There’d been no feed left to salvage. Only a few pieces of tack left. But the last four stalls closest to the back still stood solid. Zach had been out, verified that what was left was structurally sound. That was something at least. And with no other clear direction, she’d thrown herself into cleaning. After an hour the stalls still looked pretty much the same, the walls still black with smoke. Exhaustion crept in and her entire body ached like it hadn’t in a very long time.
Gazing out the small window to the low pasture, she watched Winnie and felt the tears gather along with a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. It could have been so much worse. She’d go for a ride later, get away from the entire place that smelled like the smoky remains of an abandoned campfire. And from the memories of last night.
Had it really only been a day since she and Stephen made love out there beyond the trees? When she’d lain with her head on his chest while the wind played through the leaves above them? A breath away from saying she loved him? Did he still love someone else? Would he always?
Trace. Tracy. She didn’t want to be jealous of a dead woman. Couldn’t blame him. Didn’t blame him.
The flower doesn’t have to mean anything. So why was she so afraid it did?
“Hey, sis.”
She turned at the sound of Luke’s voice, forcing a weak smile and rubbing at her right forearm.
“You’re doing too much.”
“What else can I do?”
He stood with her, scanning the depressing remains. “You’re holding up.”
She was trying.
“You’ve held up under all this. And the land thing too.” He slung an arm around her shoulders, squeezed. “You really are stronger than any of us gave you credit for.”
Hannah smiled up at her brother, warmed by his sudden praise.
“I’m taking off, but I’ll be back.”
“Thanks.” He stepped away and she picked up her shovel.
“Oh, yeah. Your boyfriend was out looking for you earlier. Said he’d be back.”
She wondered why Stephen had come out so soon, knowing she was going to the hospital.
“He’s turned out to be okay.” Luke turned back, gave her a wink. “You’re okay too.”
—
Two more hours of scooping ashes and she was done. Past done. Hannah dropped her head in exhaustion.
The sound of a car drew her attention. Not Stephen’s new truck. Not one of her brothers. She stepped out and watched the doors of a cherry-red sports car open simultaneously.
The driver worked with Stephen, Dave something. A woman exited the passenger side. The same one who’d wobbled in her heels to hurry Stephen along the first time he’d been out here.
The two murmured between themselves until they got close.
“Dave Pietro.” He stuck out his hand, saw Hannah’s, black with soot, and dropped it back to his side. “Stephen’s partner at Trace Development.”
“Yes. I remember. Hi.”
“I don’t think we’ve formally met,” the woman said. “Though I believe I’ve seen you once before. The day Stephen and I drove out to look at the property? Camila Tovarez, legal counsel for Trace Development.”
Drove out to look at the property?
“I was sorry to hear about your trouble,” Dave said, interrupting her thoughts as he turned and took in the mess.
“Thank you.”
“Though it could actually be seen as a good thing, silver linings and all that.”
Huh? “How could it be a good thing?”
He faced her, his eyes hidden behind sunglasses, as were the woman’s. “Less to bulldoze, less cost. And good for you as well.”
“I’m sorry. I’m not following you.”
“Well, the insurance. It’s not much, a pitiful amount really, and technically it should go to us since it was under contract before the fire. But we’re willing to defer to you. Help you relocate.”
His smug smile said he was pleased with himself, though she didn’t understand why. “Under contract?”
“Well, yes. You did know this property had fallen under intestacy laws and would be sold by the city? And you knew— Wait a minute. Stephen didn’t tell you?”
Hannah wiped the damp hair back from her forehead. It was hot, she was tired, and she wasn’t processing. “Tell me what?”
“Shit. I’m sorry. He should’ve told you. We bought the property, signed off on the deal weeks ago, though it just went through this morning. Frankly, I was surprised it didn’t cause trouble between you.”
Stephen bought the land? Stephen bought the—
“You look surprised, darling,” the woman crooned. “What did you think he was doing out here?”
Her fingers still gripped the rake, but she didn’t feel it. Everything in her focused on making sense of something that made no sense. She shook her head against the faint buzzing. “No. Stephen said they wouldn’t sell. He said we’d change their minds.”
Dave laughed softly. “Yes, well, even I was surprised at the lengths he went to, involving himself with your little horse fair. Gotta give him credit, though. You know Stephen.” He smiled, speaking to both women now. “Always gets what he wants. The man just doesn’t lose.”
Camila looked pointedly at her. “In this case, it was the land, honey. Not you.”
“It took some work, though the information you provided was helpful, maybe even essential,” Dave said. “The fact that there was no actual will.”