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“You heard that podcast this morning, and I did too.” Danner reaches across the split rail and squeezes my forearm.

I rip my hand away. “Dude, what the hell. Yeah, I heard it, I ain’t paying it no mind. Just go do your garden thing. Damn.”

When Danner doesn’t move a muscle, I roll my eyes. “The more we let people in, the more we end up on that damn podcast. I already knew she cheated. We weren’t that serious to begin with, didn’t need everyone in town knowing, is all.”

“People will forget. There’ll be some other salacious piece of gossip coming, and everyone will move on.”

“Thanks,” I mumble.

But for once, I know Danner is right. There will be big news coming. Whoever’s behind thatBoots and Bitchingpodcast has been running this town’s narrative long enough. I’m ready to unmask them.

“No problem. You will be amazed at how much lighter you feel when you talk through things instead of keeping them bottled up.” Danner’s still looking at me like I’m a puppy at the dog shelter.

I cut my eyes at him, but the ghost of a smile plays on my lips. “Damn Danner, give it a rest. You show up here making people talk about feelings and shit. I’ve just gotten over the fact that you're staying on the ranch forever, let’s call it good. Youdon’t have any more secret Kingridge brothers running around California, do you? Because I don’t think I can take it.”

“No,” Danner chuckles. “Just my sister Eliza, and she’s planning on making a trip out here for Christmas, so you’ve got some time to mentally prepare.”