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The dinner bell rang fro,” he added “You’re part of this family, Sheenan You have always been part of this fa to tell you what to do with the book you’re writing, because that’s your job That’s what you do But I will ask that you show McKenna the book before it’s published Show her brothers, Rory and Quinn, too That way they’re prepared Understand?”

Surprised, Shane hesitated and then nodded “More than fair”

And then Brock surprised hi “Welcome home, Shane I’ve missed you”

Chapter Thirteen

After dinner, Shane went to the ranch where all of his things were packed in boxes and suitcases and sitting on the front porch The Sheenans had said he could stay after all, but Shane had spent enough ti the back of his Range Rover with his things, he drove into Marietta and checked into the Graff

He slept deeply that night, grateful for the quiet, and relieved to be free of the ghosts

In theto be disappointing you,” Shane said bluntly “This isn’t going to go the way you want, but this isn’t the story I can tell I’m sorry”

Mark was silent so long Shane thought he’dup “This isn’t you What’s happened?”

“The story is changing”

“What is the story?”

“A riches to rags love story”

“You don’t write love stories”

“Maybe I should She was young and beautiful, highly educated, and she thought she could have it all, and so she reached for the stars and in reaching, lost it all”

“Why would anyone want to read that story?”

“She was once one of America’s sweethearts”

“When?”

“1887”

“You’ve lost yourhelp Stay put—”

“McKenna Frasier was the heiress to one of the vast Copper Kings’ fortunes and she ended up penniless, forced to take a teaching job in a one room schoolhouse in Paradise Valley”

“What’s your point?”

“There are stories everywhere I can write another story It ht take two, but I’ to say about what happened on the Douglas ranch that August in 1996”

“Dammit, Shane”

“I rong to think I could write that one”

“You’re killing me”

“I’m sorry”

“No, I’ up swiftly

Shane followed the phone call with an e thelas massacre

I have theories about who ht have done it but no definitive proof, and because there is nothing definitive, the suspects are many and the motivations unclear This is not the book my readers want, nor is this the book you want It would disappoint and destroy whatever integrity we possess as author and publisher I will be returning the advance and plan on covering whatever publicity andexpenses have been incurred

Yours,

Sean/Shane S Finley

After hitting send, Shane left his roo the hotel, he stepped out into the cold winter air Gray clouds were collecting over the mountains Snow had been predicted for tomorrow

He drew a deep breath, and then another, trying to decide if he felt regret or relief Maybe it was a combination of the two