Nobody knew. It seemed to be out of sheer mischief or malice. Whoever was doing it hadn’t, to Eli’s knowledge, directly hurt any animals, but was interfering with their safety and with the livelihood of ranchers and farmers.

Cord was furious and determined to do whatever he could to help Eli resolve this.

After lunch, they met the Lewises—and Shallie was immediately captivated by their warmth, their easygoing charm and ready smiles. Len was a large man, with abundant gray hair, in good shape; Mary Jean was of medium height, had lovely bobbed blond hair and noticeably elegant hands. They both wore new-looking jeans and long-sleeved T-shirts with the logo of a women’s curling club on the front. Mary Jean explained that she was a part-time coach, and that Len had always supported the team, attending most of their games. That impressed Shallie and so did their affection for the dogs, who responded with their usual enthusiasm. She asked why, since they were so natural and loving with animals, they didn’t have any of their own, as they’d readily admitted.

“Soon,” Len said. “Our lives are changing big-time now that we’re both retired. I was in financial management and I’m thankful to be leaving it behind. From this point on, the only finances I’m dealing with are the family’s.” Mary Jean agreed, grinning down at Bandit, who seemed unwilling to leave her side.

“Her job—” he gestured at his wife “—was, if anything, more demanding than mine. She’s a social worker and she mostly dealt with troubled and disabled kids.”

Cord left for his meeting soon after, and the three of them spent the next two hours with the horses, making contact, bonding with the rescues in particular. Mary Jean said she was “head over heels” in love with little Annie. Just like Shallie…

At various points throughout their session, the three of them talked, exchanging personal stories. Shallie told them she’d been abandoned in this town as a very young child and had lived here until her late teens and that she’d recently returned, after a failed marriage. She kept her summary brief, but predictably Mary Jean asked why she’d come back.

Shallie felt foolish, worried that she’d said too much, but in the end merely replied that she lived in Seattle, was on a “break,” had known Cord years ago and wanted to do some horse sessions with him. She finished by saying she’d had some relevant experience thanks to a friend, loved animals and was fascinated by the work.

That answer didn’t seem quite enough for Mary Jean, who probed into other reasons. Horse-training sessions were available in a lot of places, and Painted Pony Creek couldn’t have good memories for her, could it?

Shallie gave up. “You’re right. One of the reasons I’m here is to see if I can learn more about my mother.”