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made the right choice. You’re much too handsome to be covered up.”
    He raised his brow. “Now that comment alone was worth the wait.”
    She pursed her lips as she tilted her head. “You have a lot of fans.”
    “I do, I’m lucky. The live performances are the best part. Nice to feel someone’s glad to see you, you know. I go out there, and I’m greeted by genuine, happy faces. Though there has never been one as beautiful as you.”
    Larina shook her head slightly.
    Case motioned in the direction of the structure behind the house. “That reminds me. I also had a break-in at my studio over there. Funny thing, only my recent work was taken. It represented a lot of hours though.”
    “Case, that’s terrible. I’m so sorry.”
    He exhaled. “Thanks. I guess, unless they play on the radio, I’ll never know who took them. It was odd. I won’t say I wasn’t pissed. That’s when I knew it was more an attack on me. I’ve tried to remember the songs, but it’s like that perfect dream you have one night, and when you wake up, you knew it was good, but you can’t for the life of you remember it.”
    He stood and walked a short way to a sixteen-foot tree. “I planted this when you left. It’s grown pretty well; it was practically just a seed.”
    Case slid his fingers over the gray bark. He knew the bark, though still smooth, would one day, as it matured, feel rough. She left her seat and walked over.
    She asked, “What kind is it?”
    “A sand pine.”
    “Ah…I see. You pine for me?”
    Case put his hands in his jean pockets as he rocked back and forth on his heels.
    “That I do. That I do.” He reached and touched a branch lightly as he spoke.
    “And did you notice the needles are in pairs. I even like the name sand pine. It represents our two worlds. But together… well you get the point.”
    Larina bit her lip before she spoke. “I’m sorry I left like I did.”
    “I won’t lie and say I wasn’t surprised. I thought we’d fallen in love.”
    “I didn’t want to be in love, Case. Not then, not now.”
    “Okay. Fair enough.”
    He held his hand out toward their seats. As they returned to the fire, Case said, “How could I blame you?” He ran his hand over the back of his neck. “Me, a rodeo man, and then there you were, a gentle and caring woman. Not to mention you were being hounded by the press. And let’s not forget Annette.”
    Larina gazed at the ground as he continued. He shook his head. “I knew early on she was trouble. It was hard enough to have to admit to you I had a one-night stand, let alone a child on the way.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “How I hoped he wasn’t mine.”
    He returned his gaze to her. “Don’t get me wrong. I love Timmy. It’s just, man… she’s crazy.” Case stared into the fire.
    Larina moved to sit next to him as she asked, “What are you going to do?”
    Case shook his head. “You mean besides worry about him every day? I’ve tried to get custody, but I have no proof why I’m better suited than she is. While I don’t think she would harm him, he shouldn’t be near her mindset, you know?”
    He brought his attention back to Larina, who, he found, was now gazing intently into his eyes. He knew she must have noticed his eyes had welled up with tears. He felt, for a split second, she was going to reach out to him, comfort him. He wasn’t looking for sympathy, but he would take whatever affection she was willing to give of herself. Instead, she sat quietly beside him. He began to recall the anguish that he’d felt these past few years. For a moment, he wondered what she had been so afraid of. Why had she not accepted his proposal back then? He shook his head and continued.
    “I haven’t given Timmy the life he deserves, that I want for him. But I just couldn’t be with her.”
    “I’ve seen articles. Annette implies you are together.”
    He grunted. “That’s because she’s crazy. She’s manipulative. She comes off as this