After her disastrous trail ride, Talia made herself scarce. It didn't help that she had gotten another email from Mel with the latest news. That story actually had a picture of her falling off Pegasus. It had only been a matter of hours before that story hit. She was a giant joke back in California.

Standing in Zeke's room, she watched everyone headed to the picnic Chrissy and Annie had made for them. Zeke turned back looking up at his room a few times then continued on with the group. Watching Mariah and Tristan skipping at a slower pace than earlier in the week, Talia's heart saddened. Her troubles were inconsequential compared to little Tristan's.

That was when an idea hit Talia. She would write a story about him, his week at the ranch and the three superheroes who made his week so special. Before starting she quickly texted Annie asking permission, then sat with her laptop. The heartfelt story poured out of her. By the time the group returned from the picnic, the story was ready to be sent to Catherine. She wasn't going to like it, but Talia didn't care anymore. It's about time there was some uplifting news.

Talia's phone rang playing I'm Too Sexy.

"Hey Jeremiah!"

"Tally, I have to talk to you about something." Jeremiah's somber tone scared her.

"Ok. What is it?"

His sigh echoed through the phone. "I heard some interesting information."

"Yeah."

"There is a mole."

"A mole? What do you mean?"

"There is a mole on the ranch. Someone is feeding the paparazzi stories and pictures. I haven't yet discovered who, but I have some people working on it."

Talia's face flamed. "You mean there is someone around here that is purposely trying to destroy me? Who would do that?"

"One person comes to mind."

"Who?"

"Max."

"You really think he would do that?"

"You really think he wouldn't?"

"I don't know." Talia paced the room. Questions bombarded her mind. Was Max the mole? Was everything he's done recently to befriend her just to get her to let her guard down? How could she tell Zeke? Should she tell Zeke?

"Are you ok?"

"I guess. I just don't know, Jeremiah. He actually apologized to me and has been pretty great lately."

"Doesn't that seem weird though? Why did he treat you so poorly for so long then all of a sudden have a change of heart?" Talia had been asking herself the same thing.

Before she could answer Zeke stepped into the room. He saw her pacing and gave her a questioning look.

"Jeremiah, I'm going to have to call you back."

"Ok, sweetie. I will call when I know more. Love you."

"Love you too." Talia disconnected the call then threw the phone on the bed.

"What's wrong?" Zeke sat on the bed watching her pace.

"I don't know if I should tell you."

"You can tell me anything. I promise I won't overreact."

Talia plopped on the bed next to him causing it to bounce. "Apparently, someone on the ranch has been feeding the paparazzi stories and pictures about us."

"What? Who would do that?" Talia stared at him. "You have an idea, don't you?"

"I think it might be Max. Look I know he's your best friend, but his sudden change of heart really makes him seem suspect." Zeke opened his mouth to protest but Talia held up her hand. "I don't have any concrete evidence and I won't be accusing him of anything, but it wouldn't surprise me if it were true."

Zeke sat quietly for a moment. "I will ask him."

Talia's surprise showed on her face. A laugh escaped Zeke. He wrapped an arm around her pulling her close.

"It will be ok." He promised.

"How can you be so sure?"

Zeke kissed her forehead then stood from the bed. "I will make sure it's ok. That's how I know."

Talia watched Zeke leave. He was so confident that he would make sure everything was going to be ok. A feeling of dread came over her. Talia felt like she was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

***

The last night of Tristan's stay was a solemn occasion. Addie made his favorite meal of hot dogs with macaroni and cheese. The normally jovial bunch ate in silence. Mariah and Tristan barely touched their food. Tension filled the air.

Talia found herself staring at Max. Those questions floated through her mind. Was he really the one behind all of the stories about her? What could he possibly get out of it?

"Did you have a good week, Tristan?" Terence attempted to break the silence.

Tristan nodded and pushed his food around his plate.

"Did anyone tell you the news?" Max asked.

"No." Tristan said quietly.

Max looked at Terence. "Well, Max and I have to head back to California tomorrow. So, we got you and your mom's tickets upgraded to 1st class to sit with us."

Tristan's eyes sparked with excitement but dimmed just as quickly.

"Why are you guys headed back so soon?" Talia asked.

"Aww are you gonna miss us, Talia?" Max teased.

A grimace she tried to pull off as a smile crossed her face. Confusion crossed Max's features.

"Sure. So, why are you leaving?"

"Didn't Zeke tell you?" Talia shook her head. Terence and Max looked to Zeke. "The movie starts pre-production in three weeks. The three of us will be in New Zealand in three weeks."

Talia's stomach dropped. She stared at Zeke who wouldn't meet her stare.

"Mama, can we watch our movie now?" Mariah asked Chrissy.

"Sure, sweetie." Mariah and Tristan walked hand in hand to their pillow fort.

All eyes continued to burn holes into Talia. "I'm going to call it a night. I will see you all in the morning."

Talia escaped to Zeke's room. Sitting on her side of the bed she looked out on the moonlit ranch. The white light gave it an ethereal feel.

"I was going to tell you."

Talia nodded and continued to look outside. Zeke shut the door then sat on the end of the bed.

"I was trying to figure things out."

Talia nodded again.

Zeke sighed. "Will you talk to me?"

"What do you want me to say? You dragged me out here for the summer only to abandon me half way through. Why are you always hiding things from me?"

"I didn't mean to hide this from you. I was actually going to ask you to come with me to New Zealand."

"You know I couldn't do that, Zeke. I've already been away from my job for too long. I don't even know if I am going to have a job when I get back. With all the drama that has come with us being together Catherine hasn't exactly been supportive."

"I know. That's why I didn't ask. If I'm being honest, I didn't want to face leaving you. My feelings for you have grown and the whole idea of leaving you physically hurts. I tried to ignore it. Terence and Max are big mouths."

Talia walked over to Zeke. Standing in front of him she cupped his face. She leaned in gently pressing her lips to his. The brief kiss lasted only a moment then she gazed into his eyes.

"All three of you are idiots. Good thing you all have hot bodies and pretty faces."

Shock crossed hisface but when he saw her smirk he grabbed her throwing her on the bed. Zeketickled her until she cried out mercy. The two of them lay on their side looking out the window. As their breathing evened out, they fellasleep curled together watching the moon rise in the sky.