Owen stepped into the kitchen, smelling of horses and hay. He’d gone straight to the stables when they’d arrived this morning. Terra wasn’t sure he’d even registered that an intruder had broken in last night.

A big grin spread across his face. “Hey.” He eyed Terra. “I need to go wash up. You staying for a while?”

“No. I have to get to work.”

“Come on then, I’ll walk you out.”

Terra rinsed out her mug and put it away, then grabbed her bag and jacket.

Owen strolled with her to her vehicle parked in the circular drive. “Are you okay?”

She opened the door but remained standing. “Sure. I’m wondering about Gramps. Has he been acting strange?”

He shrugged. “I’ve been away a while, you know. But not that I can tell. He was a huge help to me with the equestrian therapists. You know he has that way about him. Everyone likes him, and respects him. He can make anything happen, if he wants to.”

“I’m glad the trip was good for you then. This is going to be great, Owen.”

He grinned.

“Do me a favor,” she added, “and keep a close eye on Gramps and the house.”

“Because of the break-in?”

“Yes.”

“I still have skills.” Owen winked.

Owen put on a good show to hide his true misgivings, but he would be okay. She believed that. Now and then she saw a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. He’d been a warrant officer and had planned to be a career helicopter pilot. Flying Apache attack helicopters in the Army was a dangerous career, and Terra was just glad to have him home alive.

Those thoughts she kept to herself.

A contemplative expression took away his smile as he glanced toward the house. Terra suspected he had more to say, but she knew that look. He wouldn’t talk to her about it now, and she also knew better than to push him.

She gave Owen a quick peck on the cheek. “Don’t forget to take that shower, but you should probably wait until you’re done with the horses for the day.”

Her cell rang. Jack. She flashed a smile at her brother. “Okay, I need to take this call. I’ll see you later. Don’t wait up for me.”

When she answered her cell, either Jack had ended the call or the signal had dropped. She climbed into her vehicle and reached for the door.

“Terra, wait.” Owen crossed his arms.

“What is it?”

“We haven’t had a lot of time to talk, and I just wanted you to know that I do plan to get my own place. It’s just Gramps. He asked me to stay and I agreed, at least for a while.”