Mark stepped aside and Cal looked at Piper. “I guess you don’t need rescuing,” he said.

  “You’re here to rescue me?”

  “If things weren’t going well, I’d put you on my white steed and carry you to safety.”

  She laughed. “You don’t have a white horse, or even a white truck.”

  “I was being metaphorical.”

  They began to stroll into the room.

  “You know, I’ve driven by this place several times,” he said. “I thought this was part of the hotel.”

  “Originally, it was the hotel.”

  “Really?”

  Cal looked up at the ceiling.

  “It was a boardinghouse. Meghan’s aunt built it. Well, several great-aunt versions back. I can’t remember how many. It’s been remodeled several times. One of Meghan’s past relatives apparently had a large family, so he converted it into a single-family home back in the 1940s and opened the hotel separately. It’s been that way ever since.”

  They had reached the bar and Cal handed her a fresh glass of wine. Rosa came over and introduced her husband. Just as Cal was shaking hands, Piper heard her name called. The entire room looked at the speaker, including her and Cal.

  Piper recognized the newest guest, but her name eluded her for a moment. Shelby... Shelby Chase, she remembered. They’d been dressage competitors back in junior high school.

  By the expression on Meghan’s face, Piper knew her friend was surprised to see Shelby. Piper had won their final competition and Shelby had never forgiven her.

  Quickly, Piper tried to think of a way to greet the woman, for Shelby Chase rarely went anywhere unless she was the center of attention. Tonight, Piper was sure it would be her turn to suffer Shelby’s wrath. Cal put his hand on Piper’s elbow. She glanced at him, giving him a reassuring smile, and left to confront Shelby.

  Setting her glass on the bar, she walked across the room feeling as if she were heading into the lion’s den. But she was Hollywood trained. She’d been taught by the best how to assess a situation and defuse it. So she went on the offense.

  “Shelby,” she said, smiling her best smile. “Great to see you again.” Piper kissed the air about them, a gesture that was right in between being a friend or an enemy. And Piper knew exactly which category she and Shelby fit in. Standing back, she admired her former competitor. Her dress was an attention-getting red and it didn’t fail to define all her curves. “That dress was made for you.”

  “I know,” Shelby drawled. “No one else could carry this off as well as I can.” She twirled around, giving the full effect of the fancy garment.

  As humble as ever, Piper thought sarcastically.

  “Still riding?” Piper asked, leading her to a tray with glasses of sparkling water. The room seemed to have lost interest in them, although Piper was willing to bet large that Cal and Meghan were following their movements with interest.

  “I have a school. My students compete. We have cases of blue ribbons and trophies.”

  “That’s wonderful. I’m glad to hear it. You were always an excellent horsewoman.” That part was true.

  Shelby smiled or smirked, Piper couldn’t tell which one, as the other woman took pride in herself. Piper couldn’t believe Shelby was the same selfish person she’d been in high school. Her saving grace was horses. She was an excellent horsewoman. Piper had seen that trophy case Shelby had and it was full of ribbons and awards. So, Piper had to concede that Shelby was a fine teacher or at least effective at hiring teachers.

  “I see you’ve posted a flyer to get clients for your start-up business. I spotted it in the grocery store, but I hear you have them in the library, bookstore, Gallaghers, all over town.”

  “I have,” Piper acknowledged. She recognized the insult in that. She chose to ignore it, even though her teeth were on edge. “I have a few students who are doing well.”

  Shelby lifted a shoulder as if dismissing the accomplishment.

  “I even have one student who’s learning trick riding.”

  Her brows went up.

  “Are you going to be here long enough to make any headway in that type of teaching?”

  Her question already had her answering it in the negative.

  “He’s doing quite well. I might add that to my list of services. I’m sure graduates of the program can go further at competitions than the standard.”

  “I don’t know of any competitions for trick riding,” Shelby said.

  “I suppose not. Your students excel in dressage and jumping.” Piper let her annoyance creep into her voice.

  Shelby’s face turned as red as her gown.

  “You know, Piper,” Shelby whispered. “You being from Hollywood and all, I thought you’d dress better.” She used a couple of fingers to pick invisible lint from Piper’s shoulder.

  “That’s all you’ve got, Shelby? To change the subject because someone gets the upper hand on you?”

  “Well, it’s true.” Shelby’s tone was smug.

  Piper knew better than to take the bait. She’d been on a world stage with cameras and microphones thrust in her face as she tried to get through a crowd.

  “There are places to wear Dior dresses and places to tone it down a bit,” Piper said. She looked Shelby up and down for several seconds. “Your dress says you’re looking for something. Mine says I’ve confidently found it.”

  Unintentionally, she glanced over her shoulder at Cal. She hadn’t decided to do that. It just came naturally.

  “I see,” Shelby said. “Is he a stuntman, too?”

  “He’s an engineer. He bought the Christensen ranch. I thought you’d heard.”

  Shelby gave a nod. “I guess you should give up the trick riding stuff, though, and move on to some other profession. Maybe next time you won’t get anyone hurt.”

  And there it was, Piper thought. The subject that Shelby had come here to draw out. And likely make a scene on purpose.

  “Is there a problem here?” Meghan had come over when Shelby’s voice became a stage whisper.

  “You seem to have a question about me,” Cal said.

  He joined the small group, standing at Piper’s side. The three of them blocked anyone behind them from seeing.

  Shelby retreated. “We were just having a pleasant conversation.”

  “I don’t think so,” Meghan said. “I didn’t invite you, Shelby. As this is my home, I suggest you pull your claws in and be a good guest. I’d hate to have to ask you to leave in front of all these people.”

  Shelby hesitated. She looked from face to face. Piper wondered if she was deciding if Meghan was serious or not. Finally, she laughed. “You all are pushing this way out of proportion. Piper and I were just having a good ol’ chat. The way we’ve done for years. Right, Piper?”

  “Right,” Piper said. It was the way they had spoken for years. The two women stared at each other. Shelby suddenly turned and with a flourish was gone. Then Piper turned. “Meghan, I apologize for this.”

  “It wasn’t your fault,” Meghan said. “Please, stay and enjoy. I know the Mervais twins haven’t had a chance to talk to you yet and they’d really like to.”

  She nodded and Cal led her back to the party, his arm around her. The room had become quiet, as people instinctively knew something was going on. Unwilling to acknowledge their stares, she and Cal immediately began to speak to someone close by.

  Piper trembled at the thought of what folks were saying about her. She wanted to believe things would be different, but the underlying vibe of the room was as loud as if people were shouting. She tightened her grip on Cal’s waist. When she made eye contact with someone, they quickly dropped their gaze.

  “I knew this would happen,” she whispered so only Cal could hear her.

  “Don’t judge so quickly,” he said.

  Suddenly he was heading for a group of people in one corner of the room. Piper knew them. Cal tugged her along, and unless she wanted to create another scene, she had to keep walking.

  One of the guys looked up, seeing their approach. It was Pete Gallagher. Piper had gone to school with him since the first grade. “Piper, Cal,” Pete said, shaking Cal’s hand. “It’s great to see you again.” He directed this comment to Piper.

  She nodded and tried to smile.

  “Don’t believe anything Shelby says. You know she’s been jealous of you since we were kids,” Pete advised.

  His words made her relax a little.

  “And thanks for throwing business my way.” Pete glanced at Cal.

  “I’m still breaking in the boots,” Cal said. “I imagine I might need more pants if the ground has anything to do with it.”

  Pete laughed.

  A couple came up and joined them. “Let me introduce you to Joan and Maxwell Campbell,” Pete said. “They are both teachers.”

  “Call me Max.”

  Pete introduced Cal and told a little about Piper’s work in Hollywood.

  “But we’re glad to have her back in the Valley,” he finished.

  “I’ve watched a number of your movies,” Joan said.

  “You have?” Piper didn’t mean to sound so surprised, but no one really knew which movies she was in. Her face was never on the screen, and if it was, she’d been made up to look like the actor or actress she was standing in for.

  “You can’t live in the Valley and not know about you,” Max said.

  Piper stiffened. She could take that one of two ways—as the revered hometown girl does good or as the notorious stunt coordinator who nearly got a man killed. In any case, she was done with trying to hide from it.

  “I realize there is an elephant in the room,” Piper said. “An elephant that’s getting larger by the minute.”

  She looked at Cal. His eyes told her she didn’t have to do this.

  “I do,” she said, answering his silent comment. Facing Pete, Max, Joan and the others in her small circle, she said, “I was in charge of the stunt when there was an accident.”

  The room grew quiet. Every eye was on her. But she was going forward from now on.

  “I’m sure you’re all curious about what happened. Did I really do something wrong like all the news reports said?”

  People moved closer to her, pressing in to hear better. Piper moved back, allowing the circle to widen.

  “The truth is, I don’t know. That sounds like an excuse.” She went on to explain that she was still looking into the circumstances.

  “Do you think you’ll find anything?” Pete asked.

  “I don’t know.”

  “But I’ll be helping her,” Cal said.

  “Is there anything we can do to help?” Adam Osborne asked.

  Piper was surprised. They were accepting her without any accusing questions.

  “Not yet,” Piper said.

  “But after a little more investigation,” Cal joined in. “We might need a lot of help.”

  “You can count on me,” Meghan said.

  Piper smiled, knowing her friend would always be on her side. Then came a round of supportive comments.

  Piper relaxed totally. Conversation eased from subject to subject, mainly local politics, the weather and the next stock auction. People moved in and out of groups while Cal kept close to her side. She would have felt that he was trying to make a statement that they were a couple, but she wanted his attention and his strength.

  She’d never felt the need for a protector, but after the relentless press coverage and defection of some of her friends after the accident, her faith in herself had been shaken. Tonight, she’d gotten a little of it back.

  The rest of the night went well. She almost forgot the disagreeable scene between herself and Shelby.

  By midnight, people had begun to drift away. Piper should be ready to leave, but she was riding on some kind of high she hadn’t felt for over a year.

  “Let me help you clean up,” she told Meghan when the last of the guests left with happy smiles and thank-yous. Only she and Cal remained. She picked up two candy dishes and headed for the kitchen.

  “Me, too,” Cal added.

  “You’ve done enough. I can get this. There isn’t much anyway. So, you go home. You must be tired.”

  She was, but it was a happy kind of tired. Even though Piper had fun and enjoyed herself, the relief of people being in her corner was unexpected and seemed to remove an invisible weight from her shoulders. The loss of it, however, had a weight of its own.

  “Go on,” Meghan said. “You’ve got a long day tomorrow. You need some sleep.”

  “Are you sure?” Piper asked. She did have a long day coming, but Meghan didn’t know that.

  “I’m sure. Cal, make sure she gets home safe.”

  “I will,” he said.

  True to his word, Cal followed her all the way to her porch stairs. Piper wanted to rush up the steps and go inside, but just like on that first day in the gym, tonight Cal had been her rock. She’d brightened when he came through the door at Meghan’s party. It had been good to see a familiar face, even if they’d only met recently. Plus, he’d squired her around Meghan’s room, letting her know with the touch of his hand on her back that he was there for her. Ignoring him now would be more than rude.

  She headed for his truck. He was still behind the wheel, but he got out as she started toward him.

  “Thanks,” she said, realizing this was the first time tonight they had been alone. The air had cooled and a gentle breeze blew from the west, but Piper felt warm.

  “For what?” Cal asked.

  “For coming to rescue me.”

  “Even though you didn’t need it,” he reminded her.

  “For standing by me when Shelby began her assault.”

  “I was only there for moral support. You had the situation well in hand.”

  “For not judging me.” Piper knew that was the most important thing he’d done. Not at the party, but also on the ranch. He’d given her the benefit of explaining herself instead of just agreeing with all the media and industry types that placed the blame on her.

  “Good night,” she said.

  She stepped back but paused. Cal took her hand and pulled her forward. He leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. Why Piper turned her head, she didn’t know, but his mouth landed on hers. He quickly lifted his head in surprise.

  “Good night,” she said and pushed herself away.

  “See you tomorrow,” he added.

  “You mean today.” She laughed to cover her nervousness. Why had she turned into his kiss? She wanted to put her hands on her cheeks. She knew they were flaming if the heat in her ears was any indication of what her face looked like.

  For a moment, she was unable to decide what to do. All her confidence fled. The sound of Cal opening the truck’s door snapped her out of her thoughts and she backed up, giving them both more room.

  “Thanks again,” she said.

  “Thank you,” he responded.

  Piper’s eyes met Cal’s. It was his tone that caught her. He was thanking her for the kiss, for the way she reacted to him. That hadn’t been acting. A lump rose in her throat. Piper took another step back. She knew if she didn’t, she’d rush back into those strong arms.

  And neither of them were ready for that. At least she didn’t think so, but that kiss, however brief, said something different. She wasn’t sure what Cal thought and her mind was still in a jumble.

  But something in her had changed.

  * * *

  IT COULDN’T BE time to get up yet, Piper thought as the ringing of her phone penetrated her brain. She’d been up half the night after Cal left. Their kiss was on the top of her mind and refused to relinquish it to sleep.

  Keeping her eyes closed, she groaned at the sound. Groping for the phone, she pulled it up to her face. Peering through one eye, she saw Meghan’s face on the display.

  “Hullo,” she said, shifting away from the sunlight glaring through the curtains.

  “Did I wake you?” Meghan asked.

  “You know you did,” she said. “Couldn’t you have waited until noon or later?”

  “This is Montana, not California. Our clocks start when the chickens wake up.”

  “You haven’t seen a chicken in years that wasn’t already cut and cooked. So, what do you want to know?”

  Piper pushed the covers aside and sat up, resting against the cushioned headboard of her bed. She still refused to open her eyes.

  “Are you okay?”

  “You mean after Shelby. Yes, I’m okay. Shelby has tried to sabotage me for years. I can handle her.”

  “Good. I was glad she took my hint when I asked her to leave. And your speech certainly took all the wind out of her sails, or venom out of her mouth,” Meghan said. “Last I saw, she was on the sidewalk chatting to Mark.”

  “Dr. Mark?” Piper said. “He’s always been a friend of mine.”

  “You mean he wants to be more than a friend.”

  “He doesn’t.” Her eyes finally opened wide.

  “Oh, give me a break. You had to know that. He never made a secret of it,” Meghan said.

  “He’s over that, Meghan. Mark is married—with children.”

  “You never forget your first love.”

  “Are we going to talk about Carter Richardson?”

  “No, we are not.” Meghan’s voice was emphatic. Carter had been her first love. He transferred to Waymon Valley in the fourth grade and Meghan had followed him around nonstop.

  “Speaking of first loves and such, how’s Mr. Masters? He didn’t seem to be running from you last night.”

  “He did as you asked, too, and saw me all the way to my door.”

  “Anything happen at the door?”