“And you think you need to find a man now before all the good ones are taken?”

“Put like that, it sounds pathetic.”

“Yeah, it does, but enough about that. Let’s head back. I need to make a pitcher of margaritas and get them chilled, then order the pizza for tonight.”

“Before we do, Pip, I just want to say again, I think you should try to make it work with Dylan. At least give it a go if you feel so much for him.”

She didn’t answer Maggs because she’d urged her horse into a gallop, heading back up to the stables. Seconds later she was trying to stay on Rae’s back as she hunched and bucked.

“Piper!”

She wrestled with the reins to stop her, but the horse was determined; seconds later she felt herself flying over her ears. The impact when she hit the ground jarred every bone in her body.

Piper heard her friend’s shriek, and then Maggs arrived at her side.

“Christ, Pip!”

She couldn’t speak, the wind knocked out of her, but put up a hand to grab the one Maggs held out. Squeezing it, she reassured her friend she was okay.

“That was weird. I’ve never seen Rae do that before.”

“Me either,” Piper wheezed out. “Help me up.”

She would be stiff and sore for a few days, but there was no major damage, Piper thought, moving her limbs slowly.

Looking around, she found the horse, eyes wild, trembling. Something was very wrong.

“Let me go, Maggs.” Piper walked to where Rae stood. “Hey there, sweetheart.” She touched her nose gently to soothe her. Rae butted her hand.

“She’s saying sorry.” Maggs joined Piper.

“But why did she do it?” Moving over the horse, she ran her hands gently over the animal. Returning to the saddle, she loosened the girth, and it was then she saw the blood.

“At least Mom’s on the improve, and actually hosting bridge tonight,” Charlie said as Dylan drove out of the Howards’ driveway. “I swear that woman plays every night of the week.”

“Not sure I want to go back there until they’ve left. All those women in the house make me shudder. They’ll do things like pinch my cheeks and tell me over and over what a bad son I am for staying away so long.

“So what’s the deal? I thought you didn’t do the whole girlie thing, and yet I’m taking you to Piper’s house so you can watch chick flicks and eat junk food?”

Dylan wondered if he’d see Piper or Grace. Probably not the baby, as it was late, but maybe.... No, he couldn’t see her. He wasn’t getting closer to anyone else in this town until he knew for sure if someone was targeting him or not.