jamie before I left. I’ll catch her up soon. Go back to your coffee.”
    “What about