“Well,” he began. “What do you suppose Carly wants to discuss with us? She’s set up a pretty formal way to do it, so I have to wonder—”

“I don’t want to be rude,” she broke in, “but it’s not my place to tell you. Anyway, you’ll hear soon enough.”

“Fine, we’ll leave it for now.”

He could hear her take a deep breath. “I talked to Russ today,” she told him, staring straight ahead. “And he says he has something to show me. Something to do with my mother.”

The fact that Russ had evidence of some kind (if he really did) struck him as interesting—and potentially valuable.

“When are you going to find out what he has?”

“Tomorrow. I’m having lunch with him.”

“I hope whatever it is will be useful. Nothing too unexpected, at least not in a bad way. Nothing that’ll distress you.” He wished he could be there with her, to lend any support or offer any help he could. “I’d join you if that would help but tomorrow’s one of my patrols.”

“Thanks, I appreciate the thought. But Russ will probably do better if I’m there on my own. This time, anyway. On another subject, I should mention that Carly will want to talk to Eli and J.P., as well. Separately.”

“She told me. Makes sense.”

“The timing is up to her. She has to arrange when to see them.”

He nodded.

They were silent after that. As they reached Main Street, Cord ventured one more question, hoping she wouldn’t consider it presumptuous. “Would you be willing to stay on for another week or two? I’ve heard from some tentative clients… A couple of veterinary students interested in training therapy horses.”

“Yes,” she replied immediately. “I’d love to! Plus, it’ll give me a chance to see where the parent search goes—for both of us. And even more for Carly. Plus, I want to learn everything I can about working with horses and clients. And… I want to find out what’s going on between us. If it’s something that might last.” A moment later, she said, “I’m just trying to be completely honest with you.”

“I know.” He wasn’t sure what else he could say, other than I want to find out, too. And a moment later, he did say that, even though she already knew it. Still, some things couldn’t be said often enough…

Not quite seven yet, full daylight, though clouds were continuing to form. No sign of the darkness that would descend on them a few hours from now.

As they drove along Main, he saw several people he recognized and slowed down to wave at them. “Okay, here we are,” he said unnecessarily, pulling into Bailey’s lot. “Tina and company are already present and accounted for, I see.”