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if you want to talk...”
    â€œI’d rather not.”
    â€œSometimes it helps,” he prodded.
    â€œReally? I don’t see you wearing your heart on your sleeve.”
    â€œNo, I guess I don’t.”
    She stared out the open window, enjoying the humid breeze that lifted hair that had come loose. Outside the landscape was dark except for an occasional security light that flashed an orange glow across a lawn or outbuilding and the silvery light of a nearly full moon. Cattle were dark silhouettes grazing in the fields.
    They turned up a narrow, rutted driveway. Ahead she could see a two-story white farmhouse. The front-porch light was on. In the distance she could see the dark shapes that meant numerous outbuildings.
    â€œI hope you don’t mind the country.”
    â€œIt isn’t my favorite.”
    He laughed a little. “Well, you’ll either sink or swim, sunshine.”
    Sunshine. She’d never had a nickname. She’d never been anyone’s sunshine. It didn’t mean anything to him. But it meant something to her. Something that she couldn’t quite define.
    Sunshine was definitely better than Cinderella.
    â€œHere we are. Home sweet home. I promise you, you’re in for a real experience. We are a pretty crazy bunch.”
    â€œI can handle it.”
    â€œI’m sure you can.” He got out of the truck, and she followed.
    He held her suitcase and handed her the smaller overnight bag that accompanied it. “Let’s get you settled.”
    â€œDon’t you live here?”
    He shook his head. “No. I bought a little RV. It’s hooked up to power over by the barn.”
    â€œBut you’re going to be close by, right?” She felt as if he was suddenly drifting out of reach. She took a deep breath. He was practically a stranger. Not her lifeline.
    â€œI’ll be around more than you can stand. But I prefer my own space. I’m not much for company and big crowds. Believe me, you’re going to have your share of people. You’ll want solitude when you’re done with this month on the Wilder Ranch.”
    â€œMonth?”
    He shrugged it off. “We aren’t sending you out on your own until we know who is behind the threats and the attack. Maybe it wasn’t the same guy.”
    â€œI kind of think it is.”
    She followed him up the steps and as they got to the front door, it opened. Standing on the other side of the screen door was a woman past middle age. Her dark hair was short and framed a classically beautiful face.
    â€œYou must be Kayla,” the woman said, an almost imperceptible Hispanic accent, giving the words a soft lilt. “I’m Maria Wilder.”
    â€œMrs. Wilder, thank you for letting me stay with you.”
    Boone’s mother laughed. “Don’t thank me yet. You haven’t met everyone.”
    Boone opened the door and motioned Kayla inside. She glanced back, worried he wouldn’t go in with her. But he did. The lifeline was intact.
    â€œI’m putting you upstairs in Boone’s old room. Janie is just down the hall from you with Essie and Allie. Michaela is across the hall. Jase and Lucas are on the other side of her. We’re downstairs if you need anything.”
    â€œI’m sure I’ll be fine. I’m so sorry for putting you out this way,” she started to explain.
    Maria Wilder waved a hand. “Don’t be silly. We don’t mind.”
    She led Kayla up the stairs to a bedroom that was small but bright and airy. A quilt covered the twin bed. A rocking chair nearby had another quilt folded over the arm. Braided rugs in soft spring colors were scattered on the wood floor.
    â€œIt isn’t much but it’s clean. And most of Boone’s smelly past has been evicted. Shoes, clothes, high school uniforms that got shoved in corners and forgotten.” Maria Wilder turned down the blanket on the bed.
    â€œIt’s