Owen promised himself he wouldn't fill the two prescriptions written by Dr. Sequig. But, if he spent many more days in Parkers Prairie, he'd break that pledge. He didn't understand why being around people; especially his family made him so jittery. During his captivity, the hope of seeing them again had kept him from losing his mind. So, why did he just want to be left alone?

Dr. Sequig claimed Zoloft would manage his anxiety. Prazosin would control insomnia and nightmares. But the damn side effects were more than Owen wanted to risk. Besides, the last thing he needed was to depend on drugs. He had enough problems without adding addiction.

He folded his jeans and laid them in the suitcase. Next, he chunked in socks and underwear. One more day and he'd return to Dallas. Twenty-four hours. He could do that. Before he finished his self-help pep talk, Dante called from the other side of the door.

"You still up?"

"Yeah, come in."

His brother strolled in and flopped into the corner chair. "Packing already?"

"You never said what time we're leaving, so I figured I'd get a head start."

Dante leaned forward and rested his arms on his thighs, letting his hands dangle between his legs. "I saw Maia earlier."

Owen locked eyes with him. "What do you mean, you saw her?"

"Unclench your jaw. It wasn't like that."

"So, what was it like? You just run into her somewhere?"

Dante shouldered back in the chair. Looked away for a moment, then back at Owen. "Followed her into the parking lot at Grillenium Falcon. Only because I owed her an apology, and it's the first chance I've had to speak to her."

"About your quickie marriage?"

"Yeah. I didn't handle that well."

Owen narrowed his eyes. He knew his brother probably better than anyone, and he wasn't the type to apologize for moving from one woman to the next. Damn, things really had changed. Seems Dante grew a conscience. "So everything's okay now?"

"If you call hating my guts and never wanting to speak to me again okay, then yeah, it's all good. But hey, water under the bridge. She's got a new life in California. Probably end up married to some hot shot director or producer and realize I did her a favor."

"Did she happen to mention Silbie?"

Dante shook his head. "No, and I wouldn't tell you if she had. Where she's concerned, I have no sympathy for you, because you're the one keeping her out of your life. So get over it already. Forget her. Move on. Hell, get laid."

Owen fisted his hands. He'd like to tear Dante apart, but because he wasn't fully recovered, he'd have to save that for later. "You don't understand because you've never been in love. You have no idea how I feel about her or anything else. You're not qualified to give me advice. When we get back to Dallas, I'll find my own place."

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said those things. You're right. I don't have a clue about your feelings, other than I know you're still in love with her. And, for the life of me, I can't figure out why you won't believe she isn't interested in that Logan dude. But even if she is, you should fight for her."

"You're right. I'm exactly what she needs. I can't work. Sleep. Be around people. Half the time I feel like my skin is on fire, and the other half like something is eating me alive from the inside out. Yeah, I'm perfect for her."

Dante rushed forward and embraced him. "You are because she loves you."

Owen sobbed into his chest. "No, she's in love with a man who doesn't exist anymore."

"It's okay. You'll be okay. I promise. I don't want you to get your own place. Please. Stay at the hotel. Just for a little while longer. Okay?"

It took Dante almost an hour to calm Owen enough to leave him alone. He was getting worse, and Dante had no idea what to do about it. The number twenty-two pounded in his head—the number of vets who committed suicide every day. He'd be damned before he let his brother become a statistic.

He made his way into the library, closed and locked the door behind him. Thank God Bea's house was big enough he could have private phone conversations without being overheard. He glanced at his watch. Probably too late to call Dr. Sequig, but to hell with that. He dialed, and the doc answered on the third ring. Chatter and holiday music played in the background.

"Dr. Sequig, I apologize for calling so late, especially since it sounds like you're having a party. It's Owen. I don't know what to do."

By the time he ended the call, the good doctor had put a new plan in place. The main thing was to get Owen to accept the medication. Easier said than done, but Dante was determined, even if he had to hide it in his food. Next on the list was to increase the counseling sessions. It sounded like a good strategy, but Dante intended to add something of his own. Good or bad, it was worth a try.

His emotions were still reeling from the earlier encounter with Maia.

Along with anger, he'd seen hurt in her eyes. For that, he had no one to blame but himself. But, if he'd known how things were going to turn out with Bea, he would have never slept with Maia. What was he thinking? Of course, he would have. It was sex, and when had he ever refused that? Oh yeah. Never. Damn, he was a prick. At least he had been. But, no more.

Maia was the sweetest, kindest, most authentic woman he'd ever met. And she was right. He knew sleeping with him meant more than a casual encounter for her. And if he was honest, for him, too.

No. He'd never been in love before. But, he'd been at the threshold ready to fall. With Maia.

No need thinking about her or what might have been. At least he'd learned from the experience. His womanizing days were over. He didn't want to be responsible for that kind of pain again. He hoped someday she'd be able to forgive him.

Silbie needed to stop obsessing over Owen. He infuriated her. How could he not see having loved ones in his life would make things better?

She'd been patient long enough. Time to take action. Hell, he'd been reluctant to her advances in the beginning, but soon learned once she set her mind to something, nothing could stop her. Not even his pig-headed attitude.

The dog was a good start, but more importantly, she needed to confront him. Once she had him alone in a room, no way, he'd be able to resist. According to Dante, Owen still loved her but felt unworthy. No doubt, the ordeal he'd been through had scarred him, but from all she'd read, support of loved ones played a big role in recovery.

Since he'd cut himself off from the world of technology, her only method of contact was either show up in person, or snail mail. After tomorrow, she'd be up to her neck finishing the Rayne sequel, and since the studio agreed to her concessions, begin shooting The French Mistress.

From the looks of her schedule, she wouldn't have enough days for a quick plane trip until the mistress movie changed locations. Until then, her hands were tied, and she'd have to depend on Dante for information concerning Owen's progress.

"Geronimo!"

Logan's war cry followed by a loud splash got her attention. She zipped to the door and peeked out as he emerged from the pool. He climbed up the stairs to the diving board, yelled again, and cannon-balled into the water. Silbie couldn't help but laugh. He was the biggest kid she'd ever met.

Jolene rushed outside and screamed, "I swear Logan, you're going to wake up everyone in the neighborhood."

He slicked his hair back and wiped water from his face. "It's barely nine o'clock. Nobody is asleep yet. C'mon, get in with me."

Silbie joined them and waited for Jolene's reply, which she knew would be a refusal. She rarely swam because she hated getting her hair wet.

"No. I don't like swimming," Jolene said.

"But you have a pool," Logan said. "That's crazy."

"It came with the house."

Logan swung his attention to Silbie. "How about you, See-bee?"

"No, I'm not in the mood."

"You two are no fun."

Logan swam to the side and lifted out of the water. He really was a fine specimen of manhood. And so far, he'd not let his good looks or celebrity go to his head.

"Did you look at the script?" Jolene asked him.

Silbie zeroed in on him. "You got a movie offer?"

"Yeah, not a starring role. It's an ensemble cast. War movie." Then he turned his attention to Jolene. "Not sure about it. Maybe at Silbie's party, after I talk to some of those soldiers, I'll be more interested. You know, get first-hand accounts of what the military is really like. Besides, I have to test for the part. No guarantee I'll get it."

Jolene put her hands on her hips. "You know what? That's a great idea." She looked at Silbie. "You're giving them a whole week here, right?"

"Yes. Why? What do you have in mind?"

"Maybe one or two of them can set aside time to work with Logan. Teach him the jargon. How to handle a weapon. Anything that will give him an advantage." She slid her phone from her pocket. "When do they arrive?"

"Next Friday, and the party is on the following Wednesday. They'll be here until January 6th. I booked a floor for them at the Four Seasons. Along with the men and their families, Maia, Logan and I are also staying there. I have a room for you as well if you want a mini staycation."

"Just let me get the dates in my phone." She tapped the screen, then glanced at Silbie. "I'd love to. I've never spent the night at the Four Seasons. Will a spa treatment be included?"

Silbie laughed. "You bet. And a trip to Disney World and Rodeo Drive."

"Damn, See-bee, how much is this shindig costing?"

"A lot. But, it's only money. Besides, some of the men have families. I want to pamper them as much as possible. Being left behind all the time can't be easy. They deserve something for their sacrifices."

Logan pulled his brows together. Silbie recognized the expression. He'd gone into big brother mode.

"Is Owen coming?"

Silbie heaved a breath. As much as she wanted to believe in Dante's power of persuasion, Owen would never agree to see her. And her heart broke a little more.

My girls are not having an easy go of things. But it can only look up, right? Right?

TEASER: "What's wrong? One of the coyotes sniff you the wrong way?"

Wonder what thats about?