“You didn’t.”

“Because I didn’t have to. So it’s not just about the money. Whoever gave me that scholarship allowed me to succeed, despite my past.”

She pulled her hand free and turned toward him. “When I was little, I used to read all those stories about white knights coming to the rescue. I knew early on that no one was going to rescue me. That I had to rescue myself. I don’t know if that’s a good lesson or a bad one, but I haven’t been able to let it go.”

“It’s what makes you strong.”

“Maybe. And being strong is important. I get that. But kids also need hope. Understanding that is one of the reasons I’m so interested in your project. Kids need to know that it’s okay to want a decent future and believe it’s possible. They need to see what else is out there. Moving here allowed me to believe, for the first time ever, that I just might be able to go to college. To have a better life. Teachers were there for me. Being smart and doing well in school was actually rewarded.”

She paused, then gave him a slightly embarrassed smile. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to go off like that.”

“Don’t apologize. I don’t share your experience, but I appreciate that you went through it. I grew up here. I always had a place, not to mention expectations.”

“Ah, yes. The Mitchell family. Be an artist or take care of those who are creative.”

“We have two functions in life. There’s no middle ground.”

She studied him. “Did you find middle ground by leaving?”

“Yeah, thanks to you.”

“No, you found it on your own. I was simply the kick in the pants you needed to break free. And as my motives were completely selfish, not to mention ridiculously immature, I won’t take credit at all.”

“You weren’t immature,” he told her. “You were scared. How could you have trusted me? There’d never been anyone you could trust. Love was just a word.”

“If that’s true, why did it hurt so much to lose you?”

Her tone was light when she asked the question, but he sensed they were treading into dangerous territory. He and Maya had already had their chance. Their time.

Despite the tension in the room, he forced himself to lean back and speak casually. He chuckled. “You had to miss me, Maya. Come on. I’m a catch.”

As he’d hoped, she relaxed, and then laughed. “You’re not all that.”

“Then you’re looking at me wrong.”

They both returned their attention to the computer screens. She pointed out a shadow in a few of the frames and he went to check for other versions of that day’s shooting. The moment was lost.

He told himself it was for the best. That whatever they might have had with each other, it had been over years ago. This was different. Two adults with a common goal. After his father’s birthday party and the summer was over, he would leave. Without Maya.

* * *

AT THE END of her workday, Maya checked her calendar, then got in her car and headed out of town. Zane and Phoebe had been due back from their honeymoon the previous evening. Technically it might be too soon for visitors, but she had a strong need to see her brother.

Strange how quickly she’d gotten used to living close to Zane. For years she’d dissed him, behind his back and to his face. They’d argued about Chase, had assumed the other couldn’t possibly understand and generally acted more like enemies than family.

But they hadn’t been able to let go. Whatever tenuous bond connected them, it couldn’t be broken. Not completely. And when Zane had needed her over the summer to help with Chase, she’d been there.

Those couple of weeks on the cattle drive had changed everything. She knew some of it was him falling in love. There were those who would say he’d been healed by the love of a good woman. Maya knew the metamorphosis had come from the opposite place. It wasn’t being loved that had softened the hard edges around Zane’s heart—it was loving Phoebe.

He was a changed man. Whereas before she would never have thought to run to him for comfort, today she drove directly to the ranch and bypassed the house in favor of his office.

He was exactly where she would expect to find him at the end of a workday. At his computer, scowling. She smiled as she entered the room.

“Welcome home.”

He looked up at her, then rose and walked toward her. “Maya,” he said, before pulling her into a bear hug.

She went willingly, gratefully. Zane was a rock. Sometimes he was an annoying rock, but he was steadfast and dependable. Something she hadn’t appreciated enough when she was sixteen and sure his only goal in life was to make sure she and Chase were unhappy.

“Hey, you,” she said as she stepped back. “How was your honeymoon? And as I ask, remember you’re my brother. Don’t gross me out with too many details.”

“It was great.” He motioned for her to take a seat. “I’m sure Phoebe will give you the particulars.”

“Too many of them,” she grumbled, but without much energy. “I keep having to remind her that hearing her gush about you isn’t the same as when she talked about other guys. There’s an ick factor.”

“If she wants to talk, let her talk.”

“Oh, sure. Take her side.”

“I can’t help it.”

Zane settled back in his chair. He was relaxed in a way she’d never seen before. Love, she thought, trying not to be bitter that the woman he’d fallen for had loved him back. No such luck for Maya. While she was pretty sure Del wouldn’t say no to having her in his bed, he didn’t seem to have any sense of urgency in the “I want more” department. Not that she’d shared her feelings, either, but that wasn’t the point.