“What else can we do? We’re basically banished from town,” River reminded them. “We can’t have a whole movie with Ruby Lou talking to the camera. I’m willing to listen if you have any better ideas, but I’m all out.”

Silence met her comment. None of them had any better ideas. She didn’t want Jessie to be worried, so she patted him on the shoulder. “We have Easton. He’s been up there plenty of times.”

“Do you think he’s as good as the online reviews say?”

River looked through the window where the mountaineer in question was helping his grandmother into the back seat of a car. Looking good in jeans and a towel was nice, but what she needed from him was a lot more important. Her career depended on it.

“I sure hope so.”

• • •

As she waited for her crew to pack up, River headed out to the porch, taking in the homestead.

The word didn’t accurately describe how immaculate the grounds were, with every stack of firewood and piece of equipment carefully organized and set in its designated space. Next to an old but meticulously maintained hay shed was a small horse paddock. Behind it was a modest livestock barn with a low-hanging metal roof. Nothing like the thirty-stall stables back at the ranch, but the three animals grazing in the paddock were as close to home as River had been in a long time.

Too long.

Since no one seemed to be needing her, River slipped off the porch and across the drive. Of the three horses searching through the dirt for the last remaining bits of hay, a gray gelding was feeling friendlier than the others, coming over to say hello.

“Hey there, handsome.” Scratching the gelding beneath the chin earned him leaning into the fence, looking for more.

“He likes you.”

The man was quiet for having so much weight on those two feet. When Easton joined her at the fence, leaning on his elbows, it occurred to River that the top of her head barely came to his shoulder. She wasn’t used to feeling short around anyone and certainly not around someone who had an annoying ability to not let her take charge of things.

“Your grandmother is incredible,” River told him.

He nodded in agreement. “Yep. You wouldn’t believe how good her pot roast is.”

River glanced over at the house where Bree and Jessie were in deep discussion on the porch. “Easton, thank you again. This is going to be amazing footage. Are you sure you don’t mind?”

He was quiet for long enough, River wasn’t sure he was going to answer. Finally, he spoke, his voice pitched quiet. “When you live in a place like this, you get a lot of strangers showing up, putting their handprints on everything. Family is one thing you don’t let anyone put their hands on.”