went to higher ground to check in with BB so that she’d know how the radio system worked. They’d stayed up there for a while watching the sun go down, and she’d held his hand when they walked back to camp in the gathering darkness. He liked her. She gave as good as she got, and despite her complaining, she usually completed the tasks he asked her to finish. He’d dealt with way less competent guests than she had turned out to be.
And, then sometimes she casually said something that was so out of his ballpark that he didn’t even know how to respond. Twenty-four-hour security against the nuts who tried to get to her or get in her house, never being able to drive herself anywhere in case some overly enthusiastic fan crashed into her or tried to get in her car. She talked about these things as if they were just daily inconveniences, like him getting stepped on by a horse, rather than a terrifying look at the downside of being famous.
“Cat got your tongue?”
Ben brought his attention back to Silver who was eating granola and sitting opposite him at the campfire. She hadn’t put on her makeup yet and her hair needed brushing, which made her look way more approachable.
“Just thinking about how different our lives are.” Ben finished his coffee. “I bet it’s going to feel weird going back after ten quiet days.”
“Yes, it will. It’s the first time my dad has let me out of his sight for the last two years and I’m really enjoying the freedom.” She looked down at her bowl. “I did some stupid stuff a while back, and he kind of took over everything until I got my head on straight.”
Ben desperately wanted to ask her to elaborate, but concluded he’d be as bad as the worst gossip reader if he did. If she revealed what her dad had already told Ben, would he have to come clean about that? He had a sense that it wouldn’t sit well with her.
“Sounds like my dad,” Ben said. “I did some ‘stupid stuff’ in my late teens and my dad had to bail me out. He never let me forget it.” He nodded at her coffee mug. “Do you want more, or are you ready to move out?”
“I’m good, thanks.” She shook off whatever thoughtful mood had settled on her shoulders and tipped out the dregs of her coffee onto the ground. “Where are we headed today?”
“To the outer reaches of the canyon, which is right in amongst the Sierra Nevada foothills. It’ll take us most of the day because even though it’s not that far, the terrain becomes very rocky, and we’ll have to pick our way through.”
“Okay.” She looked him over. “Don’t forget your sunscreen.”
“Already done.”
She picked up the bowl and poured the remaining hot water into it before adding the mugs and plates. Without turning around, she started speaking again. “Thanks for not asking about all the stuff that went down with my dad. I appreciate it.”
“Nothing to do with me.” Ben shrugged and immediately felt guilty. “What happens on a Morgan Ranch trail ride, stays on a Morgan Ranch trail ride.”
She snorted. He was still smiling as he walked down to get the horses and mules. Being with Silver out in the valley was helping him get his head together. Something about the quietness, the open spaces, and the lack of interruptions was calming for the soul, but it did give him way too much time to think.
Within an hour, they were packed up and on the move, Ben leading the way while Silver followed along behind, chatting away whenever something caught her eye. Her delight in the things that were so familiar to him made him appreciate what he had so much more. He couldn’t ever manage living in a city, having a desk job or commuting. Why would he want those things when he had everything he could possibly want right here on his doorstep?
Except there was something missing ... something that disturbed his sleep and made him want to break free of all the restrictions he’d placed on himself. Recently he’d felt it within him like a restless, prowling entity that demanded release, and he didn’t know what to do about it. He was the sensible, easygoing Miller, the one everyone relied on to sort things out and keep the peace. Except he hadn’t always been like that. Long ago, he’d been the rebel....