He’d tried to talk to Vera about how he felt, but she wouldn’t listen. “It is what it is. You can’t feel guilty because you do or don’t love someone.”

“It’s a matter of ruining lives. Gabby—”

“So marry her!” Vera snapped. “Marry her, have a dozen kids, live in a two-bedroom house on Rafe’s ranch and lead the most normal life there ever was. It’s your choice.”

Miguel never had an answer about what he wanted. All he was sure of was that he and Vera had loved each other since they were kids. Her adventurous spirit and his down-to-earth personality meshed. He imagined that their life would be Vera getting into trouble and him rescuing her.

Only once had he tried to talk to her about the reality of their future. Would they have children? A home? Miguel had always liked planting things and watching them grow.

Vera’s answer had been puzzlement. “How can we haul a pack of kids around the world?” He didn’t want an argument, so his reply had been kisses.

As he held a level to the fence post, he asked himself what he really did want in life. When Rafe said hello, Miguel jumped. “I didn’t hear you drive up.”

Rafe nodded toward the horse tied under a tree. “Since you’re so good at running off, I thought I’d come quietly.” He spoke in Spanish. He took the level and held it against the post while Miguel filled the hole. “Gabby is going back to her parents.”

“I know.” Miguel’s voice was soft.

“Are you sure about you and Vera?”

“I love her. Like breathing. And it’s been that way since we were kids.”

“Yeah, I understand that. But she plans to go to Africa.”

“And I’m going with her.” Miguel sounded defiant.

“After you got back from Vietnam, you said you never wanted to leave this country again. You said Maine was too far away for you.”

“Love changes a person.”

“Does it?” Rafe asked. “Does it change your entire personality? Forey and I always wanted the same things. Just a quiet life in the country. I don’t think our marriage would have lasted if one of us suddenly decided to move to another country that has a different language, a different everything. Adam said he didn’t even have indoor plumbing in Africa. He said—”

Miguel stood up straight, his face angry. “The days of having to hear about the glory that is Adam Hatten are over. I’m done with that.”

“And you won the prize?” Rafe said. “You won his girl? Did Vera ever really want to be Mrs. Adam Hatten? Or was he her ride to Africa? Did she just change drivers?”

“I’m not going to listen to any more of this.” Miguel’s fists were clenched at his sides.