Chapter Twenty-Five
Lost in thought, Sarahgot to her feet and wandered to the window overlooking The Grinder.Outside, she watched through tinted glass as men performed endless pushups, sit ups, and labored on weight machines.She didn’t see Ben.Maybe he was still over at the shoot house.
Could she really go back to New York, to her old life?Did she want the parties, the fame, the camera’s blinding flash?
Naturally, she’d need to return to New York and leave the ranch behind.
Would she even be safe in New York?
Had her stalker moved on, given up?She was so tired of worrying about him, who he was, and why he wanted to harm her.The only time she felt safe was when Ben was nearby.
She’d have to leave Big Jim and Milly and only see them as sporadically as she had before.
Sarah pursed her lips.The idea didn’t sit well.She loved the ranch, loved her parents, and if that was their desire, she wanted to help Milly and Jim get together.
Living on a ranch wasn’t easy, often requiring hard labor and constant chores.However, she didn’t mind, not even the tough jobs, like digging postholes by hand.She thought about her new baby chicks.She liked chickens, liked their pretty feathers and their homey pecking ....and she’d wanted fresh eggs for her and Jim.
If she returned to modeling, there wouldn’t be any more eggs.Too fattening.She’d be back to the hated lemon juice in warm water.There wouldn’t be any horseback riding or working in the pastures with her hands.
She had friends in New York, other models, agents, and managers.She wouldn’t be alone.
Only ....Mira would no longer be there.
At the memory of the beautiful Finnish model who’d been Sarah’s very best friend, her mood plummeted.The image of Mira’s porcelain skin, her tall elegance, her interesting accent, her loyal friendship—they all struck Sarah like a bullet in the back.She missed Mira, missed her so much.
Sarah stared into the middle distance, seeing nothing, hearing nothing, while waves of pain rolled over her.She didn’t hear Ben come to the office.
“What’s wrong, Sarah?”From out of nowhere, he stood beside her, peering into her face, his features creased in concern.
Jerked out of her reverie, Sarah quickly brushed away the single tear that leaked from the corner of her eye.With her feelings raw, laid bare, it felt wrong to lie.“I was remembering, remembering something sad.”
He nodded, his eyes perceptive.“Was it the event that made you quit your career?”
Still uneasy about discussing it with him, she wasn’t surprised at his insight.“Yes.”
He put his arm around her and drew her to his side in a quick hug.“In a few minutes, we’ll be knocking off for the day.I’m not much of a cook, but I can grill a mean steak.While we eat, you can tell me about it.”He studied her.“Okay?”
Sarah drew a breath deep into the bottom of her lungs.She hadn’t talked to anyone about Mira’s death.Not ever.Yet, here was Ben, interested and caring, giving her a supportive hug, and she supposed it was time to share.Perhaps in the telling she could find some small measure of peace.“Okay.Let me do the cooking.We’ll have chicken.”
