Page 45 of Smokescreen

Daphne clearly still had feelings for Reid.

But did Reid still have feelings for Daphne?

It didn’t appear so. Olive was pretty good at reading body language, and she’d guess he did not.

Either way, this woman seemed unhinged.

Why exactly had Daphne and Reid broken up? Was it because Daphne had no desire to live on this land? If that was the case, maybe Daphne wanted Reid to leave Wyoming and move to California. Maybe shedesperatelywanted that.

That might be a good reason for someone to sabotage this ranch, Olive mused. It was something to consider, at least.

“Can we have this conversation somewhere whereshe’snot listening?” Daphne again pointed at Olive.

Olive hid her frown. It was a good thing she wasn’t easily offended. If she were, she’d feel both insulted and second class right now.

“It’s better if Olive is here for this conversation.” Reid stepped closer. “Sheismy girlfriend.”

Good. Olive wanted to hear this. Not because the conversation could be juicy—not necessarily, at least—but because the conversation could be important to the case.

Daphne pouted and crossed her arms. “What was wrong with me? Why did you pick her?”

Reid stepped closer, the pattering rain adding a nice soundtrack to their dramatic conversation. “Daphne, we talked about this. Our lives are too different for us to be together. You have no desire to live in Wyoming, and I have no desire to live in Hollywood. Nothing’s changed.”

She raised her chin. “Maybe I changed my mind.”

Reid tilted his head. “You want to live in Wyoming?”

Her face dropped slightly. “Well, not really. It’s complicated. I would have to give up everything to come here.”

“I know. I wouldn’t ask you to do that.”

Daphne closed her eyes. “Why is this so complicated? Why can’t it be simple? When you find your one true love, aren’t you supposed to climb mountains and swim oceans to be together?”

“If it’s meant to be, then yes.”

“So I guess we’re not meant to be?” Daphne’s voice wavered as she asked the question. Then she stared at Reid as if hoping he’d refute her statement.

“I’m sorry, Daphne.” Reid dropped his tone. “You know I truly cared about you.”

“It doesn’t seem like it.” Tears glimmered in her eyes.

A surprising—and unwelcome—pang of compassion flared through Olive.

Maybe because she could relate. She knew what it was like to care for someone but not be able to be together. The feeling was heartbreaking.

“I should go.” Daphne stepped back.

“Wait, Daphne,” Reid murmured. “Did you drive here? From LA?”

She shook her head. “I just finished filming a TV pilot in Denver. I came up from there.”

“That’s still a long drive.”

She shrugged and took another step back. “It wasn’t that bad . . . not until it started storming, at least.”

As if in response, thunder rumbled in the distance.

Reid reached for her arm. “It’s getting late, Daphne, and the rain is coming down hard. Where are you going to go?”

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