There was no edge to the question or pressure in his tone. He was honestly concerned about her—and concerned with everything she appeared to be keeping inside.
Was she protecting herself? Or was she protecting everyone around her by keeping these secrets?
Rowan let out a long breath. “There’s not much to say. I left. I told the people who needed to know that I was going, that there was an emergency I needed to handle. That should have been enough, but people have to make a mountain out of a molehill.”
“That’s not what I asked. I asked whatactuallyhappened. There has to be a reason you left. It’s not like you. You like to finish what you start. I know your dad instilled that work ethic in you and that you hate it when people think you’re flighty.”
Rowan crossed her arms, her gaze shifting past him toward the trees. “I do pride myself in being a hard worker. But . . . in Hollywood things are different. The whole culture is different. People love building sensational stories out of nothing. It’s gossip at its finest.”
“They do. But that doesn’t explain what I read.” Wes stopped walking and turned toward her. He shifted his weight and kepthis voice steady as he said, “I’m not asking for every detail, Rowan. But I need to know one thing.”
Rowan looked at him then, her expression guarded. “What’s that?”
“Are you in trouble?”
CHAPTER 9
The question hung between them.
Wes watched Rowan closely, the same way he’d been watching her since she’d nearly run him off the road yesterday.
For a brief second, he thought she might actually answer him.Reallyanswer him instead of redirecting his question.
Something vulnerable flickered across her face. But just as quickly, it disappeared.
Her shoulders stiffened as her gaze met his. “What makes you think I’m in trouble?”
Deflection, he realized. Did she really think he wouldn’t see past that?
He crossed his arms. “Number one? You’re not answering my question.”
Her jaw visibly tightened. “That’s because I don’t have an answer for you.”
Wes let the silence sit.
Back in high school, Rowan always filled the silence the second it appeared. Talking, joking, distracting—anything to keep people from looking too closely. Funny how some habits never changed.
Finally, she cleared her throat. “I came here to get away from things. That’s all. Sometimes you just need a change of scenery.”
Wes studied her another second.
He didn’t believe her.
Despite that, he let the statement settle without challenging it. “All right.”
He didn’t press further. Not here. Not like this.
He wanted her to open up because she desired to share parts of her life with him. He didn’t want to demand it. Still, not knowing killed him.
They started walking again, slower this time.
Their paths had crossed again for a reason. Wes felt certain of that.
Maybe it was just for closure. Maybe it was because his heart had been stuck on her for years. And maybe it was finally time to let her go . . . and their time together now would prove it.
Wes slowed as they reached the edge of the burn area, Remington ranging a few feet ahead.
The fire crew had done their job last night. The flames were out, and the immediate danger gone.
