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a pretty nice guy if they’d only get to know you.”
    He shrugged. “That’s okay. Regan keeps telling me to give everyone time.”
    “Yeah, well, there are a few around here who are world-champion grudge holders, so don’t expect a miracle. But now that you mention it, that’s something I’ve been very curious about. What are your plans? Are you staying? Are you going back to Virginia? Regan’s always been vague about your next move.”
    “That’s because I’m vague about it. I don’t want my old life back, but I’m not sure what my new life should look like, or where it will take place. I’m at a crossroads.”
    She studied him quietly for a moment. “There’s this spot out on the ranch, a big flat piece of granite laced with quartz that’s sacred to the Shoshone Indians, although they really don’t go out there anymore. Some say that if you’re having trouble deciding what to do, standing out on that rock helps.”
    “What do you think?”
    “I’ve never personally used that rock to make a decision, but some of my loved ones have. It couldn’t hurt.”
    “Oh, yes, ma’am, it could. I’ve heard that in the Wild West trespassers get shot at, especially if they’re considered villainous cads, which I am.”
    Josie grinned. “I wish you and Jack could spend some time together without starting a family feud. I think you’d get along. Anyway, let me give you my cell number. If you decide to head out there, call me and I’ll make sure the coast is clear.”
    “It’s a deal.”
    When they were finished with their tea, they went out back to fetch Josie’s horse.
    Drake walked outside with her. “It was mighty kind of you to come by,” he said.
    “I mostly did it for Tracy.” She untied her horse, a large bay, and put on the hat she’d hung from the saddle horn. “I hoped to appeal to your better instincts.”
    “You did, although I was already headed in that direction.”
    She mounted up and gazed down at him. “That’s good to hear, Drake. I wish you well.”
    “Sounds as if I have one more friend around here.”
    “You do, but if you mess with Tracy, I’ll quickly become Enemy Number One.”
    “I understand.”
    “Call if you want a spiritual boost from the sacred rock.”
    “I will.”
    With a wave, she guided her horse to the front of the cabin and rode off. Drake followed and watched her dismount to lower the rail on the wooden fence marking the edge of Last Chance property. Then she led her horse across, replaced the rail and climbed back into the saddle before cantering across the meadow.
    It struck him that although he’d devoted his life to horses, he hadn’t ridden much. His parents owned thoroughbreds destined for the track, and so did all his clients. He’d passed the weight limit for being a jockey when he was twelve, and besides, he’d never aspired to that career.
    As a kid, he’d been given one of the thoroughbreds that balked at the starting gate. He’d ridden Black Velvet for a few years, but then school and girls had claimed most of his attention. His riding had become sporadic and mostly confined to summer vacations.
    He couldn’t remember the last time he’d ridden. He knew everything about the animal—skeletal structure, muscles, tendons, circulatory system...the list went on. But somewhere along the way he’d lost track of the riding part.
    Back in Virginia he rented a town house. It had never really occurred to him to buy horse property. He could guess why. He had no desire to own a stable of racehorses, and that was the only model he’d known.
    But there were other models. The Last Chance was one of them. Regan and Lily’s equine-rescue facility was another. He’d allowed his view to become very narrow, but a relationship with horses didn’t have to involve running them around a track or even caring for their medical needs.
    He wouldn’t mind taking a ride now, but he couldn’t go over to the rescue facility and borrow a horse, and he