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throughout the rest of dinner, and afterward peered out the window at Jared and Dillon sifting through her brother’s tackle box on the front porch. Jared’s enthusiasm matched that of the boy’s as her brother gave a detailed explanation for each of the lures and its use.
    Did God truly look after people? She lifted the curtain to study the man on the porch. If so, why had God allowed such doom to fall on her family? It made no sense. She’d always believed that if you went after something with enough determination you would succeed. Her life testified to this. She’d succeeded at everything she pursued, whether it was barrel racing, a college scholarship, or being crowned Miss Rodeo Kansas.
    Her theory stumbled in Las Vegas when her hard work failed to pay off…and that downward spiral continued to this day. What was the answer? Who was in charge of her future? God…or herself?
    Jared glanced up at the window then, his hand batting at the night insects that drifted from the porch light. She let the curtain fall and stepped away, hoping he hadn’t seen her. To her dismay, the man rose from his position and moved to the front door.
    Rather than be caught peeping, Natalie fell into a nearby chair and grabbed the closest book. When Jared and her brother entered the room, she realized she held a telephone directory.
    â€œI wondered if we might talk before I go?” Jared aimed his question at Natalie.
    She slid the volume to a wooden stand. “Dillon, isn’t it your bedtime?”
    Her brother’s happy disposition plummeted. “But it’s early.”
    â€œYes, and it’s a school night too.” She waited for him to explode into a tantrum as he’d done every night this week since returning to school. Perhaps it had been a mistake to send him back after their father’s funeral.
    â€œYou’d better do as your sister says,” Jared interceded. “We’ll have lots of time this summer to talk about fishing—with your sister’s permission, of course.”
    To Natalie’s surprise, Dillon said good night and bounded up the flight of stairs without another word of argument.
    â€œI wish he minded me that well.” Natalie rose from her chair, feeling foolish for not having better control of the situation.
    Jared went to the door and held it open. “It’s a beautiful evening. Walk with me to my car?”
    Natalie wondered what he had in mind. She’d handled all sorts of situations as Miss Rodeo Kansas, she could surely handle Jared Logan.
    â€œOkay, you have my undivided attention,” she said once they were on the front steps. “What did you want to talk to me about?”
    He held her elbow as she went down the concrete steps, his fingers cool against her skin. “Thank you for allowing me to stay for dinner—for opening your home when you made it quite clear you didn’t want me here.”
    She hugged her arms to her chest, moving away from his touch. “You have a way with kids, or at least with Dillon. He really likes you.”
    â€œHe’s a sharp boy, which is one of the reasons I wanted to speak to you. I have experience with grief counseling. Have you considered that for your family?”
    Natalie swallowed the automatic refusal on her tongue. “I appreciate your concern, but we’re fine, or at least we will be. It’s onlybeen a couple of weeks. We’re surely allowed some time to come to terms with…his death.” Her throat tightened at having to say the word aloud.
    He stopped at his car and leaned against the dusty frame. “All I meant was it’s an option, should you find yourselves unable to cope. From what I can tell, Dillon and Chelsey seem to be doing well.”
    Yes, but if you only knew …She wrestled down the anxious reply. He didn’t know about Chelsey’s reckless behavior, or Dillon’s silent retreats from the family. Or how