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“Have you decided what you’re gonna do with this place?” Christy Davidson, Savannah’s childhood best friend, sat stirring her coffee while Savannah leaned against the kitchen counter in her newly acquired ranch home.

 

Savannah had moved into the farmhouse at Apple Blossom Ranch a week ago and was no closer to having an answer to her dilemma than she was the day of her divorce. “I have no clue. Not a single idea how to keep things runnin’ around here or how to take care of the animals. Oh, and don’t forget the ‘family-friendly’ bed-and-breakfast.”

 

Savannah snorted and rolled her eyes. “As if those people know the first thing about family.”

 

Christy shook her naturally blonde curls in sympathy. “What I still can’t get over is how in the world Elliot got away with dumpin’ this on you and not payin’ a dime in alimony.”

 

Pain pierced Savannah’s heart at the mention of her ex-husband’s name. Even after all he’d put her through, she couldn’t shake the memory of the love they’d once shared…before the darkness. “He’s a Preston. They practically run the whole state of Georgia.”

 

“But still. Makes me question my trust in the legal system.”

 

Savannah’s eyes clouded over, and her legs became weak. With a warm mug of coffee between her hands, she pushed away from the counter and plopped down at the breakfast table next to Christy.

 

“Right now, I’m more mad at him for firin’ all the staff than I am at the legal system. Thank goodness one of the old ranch hands has been comin’ around once a day to check on the animals, despite the fact he’s not gettin’ paid, or I wouldn’t’ve even known how to feed ’em. But he’s got a new job out of state that starts next month. Once he’s gone, I’m gonna really be in a bind.

 

“At least with a good team of helpers, I could’ve figured out how to keep this ranch profitable. Elliot completely screwed me over. Now, I have no job, no money, and no way of makin’ money here.” She paused, staring into her coffee cup. “Not to mention the memories.”

 

Christy’s brow wrinkled in concern as she sipped from her mug. She was the only one of Savannah’s friends who knew the real reason behind her and Elliot’s divorce. “Is it really bad?”

 

Savannah couldn’t meet her friend’s gaze. She struggled to talk about the abuse. Any time the subject came up, terror gripped her heart. She had no logical reason to fear, so she usually concealed the emotion with sarcasm or bitterness. But not with Christy. Her lifelong comrade would see right through the act.

 

“Sometimes. I still have nightmares almost every night, and I can’t sleep with all the lights off. It’s ridiculous, I know. He’s never threatened me. His attacks always happened outa nowhere and when he was wasted. He hasn’t even tried to get in touch with me since the divorce hearing.” She drew in a shaky breath to calm the anxiety that overcame her each time she thought of those months of brutality. “But…the fear just won’t go away. I’m terrified.”

 

Silence enveloped them. Christy set down her mug and scooted her chair closer to Savannah, pulling her into a hug. The huge clock on the kitchen wall ticked while the two friends embraced.

 

When Christy leaned back, her blue eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I’m so sorry this happened to you. I’ll never really understand what you’re goin’ through, but I can imagine.” Her hand grasped Savannah’s. “I’m here for you. Whenever. For whatever. Anything you need.”

“I know. Thanks.” Savannah blinked back her own tears and pushed at her bangs with her free hand. With a huff, she stood abruptly and strode to the kitchen sink. Dumping her remaining coffee down the drain, she shook her head in frustration. “How’d my life get so messed up? I used to be so carefree, so fun. The world was wide open. Frat parties, sorority socials…and then country club dinners and tennis tournaments.” Savannah’s eyes dropped to the floor, along with her heart. “And now… I guess I wasn’t enough.”

 

Christy pursed her lips and stood. “Stop. Don’t go there.” She took a step toward the distraught woman. “Hey, look at me. Seriously. You’re so much better than him. The Savannah I know is strong,

independent, funny, charming, bubbly… Don’t let what he did to you change who you are inside.”

 

I’m afraid it’s too late for that. “You’re right. Forget him.” Savannah hoped her forced bravado would fool Christy this time. At least for now. She couldn’t bear to think about Elliot for another minute. She rushed to change the subject before her friend could respond.

“Anyway, I’ve got bigger problems. Like how I’m supposed to find workers to help me out here. Not that it matters. I wouldn’t have the money to pay ’em.”

 

Savannah rested her arms on the island countertop and allowed her gaze to travel over the beautiful field that was visible through the room’s huge windows. Though it was the beginning of winter, leaves still fell from trees at the slightest whisper of wind, cascading onto the perfectly landscaped backyard and breaking up the sea of green with occasional pops of autumn oranges and browns.

 

Pastures surrounded the farmhouse, framed by charming white fences and a breathtaking distant view of the Appalachian Mountains.

Although she’d yet to wander into the woods situated beyond the open fields, she knew from her paperwork on the land that a substantial creek flowed through them and into the edge of the pastures. For the life of her, she couldn’t understand why Elliot would want to give up this place. The land—her land—was breathtaking.

My land. What a notion. Never in a million years would she have dreamed she’d own 150 acres. It was quite a change of scenery from the city lifestyle to which she was accustomed.

 

Before living with roommates in her small college town and then sharing an apartment with Elliot after their wedding, she had enjoyed the perks of the suburban lifestyle with her parents—close enough to drive to the city in only a few minutes, but with a tiny bit more yard and an abundance of minivans. Throughout her entire existence, she’d always resided not more than a hundred feet from neighbors.

Never before had she been so secluded from civilization.

 

She’d still be in her cozy midtown apartment had Elliot not insisted on keeping it for himself. Not one to get his hands dirty or do any sort of manual labor, he had agreed in the divorce hearing to grant Savannah the ranch left to him by his parents—who had retired to a Florida beach condo and no longer wanted the hassle of managing their small ranch—in exchange for the place they once shared.

 

Somehow, Savannah’s lawyer had convinced her she was getting the better end of the deal.

 

Christy’s voice broke through Savannah’s thoughts. “You could always sell.”

 

“I wish. The jerk somehow managed to get a stipulation put on our agreement. I’m not allowed to sell the ranch or any part of it for an entire year. If I try, I’ll lose all ownership rights and be out on the street.”