“Maybe once at a petting zoo.” She looked past him. “I liked how green everything was. And the quiet. It was safe here.”

Because things hadn’t always been safe with her mother, she thought. As she’d gotten older, a few of her mother’s boyfriends had started paying attention to her. While it wasn’t anything she’d wanted or sought out, her mother had always blamed her.

“Gotta love the town,” she said, rather than go down a dark path to her past. “You, on the other hand, probably took the charm for granted.”

“Sure. I was a kid. That was my job.”

They started toward the barn. “I remember when we used to come out here,” Del said as they approached the large, red building. “Remember going up into the hayloft?”

She nodded. Hay hadn’t been stored up there in years, so it was mostly open and empty, with some old ranch equipment and a bunch of boxes containing who knew what. But for her and Del, it had been quiet and private. Something they’d been interested in a lot that summer.

They stepped into the barn. It was cool and dim. Light filtered in through the door and a couple of windows. Memories jostled with shadows.

“Zane would have killed us both if he’d found us,” she said, automatically lowering her voice. Because back then they’d been careful to be quiet.

“He cared about you,” Del told her. “Despite how you two didn’t get along.”

“He did. I just couldn’t see it that way. He was so annoying back then.” She looked at Del. “Do you know the only reason he met Phoebe is because I begged her to come on the cattle drive? I was worried about Chase and couldn’t get up here right after their big fight. Phoebe had some time so I asked her to come protect Chase. It was a completely selfish motive.”

“Not selfish if you were looking out for your brother.”

“Looking out for one at the expense of the other.” She sat down on a bench. Del settled next to her.

“It all worked out in the end,” he said.

“It did. I even joked with her about being a distraction for Zane. We both thought I was kidding. But she turned out to be the one.” Life was funny that way, she thought. “If Zane hadn’t been such a stick up the butt, I wouldn’t have sent Phoebe here and he might never have met her. Looking at them together, I know that would have been a really sad thing. They’re a great couple.”

She hoped her envy didn’t color her voice. She was thrilled they’d found each other, but she would like a little of that magic, too. Being happy with someone. Knowing you’d found the one. She wanted permanent.

Strange how she’d never found that. She’d dated some, but really hadn’t found anyone who interested her. Not in a significant way. That combination of friendship and sexual attraction seemed elusive.

“Love is strange,” Del said. “Look at my parents. They’ve been together for thirty-five years. I can honestly say, I don’t know what my mom sees in my dad. He’s not the nicest guy.”

“She loves him and he’s good to her.”

Del looked at her. “You’re leaving out the most important part of that sentence.”

“Which is?”

“He’s good to her, in his way.”

Maya exhaled. “I knows it seems like that, from your perspective,” she began.

“Not from yours?”

They were treading on dangerous territory. Elaine was her friend, but she was also Del’s mother. “I know he’s the only man she’s ever loved. I know she’s never regretted any part of their marriage. I know she loves him and he loves her. Is it a relationship I would be happy with?” She shook her head. “No. I’d want more of a partnership.”

“Equals,” he said firmly. “I agree. My dad stopped by a couple of days ago. He wanted to talk about Mom. He thinks there’s something going on with her, but doesn’t know what. I would applaud him being aware enough of her to notice, except the context of his concern was all about him. How she knows her place is taking care of him for his art.” He leaned back against the wall. “Maybe it’s an age thing.”

Maya was less concerned about that than what was going on with Elaine. She wasn’t surprised Ceallach had noticed something was wrong with his wife. The woman was fighting cancer. She had to be acting differently at home.

Loyalty to her friend battled with her dislike of keeping such a huge secret. If she thought about it too long, she got a knot in her stomach.

“Did your dad say what he thought was the problem?”

“No. He was pretty vague about it.”

“If he’s worried, he should talk to her.”

Del stood. “That’s not the Mitchell way,” he reminded her, holding out his hand and then pulling her to his feet. “You know we love our secrets.”

“Yes, I do.” She tilted her head. “So what secrets are you keeping?”

“None that are interesting.”

“I suspect there are a few that would raise some eyebrows.”

He chuckled. “My life is an open book.”

“Even when it comes to Hyacinth?”

She hadn’t planned the question. She hadn’t even been thinking about the other woman. At least not consciously. But apparently she had been on her mind.

“That wasn’t the most subtle transition,” he said. “What do you want to know?”