“I’ll have some toast and coffee, then go out for my session with Cord.”

Carly gave her a goodbye hug and followed Tina out to her car.

After buying local vegetables, eggs and cheese, plus several packages of decent coffee, Tina took Carly to a Western-wear store to get her some new jeans, a long-sleeved T-shirt and new running shoes. Carly thanked her but didn’t know what else to say. She’d realized the very first morning, after Tina had collected her laundry, that she must have seen the cash. Carly wasn’t sure how to address that, how to explain—and wondered if she should’ve offered to pay.

Tina drove by a run-down motel south of town—the Painted Pony, of course—and asked Carly if she wanted to go inside, check it out. Carly declined. “Later, okay?” No way was she up for this, seeing the place her mother had spent all those months in. “What a dump,” she muttered. “Was it always this bad?”

“I wouldn’t say it was ever what you’d call high-end, but it was definitely better than it is now.”

“Is it still in business?”

Tina shrugged. “If at all, I’m sure he doesn’t get many customers.”

Carly wondered who “he” was, but didn’t ask. Next thing she realized, they were in the parking lot at Bailey’s, and Tina said they’d have a quick lunch there, her treat. Which made Carly feel even guiltier.

She changed the subject. “Look! The sign for Classic Country Night. Cord said we’d go.”

“Great! We’ll all sit together.”

“Oh, Brynne’s not on shift right now,” Tina said as they walked inside. “Probably just as well for the moment.”

Another reference Carly didn’t understand.

They sat down at a small table near one of the side walls, and Carly glanced around, admiring the art on the walls. The collection included paintings, photographs and prints. Tina explained that Brynne had an art background and that a few of these were by locals. She pointed at a photograph of wild horses. “That one’s by a friend of Susan’s who’s very talented. It’s not only beautiful in itself but it represents our county. Wild Horse County.”

“Wow,” Carly breathed. “So gorgeous! And I didn’t know that, about the county name.”

A waitress, name of Miranda, brought them menus and rhymed off a list of specials. The last thing Carly felt right now was hungry but she ordered a small serving of nachos. Tina asked for a salmon salad sandwich with fries.

Before the food arrived, Tina looked her directly in the eye. “Carly, sweetie. I know there are a lot of…issues and questions about your background and why you’re here. To be honest, Cord confided in us. I understand you might have reason to keep certain facts to yourself. And I won’t interfere. But can you tell me one thing?”