Page 35 of The Woman Left Behind

Cade and Delphine. His other friends Rus and Cin. And Doc and Nadia. All second chance, all later in life, all fell quick, and now all solid.

Shit.

“I get it, whatever you think you gotta do,” Doc stated. “But you’re a good man, Harry, and one thing I know is true, when the shit hits the fan, you need as many good people around you as you can get. Think about that.”

Harry made no reply, because he was thinking about it.

“I’ll tell Nadia she’s got time to figure it out, and we’ll see you when we see you,” Doc concluded.

“I wouldn’t say no to being invited over for Nadia’s cooking in the meantime, or your beer brats,” Harry replied.

Doc’s voice held humor when he said, “Okay then, I’ll talk with my woman and let you know. Later, Harry.”

“Later, Doc.”

They disconnected. Harry took a sip of his beer and resumed staring at the stables.

Winnie loved riding. They didn’t have enough land for her to roam free, but they did have permission from their neighbors on both sides for her to ride their land, which was where he found her, on his neighbor’s property to the east, after he came home from work, and she wasn’t home and didn’t come home or answer her phone.

But her horse came home without her.

Harry hadn’t entered those stables since. His brother had taken care of selling the horses and all the tack. His father and brother had spread the hay in the field so it would return to the earth. And they’d closed those stables down. Harry hadn’t even used them for storage.

They added value to the land. They were still in good nick.

But it was time for them to go.

On that thought, his phone buzzed against his thigh.

He glanced down at the screen to see an unknown number, and considering he was sheriff, he didn’t have the luxury of ignoring it.

He put it to his ear. “Harry Moran.”

“Hey, Harry,” Lillian greeted.

Harry scooted back in his seat and took his feet off the stump, causing all three of his dogs to come alert.

“Hey,” he replied. “Everything okay?”

“I just…do you have time? Is it all right for me to call you?”

Fuck yes to both questions.

“You can call me anytime. What’s up?”

“I talked to George—” she began.

“George?” he asked, and damn, it came out sharp.

“My neighbor. Dad’s best friend.”

Okay then.

“You talked to him about what?” Harry inquired.

“Well, I haven’t told my grandparents about what might be happening,” she stated, but said no more.

“All right,” he prompted.

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