The commotion downstairs woke her about an hour later. She rushed into the kitchen to greet Cord and Mitch, then went outside with them to meet the new horse, named Patience by her rescuer. Carly and Tina were already oohing and aahing over her, another small, shaggy mare, dappled gray with a darker mane and tail. As Shallie joined them, she could already see that this one seemed more ready for affection than Annie had originally been.

Tina wondered aloud whether she’d been “released” by their local criminal, but Kelly had placed ads and sent out announcements, with no response from an owner.

They received word from the Lewises that they were picking up Holly tomorrow morning, a day earlier than expected, and would stop by the ranch on their way home to Missoula.

And according to a message on Shallie’s phone, tomorrow night she and Cord were heading over to Eli’s place to meet with Eddie again. Eddie preferred face-to-face contact when possible. It sounded as if he’d made some progress.

WEDNESDAY MORNING, CARLY didn’t get out of bed although she was wide-awake. She felt guilty as hell, no other way to describe it. She’d postponed the Big Meet with Cord and Tina; Shallie must be disgusted with her. She hadn’t gone back on her YouTube channel, either, leaving her audience in limbo.

It was her task to set up the meeting. Should she take all of them to Bailey’s? Or stay in the privacy of Cord’s home? Perhaps she should leave it up to them. She’d ask Shallie for her opinion.

She reflected that so far, she’d learned some major things during her time here. She reached for her notebook, which she fancifully called a “journal,” and started to write them down.

1. There are good people in this world. Good people and good places.

2. I have to be stronger, more courageous, get this meeting set up. OK, Friday. For sure.

3. Back when she lived here, my mom had some good friends, like Shallie. I’m happy about that. Talking to them makes me appreciate her—and miss her—even more.

4. I need to talk to Russ again, see what he can tell me about her, the town, Shallie. He’s weird but not a bad guy.

5. I love Shallie and Tina and Mitch, and I want them always to be part of my life. And Cord has been so good to me. Eli and J.P., too.

6. I love and adore animals. I’m so glad I learned this about myself. Dooley was special—but so are Holly, Bandit, Smoky the horses…

7. Music is my other passion. My loves, my future, my life will be about animals and music.

8. I’m grateful to so many people here. This search has turned out to be such a good thing.