Uh-oh. Maybe he shouldn’t share what he knew about the property line, because then he really would sound like a stalker. “Um . . . maybe it was before, but this portion of the trail—across the river—is for public use now. Someone sold off most of the acreage surrounding the house.”

Mackenzie stumbled at the words. Just like he thought—she hadn’t known. She turned and narrowed her eyes.

Yep. “I know. I really do sound like a stalker, but it’s public knowledge.”

And she acted surprised, as if she hadn’t known.

What are you doing, man? He wasn’t entirely sure why he’d hit the trail near her home. And now he was just lying to himself. He had never forgotten that day back in DC that he spent with her. He’d wished for more time. The part of his job that took him away was the part he hadn’t wanted.

Sure, the Diplomatic Security Services was an elite group who worked in hot spots and dangerous environments around the world. Because they protected VIPs, people often confused them with Secret Service agents. In general, most people had never heard of the DSS.

Not that he wanted fame or special treatment, but he was tired of living that life. Working that job. He might have had something with Mackenzie before if he hadn’t left. And now, he was spying on her? Every bit as bad as that drone—if spying or invasion of privacy was what was going on.

But he wanted to see her for personal reasons. To reconnect with her. And now was his chance.

“Okay, stalker guy, you know about the land when I don’t, so aren’t you going to ask what I’m doing here in Montana? Oh, wait, you already know that too, don’t you?” Suspicion emerged in her already narrowed gaze.

She was sharp, or she never would have interviewed with the DSS to begin with. “Actually, I don’t know. And full disclosure, I rode my bike on this trail because I”—how did he even explain?—“I was shocked to see you at the memorial, and then you left without acknowledging that you knew me. So, sure, I was thinking about you. And, sure, I chose a trail that would take me close to the Hanson family cabin.” She didn’t owe him anything. Maybe not even a hello. “But I had no idea you would actually be on the trail. I didn’t know you had a mountain bike.”

Though he should have suspected it, considering the activities included on the property. He’d been reading up on Gregory Hanson and his company.

Mackenzie stopped to maneuver the bike around a large boulder. “I didn’t know I had one either. I found my old bike in the garage. Dad and I used to ride . . .” Grief twisted on her face.