Nothing looked familiar to her, though, and she knew the only way she’d find the leaning tree was if she blindly stumbled upon it. She had to remind herself that she’d been seventeen the last time she’d walked out here. It was kinda strange knowing that Cassidy’s father had owned the woods all that time. She didn’t remember ever seeing anyone out here, but surely, over all those years, Cassidy and her family had come out, if only to check on it. Although she did remember Cassidy saying she’d never had the opportunity to come out, so maybe she hadn’t. She made a mental note to ask Cassidy the next time she saw her.

Sunday morning, Cassidy had popped over as usual, but they hadn’t even finished their first cup of coffee when her company had come outside. She’d gone back over—albeit reluctantly, Laura had noticed—and entertained them. They were out at the pool until nearly one and by three, all was quiet after they’d headed back to the city…Cassidy included.

Laura didn’t quite know what to make of their friendship. Was it even a friendship? Did a few minutes sharing coffee time count? Still, she liked her. Their time chatting was always entertaining. She wondered, though, why Cassidy felt the need to always have someone with her over the weekends. Whether it was only one—whoever she happened to be dating that week—or another couple…or a party, as she’d warned Laura there’d be one over the upcoming long weekend. Laura hadn’t given the holiday much thought. When she lived in Dallas, there was always a cookout at someone’s house. She supposed she could do burgers for her and her mother. Or…she could invite Carla over. But that would mean dealing with the twins.

“No,” she murmured. Why ruin the holiday?

She kept walking, shocked to come upon a barbed wire fence. Had she made it all the way across Cassidy’s property already? She looked around, trying to get her bearings. She had a moment of panic, fearing she was lost, then reminded herself it was only ten acres. Surely she could find her way out again.

She looked overhead, finding the sun. It had been one o’clock when she’d left. She figured Cassidy’s pool boys would be finished by the time she returned. Not that she was anxious to get in the pool or anything.

“Yeah, right,” she said with a smile.