“To the guesthouse,” Seth replied. “She’s staying there for a couple of months.”

“I didn’t realize there was anyone else on the property. I mean, I saw what must be her car when we came yesterday, but I assumed it was one Maxi left behind.”

“That car has to be something she picked up dirt cheap when she totaled hers, because it’s nothing Maxi would ever own. And she’s not just anyone, Eli. That’s Tia Beckett, the movie star who was in the car accident a month ago.”

Eli looked stunned. “Oh! That’s why I recognized her! Cora dragged me to see the movie she was in, and I read about her accident. So she damaged her face? How bad is it under those bandages? She was beautiful in the movie. I mean...wow.”

Hesitant to say anything about her scars, especially because he hadn’t seen the full extent of them himself, Seth pursed his lips. “I’m more worried about what’s going on inside her head. She’s struggling.”

“Of course she would be. Damn...” He raked his fingers through his hair. “I was being a jackass when I came in. I’m sorry.”

“You didn’t know.”

Resting his hands on his hips, he continued to stare at the guesthouse, even though Tia was now inside. “You think she’s going to be okay?”

Seth rubbed his chin. “I don’t know. Christmas is coming.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“Things get harder when everyone else is happy and celebrating.”

Eli studied him. “For her or for you?”

“For both of us,” he admitted.

Six

Tia regretted going over for dinner. Now there was someone else in Silver Springs who knew she was here, and who could say how many people he’d tell? His wife, for sure. Then his wife would tell her friends and family, they would tell a few more people, and the word would spread from there.

In this small a town, she could only imagine how fast the news would travel.

Would she still feel safe?

Once again, she considered going back to LA. But when she remembered the frenzy of reporters that’d besieged her condo after she was released from the hospital, she couldn’t bear the thought of it. Neighbors who’d been fine before had suddenly become as intrusive as the press, and they used any excuse they could to knock on her door. When she wouldn’t answer, some even tried to peek in the windows or enter uninvited.

Fortunately, she’d been smart enough to keep her doors locked at all times, but the mere attempt jangled her nerves. She’d cringed every time she heard the handle rattle. Everyone claimed they just wanted to check on her, make sure she was okay, get her whatever she needed. But that was an excuse to act as they would normally never act.