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“She’s leaving?”

June nodded.

Vaughn dropped the paper and took the reins for the horse from Benny. She climbed onto Charlie and took off at a trot, soon leading her into a fast gallop, kicking up dust behind her.

June watched with relief as she went, hoping against hope that she would be in time to make a difference.

Chapter Twenty-six

Vaughn steered Charlie down the front drive and rode her as fast as she could go. Natalie steadily grew closer, and Vaughn called out for her as she neared.

“Natalie,” she said. “Wait.” She tugged on the reins and brought Charlie to a slow trot and then a walk, gliding up next to Natalie who’d stopped and squinted back at her.

She didn’t have much of a reaction; her face gave away nothing. Vaughn climbed down off the horse and led Charlie closer as Natalie picked up her pace once again.

“Going somewhere?” Vaughn asked, feeling foolish.

“You could say that.” Natalie readjusted the canvas bag on her back.

“Where you going?”

“You really want to know?”

Vaughn sped up, tugging on Charlie. “I do.”

Up ahead, a yellow cab slowed and turned down the drive. It was headed right for them.

“That’s my ride,” Natalie said.

“You called a cab?”

“Didn’t have a cell phone for a rideshare. So, I called from the landline in the guesthouse.”

The car drew closer.

“You still haven’t said where you’re going,” Vaughn said, now feeling her chest tighten in desperation. What was Natalie thinking? How could she do this? Why was she doing this?

Because of me. Because of what I said. Shit.

“I haven’t answered you because I have no answer, Vaughn. I don’t know where it is that I’m going.”

The cab came to a stop as Natalie held up her palm. She walked up to the driver’s window.

“You call for a cab?” the driver asked.

“I did.”

“Hop in.”

Natalie walked to the passenger door. Vaughn hurried after her.

“You can’t leave,” she said. “If you have no place to go.”

“Any place will be better than here,” she said, glancing back to meet Vaughn’s gaze. “After this morning.”

“Look, I—I just meant that we can’t—shouldn’t—with all that we’ve got going on—”

“I know, Vaughn. And I think you’re right. So I should go.”