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“I didn’t want the divorce. If you want to call that contentious then so be it.”

“Why didn’t you want the divorce?”

“Because I love my wife. We had our problems, but I wanted to try and work through them.”

“Mr. Beaufort, were you ever violent with your wife?”

“Absolutely not.”

“You never put your hands on her?”

“We had our disagreements, Detective, but no, I never put my hands on her. She, however, did put her hands on me a few times if you’d care to discuss that.”

Hallorin again looked to Marks. He closed his notebook and stood. Marks followed suit. “I think we’ve got all we need for now, Mr. Beaufort.”

Allen stood along with them. He waved them toward the door. “Please, let me know if I can be of any more assistance.”

“We will.”

Marks opened the door. Female voices came from upstairs. Allen plastered on a smile as the detectives looked at him curiously.

“Overnight guest,” he said.

The detectives exchanged another glance and walked out the door. Allen bolted it behind them and hurried into the kitchen to pick his phone up off the counter where it was charging. He dialed Tito and seethed into the phone, this time leaving a voice mail.

“You stupid son a bitch, the cops were just here. They’re looking for Natalie. You better find her before they do, or I swear I’ll bury you up to your head in the desert and let the coyotes and ants devour you.”

Chapter Twenty-eight

Natalie settled back into the guesthouse and picked up where she left off, helping June with the website and emails, and helping out with the ranch chores. Each day ended with muscles she didn’t even know she had protesting in pain, but she felt fine nonetheless. She liked how a good hard day’s work left her feeling spent but accomplished. Besides, the pain was nothing a long soak in the shower couldn’t fix, and she made that one of her nightly habits, along with hot tea and some Advil. A nightly routine, that she knew, was probably very similar to Vaughn’s.

She hadn’t seen much of her since she’d come to fetch her at the end of the drive a few days before. They’d ridden Charlie back to the stables in silence. Natalie thoroughly enjoyed the feel of Vaughn’s arms wrapped securely around her as she steered the horse. She’d tried not to think much of the encounter, knowing that Vaughn had only meant the things she’d said in a general sense, but nevertheless her words had penetrated, as how the way she’d looked at her when she’d said them.

“I want you to stay.”

“Please.”

“I need you.”

The words replayed over and over in her mind, churning, with her trying to figure out what all they meant. Why did Vaughn want her to stay? How did she need her? She desperately wanted to ask, but she feared in doing so that Vaughn would retreat even further within herself. Or worse, she’d again reiterate how they weren’t ready for any sort of intimacy or relationship, bringing up not only her problems, but Natalie’s as well. Natalie didn’t want to think about her problems, even though she knew she needed to. It was just that when she did she ended up feeling anxious and hopeless, especially when it came to Allen. She feared she’d never be able to escape him. Just like he’d said.

She finished scrubbing the troughs, refilled them with fresh water, and got busy setting out hay and supplements for the next feed. The day was closing fast, nightfall coming quicker now that it was late September, which meant less daylight and time to do chores. So she started her days with Vaughn, rising at five to help muck the stalls and feed the horses. Though Vaughn seemed to appreciate the help, she remained mostly quiet, doing her work in silence, and focusing a lot on Miracle and her continued care. The mare was coming along nicely, but she still needed small, frequent feedings and Vaughn was intent on doing those herself.

Natalie finished preparing the feed and stepped back into the setting sun, wiping her brow. Voices carried to her from the house, and she saw a man and a woman walking with Vaughn. They were headed right for her. They must be more potential employees. They’d already had a few to the house to meet with and discuss the horses and the job. But so far, Vaughn hadn’t found anyone she was ready to trust.

“And this is Natalie,” Vaughn said as the trio approached. “She’s helping us out temporarily.” She didn’t bother to introduce the young cowboy and cowgirl.

Natalie said a polite hello, but the introduction had stung. Temporarily. Is that how Vaughn saw her? As just the temporary help? Had she not meant all the things that she’d previously said?

Natalie watched helplessly as the trio walked into the stables with Vaughn discussing some of the horses, while also showing them where most of the supplies were kept. Natalie followed, curious about the young cowgirl in particular. She was younger than Natalie was, that much was obvious, and she looked to have short, close-cropped hair, but it was difficult to see due to the ball cap she wore. She also had on a pair of tight Wranglers, Roper boots, and a snug fitting T-shirt, showing off a rather trim and athletic body. Her very presence felt like a potential threat and Natalie cringed each time the young woman laughed at something Vaughn said.

Natalie tried to focus on cleaning tack, but it was difficult when it seemed that the young woman was laughing every few seconds.

Laying it on rather thick, aren’t we?

Surely Vaughn would see through it.

Wouldn’t she?