The judge took her place, and they were instructed to sit. Heidi perched on the edge of her chair, her back straight, her hands clasped tightly together.

The courtroom was filled. She tried not to look at who had come to see her publicly humiliated. She knew May and Glen were there. Heidi’s friends would show up to offer support. She was less sure about Rafe. He might have already left for San Francisco. Or maybe he’d come to gloat.

The judge slipped on her glasses and studied the paperwork in front of her. Heidi told herself to keep breathing.

The judge looked up and removed her glasses. “Ms. Simpson.”

Heidi rose.

“I am deeply disappointed in you, Ms. Simpson. I believe I made myself very clear when you and your grandfather were last before me. I had hoped you and the Stryker family would come to terms, but I see that is not the case.”

Heidi’s mouth began to tremble, and she did her best to keep from crying.

The judge paused. “Do you have an explanation?”

“No, Your Honor. I’m disappointed in myself, as well. When I discovered Mr. Stryker planned to use the ranch to build a development, I went a little crazy. I was angry and hurt and felt betrayed. All I’ve wanted all my life is a home. A place to belong. I thought I’d found that here, in Fool’s Gold. I have my grandfather and my friends, my goats, the ranch.”

She drew in a breath. “When Harvey got sick, and Glen took the money from Mrs. Stryker, I knew everything I loved was in danger of being lost. You gave me a second chance, and I was very appreciative. I’ve been saving money to repay Mrs. Stryker. I’ve expanded my business. May and I have been working well together. She’s bought some animals and made improvements. When I found out about what Rafe had planned, I should have gone to her.”

“But you didn’t.”

Heidi shook her head.

“While I can sympathize with your distress upon discovering what Mr. Stryker planned to do, there is a big difference between a plan and an action. You chose to act, Ms. Simpson. You deliberately deceived this town you claim to love. You defrauded the people you care about. Once again, our town is being mocked in the media, something those of us who have lived here all our lives do not appreciate.”

A tear slipped down Heidi’s cheek. She brushed it away.

“There is no excuse for your behavior. You have disrespected yourself, your community and this court.”

“Your Honor?” May rose and waved her hand.

“Yes, Mrs. Stryker.”

“Please don’t be angry with Heidi. I’m not, and don’t I have the most reason? She and I can work something out. We’ll share the ranch. I don’t want Heidi to lose her home.”

More tears fell. Heidi couldn’t believe May was defending her, offering to help her.

“I’m afraid it’s not your decision,” the judge said. “Ms. Simpson must suffer the consequences of her actions.” She turned to Heidi. “The D.A. has discussed bringing charges, but at this time, she would prefer not to. So you will not be going to jail.”

Heidi’s knees nearly gave way. She hadn’t considered jail an option.

“However, with the exception of the caves where you age your cheese, Ms. Simpson, and one acre surrounding the caves, I’m awarding the Castle Ranch to Mrs. Stryker.”

Judge Loomis banged her gavel. “This court is adjourned.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

HEIDI SAT IN THE BOOTH at Jo’s Bar, her hands wrapped around her diet soda. Charlie and Annabelle were with her, making sympathetic noises. Actually, that was mostly Annabelle. Charlie was more into action and thought they should go find Rafe and punish him. She was a little vague on the details of the punishment.

“It’s not his fault,” Heidi said firmly, determined to not complain. She’d made a choice, and now, as the judge had pointed out, she would deal with the consequences.

The sound of the banging gavel still echoed in her head. She’d heard the news and run. Run from Glen, run from May, who called after her to wait. Run from them all, because she couldn’t face them or what she’d done.

“Rafe didn’t do anything,” she continued. “He had some ideas, made plans, but he didn’t act.”

“Only because he didn’t have time,” Charlie grumbled. “I could take him.”

Heidi was less sure of that. Charlie might be strong, but Rafe’s muscles were honed through hard, physical labor. And he was a guy—which meant he started with an excess of upper body strength.

Annabelle’s delicate features were sharp with anguish. “It’s my fault. I encouraged you to fake the find. I helped with the cave paintings. If I hadn’t gotten in the way, you would have talked to Rafe, and none of this would have happened.”

“Even I know it wasn’t all because of you,” Charlie muttered.

“She’s right,” Heidi said. “I don’t blame anyone but myself. I didn’t like what I was doing, but I did it, anyway. I asked you to put the word out because I was hurt. Rafe had gone on a date without telling me.”

Both her friends stared at her.

“What does that…” Annabelle caught her breath. “You were sleeping with him.”

Charlie’s blue eyes widened. “No way.”

“Way,” Heidi told them. “I couldn’t help myself.”

“He is hunky,” Annabelle said with a sigh. “I miss hunky. Honest to God, I can’t remember the last time I slept with a hunky guy. Or a not-so-hunky one. Sex is a distant memory. I think it was a Tuesday.”

Charlie leaned toward her. “Not about you.”

Annabelle blinked. “Oh, right. Sorry.” She put her hand on top of Heidi’s. “Putting the pieces together, you didn’t just lose your home, you lost the man you love.”

Charlie straightened. “You love him? When did that happen? Why didn’t I know this?”

Heidi started to say she didn’t, but there had already been too many lies. “I’m not sure when it started, but yes, I love him. I’ve been so scared to trust myself and my heart. I worried about getting lost, about not being strong enough.” She drew in a breath. “I lost everything this morning. My home, my plans for the future, my pride. I’ve learned a lesson about who I am, and here’s what I know. I’m strong and I’ll survive this. I have my goats and my business.”

Ironically, her business was in better shape than ever, thanks to Rafe. She had product going overseas; she’d started selling in specialty stores in L.A. and San Francisco.

“It’ll take me a few years to save the money for a down payment, but I’ll buy other land eventually.”

“So you’re not leaving?” Annabelle asked anxiously.

“No. I belong here.”

Fool’s Gold was where she wanted to be. This town had become her home.

“What about him?” Charlie asked.

Heidi assumed her friend meant Rafe. “I don’t know. He’s leaving, if he’s not already gone.”

“He was in court this morning. He didn’t look happy.”

“I can’t imagine why not. He’s getting everything he wanted.” Heidi fought against hopelessness. “May will be upset. She’s not the type who revels in winning, but Rafe doesn’t believe in taking prisoners. He’ll get over any guilt he might feel.”

Along with any other emotions, she thought sadly. Because she honestly didn’t know what their relationship had been to him. What he wanted, she couldn’t be. And even if she could, she wouldn’t do that to herself, wouldn’t try to change to fit some preconceived mold of the perfect wife and mother.

Jo walked over and slapped a piece of paper on the table. “I’m not sure why everyone thinks I like taking messages.” She slid the paper toward Heidi. “Take it.”

Heidi looked at the sheet. There were notes about different rental houses. The number of bedrooms, the locations, the cost per month. Beside each listing were notes.

Tell Heidi no deposit required. She’s family.

There are two master suites. Perfect for Heidi and her grandfather.

Big yard. Pets okay, and I wouldn’t mind if she used the goats to mow the lawn.

Heidi looked at Jo. “I don’t understand.”

“Word spread. Everyone knows what happened in court this morning. You need a place to stay, and we take care of our own.” Jo shrugged. “It’s pretty simple.”

Heidi opened her mouth, then closed it. Whatever shame lingered in her body was pushed out by

gratitude.

Jo tapped the list. “The house with the big yard is great. Updated kitchen on a quiet street. It’s the closest to the ranch. Oh, and these just came.”

She put three large, disklike campaign buttons on the table, then walked away.

Annabelle and Charlie each reached for a button. Heidi picked up the third one and stared. In big block letters it read: Team Heidi.

For the second time in as many minutes, she felt confused. “What is this?”

Charlie was already pinning hers on. “We’re taking sides. Team Heidi, Team Rafe. My guess is no one is going to be stupid enough to wear a Team Rafe button.”

Annabelle held hers up to the front of her dress, moving it from her right side to her left. “Where do people look first?” she asked.

“If you want women to see it, put it on the left. If you want guys to see it, put it on your boobs.”

“Very funny.” Annabelle secured it to the left side and patted the button. “I like it.”

Heidi blinked as the ramifications of the pin crashed into her. Someone had taken the time and trouble to make sure she knew she was loved. Maybe only a few people would wear the buttons, but seeing even one would be amazing.

“I don’t deserve you guys,” she whispered, pinning the button to the left side of her T-shirt.

“That’s true,” Charlie said cheerfully. “But you’re stuck with us. We’re like weeds in the lawn. You might think you’ve gotten rid of us, but we just bounce right back.”

* * *

HEIDI SAT IN HER TRUCK, staring at the small house. It was pretty, with a new roof and fresh paint. Flowers grew alongside the walkway, and the bushes were neatly trimmed. It was a charming home. She would guess there was plenty of hot water and that all the appliances were in working condition. As far as rentals went, it was perfect.

And nothing she wanted.

She wanted to be back on the ranch, hoping she could finish washing her hair before the water went cold. She wanted to fight with the washer, wince at the faded and slightly peeling paint, and listen to the porch creak when she walked on it. She wanted to see May’s menagerie of old, unwanted animals, ride Shane’s horses and watch the sun set over the gentle hump of Priscilla’s silhouette.

Despite her promises to be strong, she felt like a failure. Consequences sucked. She supposed the sooner she accepted that, the better.

She glanced at her watch. She was a few minutes early for her appointment to see the house. Maybe she would walk around and look at the backyard while she was waiting.

As she climbed out, a bigger, older truck pulled up behind hers. She watched her grandfather park and then walk toward her.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

Glen reached her and wrapped his arms around her. “I got a call that you were here, and I came to look at the house.”

“Who called?”

“One of your friends.”

She hugged him back, inhaling the familiar scent of him, and the memories that came with the man who had been her only family nearly her entire life.

“But you’re not moving in with me,” she said. “You’re staying with May.” She stepped back. “I’ve seen you two together, Glen. You’ve known a lot of women, more than I want to ever imagine.”

He smiled. “I always promised, no details.”

“I appreciate that. But I have to admit, you’ve got something special with May. You really care about her.”

“Yes, but you’re my granddaughter. I’m not going to stay with her when you’ve lost everything and it’s all because of me.”

She hugged him again, holding on tight. “It wasn’t you. It was me. I think if I hadn’t screwed up, the judge would have given me a better deal. Or I could have worked something out with May. You were helping Harvey. I would rather have things work out the way they did, with him alive, than the alternative.”

He kissed her forehead. “You’re a good girl. I love you, Heidi. I’m not leaving you.”

She felt his caring, his support, and it gave her strength. She stepped back and smiled. “Maybe it’s time for me to be on my own. I’m twenty-eight. We should probably risk it.”

He touched her cheek. “You’ve been taking care of me for years. You just think I haven’t noticed. This isn’t about you being on your own—it’s about you being alone.”

“Maybe it’s time for that, too.” She took his hand in hers. “Glen, don’t lose May because of me. I don’t want that. She’s a wonderful woman. It’s taken you decades to fall in love. Why would you walk away from that?”

“There was your grandmother,” he began.

“Oh, please. You got her pregnant and had to marry her. It wasn’t a love match. You never admitted it, but I always knew the truth. You got lucky and she left you. Otherwise, you would have been miserable.”

He smiled. “You’ve always been a smart girl.”

“So listen to me. I’m renting this house on my own. You’re going back to May. I insist. Even if you don’t, I’m not letting you move in here. So you’ll have to find your own place.”