The truth was, she’d done nothing but lie around the house for weeks. It had to be depression. Depression brought on by guilt, Brad’s death, her own survival, the blood money that was sitting in her bank account.

Dad walked into the dining room and beamed at her. “How’s my baby girl doing?”

“I’m fine, Dad,” she lied. “How’s the new pasture working out?”

He placed a large warm hand on her shoulder and kissed the top of her head. “Oh, the cattle seem to appreciate it. Did you want to come out with me sometime?”

Kathy’s throat tightened with sadness as she thought of helping out again on the ranch. Dad had grown up raising cattle and riding horses, and he could fix just about anything that broke. Ranching was in his blood. But for Kathy, the idea of being stuck here as a rancher terrified her.

She shook her head. “No. Thanks, Dad.”

Her father nodded and gave her a reassuring smile, which only made her feel worse.

Jasper padded into the room, plopped his heavy head on Kathy’s lap and let out a big breath. She gave his head a scratch. Somehow, the dog always seemed to know when she was about to break, and his comforting presence helped her maintain control.

Mom walked in with a tray of roast beef and new potatoes. She laid it on the table, then looked at Kathy and asked, “Honey, how’s your tummy? I have salad ingredients if you think you’re not yet ready for heavier food.”

“A salad would be great.” Kathy pushed back from the table. “I’ll go make it—”

“Don’t you budge, young lady.” Mom cast a frown at her. “You just relax. I’ll be back in a second.”

Dad’s gaze followed Mom as she made a beeline for the kitchen. As soon as she disappeared, he peered at Kathy and asked, “Are you sure you’re okay, Kathy? I was thinking, if there’s something… something the doc in Ash Springs can’t help with… your mom and I can take you to one of the big clinics in Vegas. Even if it’s just to talk.”

Kathy smiled at her father. It was the closest he’d ever come to suggesting that she maybe had something wrong in her head. “I’ll be fine, Dad. Don’t worry.”

Mom returned with a large wooden bowl filled with salad ingredients. “Is everyone okay with raspberry vinaigrette? I didn’t have the ingredients for other kinds of dressings.”

“Honey, that sounds delicious,” Dad remarked amiably.

Kathy smiled up at her Mom as she began tossing the salad. “My favorite.” She stroked Jasper’s head and tried to focus for once on the here and now.