Dante's phone vibrated for the third time in an hour. He should answer the damn thing, or at least look to see who it was. But this meeting was important, and with only one item left on the agenda, in ten minutes, he'd be free to speak to the annoying caller.

"What's the basis for your opposition to Boyd Koster?" John Parrish asked.

Dante didn't like how the man stared down his nose when he asked questions. Although, the expression fit his pompous attitude. Why couldn't all rich people be like Bea? Down to earth.

Dante focused on Lawrence Roberts, the only African-American board member. "The other night at the gallery, I noticed he didn't shake hands with you or your wife."

Parrish straightened and spoke before Roberts responded. "As I recall, Boyd had a drink in one hand, and a plate in the other."

"Yes, and as I recall, he set the drink down to greet everyone else.  Plus, he only took hors d'oeuvres from the two Mexican waiters."

"You're saying he's a racist based on appetizers?" He looked at Bea. "This husband of yours seems narrow-minded. Koster's company fits all of our criteria. Lawrence doesn't seem to have a problem with his behavior, so I see no reason not to invest."

"Lawrence, I think this is a good time for you to weigh in," Bea said.

He tapped his pencil on the table, then shouldered back in his chair. "My wife did feel uncomfortable around him. Dante may have a point."

Bea tilted her head the way she always did when she was about to nice someone to death. It was one of the many things Dante liked about her. An attribute he should cultivate, but Parrish rubbed him the wrong way.

She smiled. "This husband of mine—Dante—brought his concern to my attention during the event. I agree with him. I also noticed how Mr. Koster looked at Mrs. Jackson, and it wasn't in a good way. Sometimes, it's the subtleties that speak the loudest. And, according to employment records, less than ten percent of his staff are minorities. I don't want to align myself with someone like that. Shall we take a vote?"

Fifteen minutes later, as Dante slid into the driver's seat, his phone vibrated again. He glanced at his wife. "It's Dad. I have to take this. Hey, Pops. What's up?"

"Silbie called and asked about Owen. Dawn told her about his rescue, and Silbie threw a fit. Hung up on her mother, and now she won't answer her calls. Dawn's a wreck. You've got to fix this."

"How can I fix it? If she doesn't listen to her mother, I doubt she'll be interested in hearing anything I have to say."

"At least you can get through to her because she'll probably take your call. Once she does, explain why we didn't tell her. Make her understand what Owen wanted. She wouldn't give Dawn a chance to do that. All I know is that my wife is bawling her eyes out, and something has to be done."

Dante ran his hand over his face. He should have paid no attention to Owen and told Silbie. She deserved to know he was safe, but Dante already had so much on his plate, he assumed her mother wouldn't abide by Owen's ridiculous request and pass the news along to Silbie immediately.

"Okay, I'll give her a call, or even better, maybe I can convince Owen to speak to her. They're discharging him the day after tomorrow. I plan to be there, and hopefully convince him to come to Parkers Prairie to recuperate at Bea's house."

"Just do whatever it takes to smooth things over with Silbie."

Dante clicked off and stared at his phone.

"That didn't sound good," Bea said.

Dante leaned his head against the steering wheel. "Nope. The shit has officially hit the fan, and I'm not sure I can make it any better."

"Persuade your brother to speak to Silbie, and that should set everything right."

"Yeah. Just one problem with that plan."

"Which is?"

"He's got some harebrained notion she's better off without him."

"As good a negotiator as you are, I believe you'll change his mind."

"That's the problem—his mind."

Silbie recognized Maia's expression. Total shock. Understandable. The ultimatum even surprised Silbie, but she meant it. With all the lies of Hollywood, Parkers Prairie was the place she counted on for the truth. But that had all been shattered. With the secret of Owen missing in action and now of his rescue.

Jolene's warning proved correct. Stardom may not change you, but it'll change those around you.

"You don't mean that," Maia said. "You're upset, as you should be, but to never return to your hometown? What about the twins? And Lina and Charlie? You'll miss seeing them grow up. I know you don't want that."

"You don't get it. My entire family knew about Owen, and not one of them called to tell me he was safe." Silbie's bottom lip trembled, and she couldn't fight the tears. "What does it matter if I'm out of the country. Peace of mind has no boundaries. All this time, I've had a lump lodged right here." She tapped her chest. "A hard knot of fear that something terrible happened to him, and I'd never see him again." She burst into tears.

Once more, Logan came to her side and gathered her in his arms. "Maia's right. I know you want to punish them, but alienating your family will be just as hard on you."

In spite of his annoying flirtation, he'd become a good friend. It'd not taken her or Maia long to figure out his banter wasn't serious. And, as a result, in the short time she'd known him, he'd grown on her. Even if sometimes he was like a gangrene infected limb.

He kissed the top of her head. "Hey, it's our last night here. Why don't we get all dressed up and dine in one of the hoity-toity restaurants here in the hotel. We'll order the most expensive thing on the menu and the priciest bottle of champagne. Just think about it. A derby queen, a school teacher, and a homeless guy living the high life!" He chuckled. "Then later, we can all get naked in the hot tub."

Silbie laughed in spite of herself. Logan had a way of making that happen. She wiped her eyes and sniffed.

"You know, I think that's just what Silbie needs to get her mind off all this Owen mess." Maia glanced at Silbie and winked. "Right, Silbie?"

Silbie's stomach did a cartwheel. Time to put her acting skills to the test. "Yeah, like Logan said, it's our last night here. Why not do something we'll always remember?"

Logan staggered backward. "You mean the food and drink. Not the naked hot tub part—right?"

"All of it," Maia said. "Hell, for the last four weeks you've been wearing spandex that leaves little to the imagination. It isn't like we haven't practically seen your man bits. May as well come full circle."

Logan lost his color, and his Adam's apple bobbed. "Well—uh—okay. I'll get changed and call for a reservation."

Once the door closed behind him, Silbie looked at Maia, and they both laughed. "Think he'll go through with it?" Maia asked.

Silbie snorted. "No way. But it's fun seeing him sweat."

Maia nodded. "Yeah. Now back to this Owen problem. I agree with Logan. It isn't a good idea to shut your family out of your life."

Silbie shook her head so fast she got dizzy. "No. I'm not going home, but you can. I don't want to keep you from spending time with your folks. Besides, Jolene has some big secret script she wants me to read, so staying in California will give me a chance to do that."

"Why is it a secret?"

"All I know is they want me for the part, and until I accept or pass on the role, the studio doesn't want any details released."

"Is it another action film?"

"No. Just the opposite. A drama. She wouldn't give me many details over the phone. Only that Alastair Mills is the director."

"Hasn't he won a bunch of Academy Awards?"

"Yeah. Best picture six times in the last ten years. I can almost say yes without even reading the script."

Silbie's phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen, huffed out a breath, and answered. "Hey, Dante."

Maia waved and left the room.

"I'm sorry I haven't called before now," Dante sighed.

"How's Owen? Can I talk to him?"

"He's on the mend.. Physically, anyway. He doesn't want to talk to anyone."

"Even me?"

Silbie listened to him on the other line, breathing silently for a few seconds, as if he was trying to gather his words. "Look... I'm sorry. Give him some time. He's been through hell. Held captive in a horrible little hut, beaten almost daily... It's a lot for anyone to cope with. He'll come around in a few weeks when he's feeling better, I'm sure. You need to make nice with your mom though, she's only looking out for you."

"It doesn't feel that way."

Dante sighed. "I know... but take it from someone who knows. Life isn't the same without your mom."

"I'm not ready to forgive her just yet."

"I get it. You need time. Same as Owen."

Damn Dante. He'd manipulated the conversation to make his point and she didn't have a good argument. "Can I at least text him? Is he staying with you, or at Bea's house? I'll even write him..."

"He doesn't have a phone. Or a computer. Doesn't even want one. Pretty sure he wouldn't even open a letter if you sent one. I wish I had something to tell you, but I'm doing what I can to help him and that will have to be enough. I'll text you soon."

She wanted to scream-cry-pound the wall. While she'd lived it up in LA, Owen had suffered horrible things, and no one had even bothered to tell her. While she drank thousand dollar champagne, he'd probably starved. Had she known the truth, she could have done something to bring him home.

Maybe that's why he didn't want to see her. He knew she'd become a star and did nothing. But how could she when she'd been kept in the dark? Another reason to blame her mother. Because of her family's betrayal, she'd might have lost him.

She'd only been on the phone for fifteen minutes, but it felt like hours. Silbie tapped on Logan's door, then pushed it open. He and Maia sat on the sofa scrolling through TV channels. When Silbie entered, they both turned to face her.

"What did he say?" Maia asked.

"Owen doesn't want to see me."

"Why?"

"I don't think he loves me anymore."

"Not possible."

"He knows I love him. I wrote him all the time. Told him how much I missed him. Shouldn't he want to see me?"

"Maybe he's just having a hard time readjusting"

"Maybe, but if Dante thinks I'm gonna sit around and wait, he's wrong. One way or another, I'm going to see Owen."

"Did Dante mention me?" Maia asked.

Silbie didn't have the heart to tell her the truth. Apparently, since his marriage, he'd moved on. "Only asked if you were doing okay."

"Well, at least that's something. Not that I'm still hung up on him because I'm not." She glanced at Silbie and Logan. "I'm not. I swear. So y'all can lose the sad eyes."

Logan cleared his throat. "I think we should postpone the hot tub party. You two are so distraught your hearts won't be in it. Better to wait until we're all in a good mood."

Silbie and Maia exchanged looks, then laughed.

Ah, Logan. I didn't even like him at first, but I've learned to love him a little.

Poor Silbie. Sil and Maia should start a Broken Hearts Club. Maybe the Filgard brother chapter.

TEASER: God, he was pathetic, acting like a high school boy with his first crush.

Wonder what thats about?