can do to stop this happening again.”
Ben groaned and met his brother’s gaze. “I’m sorry, Adam. I had no idea it would get this crazy or that these fools would go to such lengths just to get a look at me.”
“It’s okay.” Adam stowed his phone away and glanced at the cows. “We’d better leave them where they are, today. I don’t want to upset them any further.”
They left the field and took a circuitous route back to the house just in case there were any other unexpected surprises. Kaiden had reported that there were a couple of people camped out at their gate and more in Morgantown, but no one had asked him for his opinion on anything yet. He’d sounded quite disappointed.
“I can’t stay here if this is going to affect the ranch,” Ben said abruptly.
Adam gave him a sideways glance. “This is probably the safest place to be right now.”
“Not if someone I love gets hurt. Imagine what will happen if Dad comes across any of these guys.” Ben blew out a breath. “When we get home, I’ll call Silver’s PA, and tell her what’s going on. Maybe she can suggest something.”
“You sure you don’t want to hunker down here and wait them out?” Adam looked concerned. “They can’t hang around forever.”
“Maybe not, but I don’t like it,” Ben said. “If I can do something to make things better, I’ll do it.”
They reached the barn and Ben dismounted and checked Calder over. He seemed fine but was still a little overheated. Ben patted his neck.
“You missed your calling, Calder. You should’ve been at the NPR finals in the bucking chutes.”
Calder nuzzled his face and Ben offered him a carrot stick.
Adam came over. “I’ll look after him, if you want to go and call Silver’s PA.”
“Thanks, bro.” Ben tried to smile. “I appreciate it.”
He went into the house, which was quiet because he and Adam had returned early, took his cell into the farm office, and closed the door.
She answered immediately. “This is Ayla. How may I help you?”
Ben parked himself on the edge of the desk. “We’re having problems here with the press invading our ranch and scaring our cattle and horses.”
“Gosh, Ben, I’m so sorry.” Ayla paused. “Do you think you need to get out for a while until things settle down?”
“Yeah.”
“Can you hold on a sec?” Ayla asked.
He waited for what felt like an hour for her to come back to him and then a different voice spoke in his ear.
“Hey, Ben, this is Phil Meadows. I’m really sorry for all the hassle.”
Ben didn’t have anything to say to that so he kept quiet.
“I was wondering whether you would consider doing this—we’ll fly you out to L.A., you do one public news conference confirming Silver’s story, and then we send you off on a two-week vacation somewhere warm until everything blows over.”
Ben considered the idea. “Why do I need to do the news thing?”
“Because everyone will get what they want in one hit, and then they’ll be off to the next thing. Silver’s reputation will not only be restored, but enhanced, and you’ll be free of any further issues.” Phil paused. “It would mean a lot to Silver to get this movie role. She really wants to change direction, and I want her to be happy.”
So did Ben, but he wasn’t going to share that with her old man.
“Are you sure Silver is okay with this?”
“Of course she is,” Phil said firmly. “In fact, she’s looking forward to seeing you.”
Ben’s heart leapt at that comment and he knew he was smiling like a fool. The thought of seeing her again—of her being grateful to him was really motivating.
“Okay, then. I’ll do it.”
Chapter Seventeen
Nadeem came into Silver’s office and looked expectantly at her.
“You ready to go?”
“And do what?” Silver pointed at her phone. “No one wants to talk to me right now so I’m hardly busy.”
“For the press conference.” Nadeem frowned. “Didn’t Mr. Meadows tell you?”
“No.” Silver folded her arms over her chest. Her dad hadn’t been speaking to her much since the revolt over the dinner table.
“I was thinking you could go casual, like maybe even in jeans and a T-shirt? The kind of stuff you wore on the trail ride? That would give a great visual.”
“Nadeem, slow down. What are we having a press conference for?” Silver asked.
“To present both sides of the story.” Nadeem blinked at her. “It’s a genius idea, and I don’t know why I didn’t think of it.”
Silver was beginning