They followed the trail back to the horses, mounted and started down the trail.
At the bottom of the trail they dismounted and walked their horses for a while.
Gerald fell into stride with her. "I was surprised when Alex resigned and moved up here." His gaze took in the scenery around them. "But seeing all this, I can understand. I'll bet old man Medena was upset."
"I don't know," Carmen said. "I didn't even know about him until Alex was stabbed."
She glanced up at Gerald and grinned. "Secrets."
Gerald smiled sympathetically. "I guess that could get to be a problem with a spouse."
Carmen nodded. "Sometimes, but I admire his fortitude. I think part of the appeal when I first met him was the mystery - and his confidence. He always seemed to know what he wanted and how to go after it. I don't know why, but it made me feel both secure and frightened at the same time." She smiled. "Maybe because I was afraid he'd go away."
Gerald chuckled. "He was hooked before he came up here that first time. He protected your picture as if it was his personal property." His expression became distant. "I figured he'd bring you back to Texas." He shrugged. "I wondered if he'd regret leaving his job and family, but he seems to have adjusted well."
Carmen walked a little further before responding. It wasn't something she would normally say to a stranger, let alone a customer.
"Sometimes I'm afraid he'll grow tired of this - and me."
Gerald didn't respond. Maybe he wondered as well - maybe he considered it a loaded subject.
Carmen let out a long audible breath. "I don't understand the tension between him and his father."
"It wasn't always that way," Gerald said. "Alex and Morino were as close as brothers. He was never close to his father, but I guess they had a guarded relationship until his Mom and Dad were killed in the plane crash. He's been wounded pretty badly. I think he blamed his father for some reason. He's never explained that to me."
Carmen nodded. "He's been through a lot and I haven't been the best influence. I'm trying to change. Katie has been helping me crawl out of yesteryear and Alex is trying to make me less dependent."
Gerald frowned. "I thought you liked having him make the decisions." He shrugged again. "But I guess that would get old too - for both of you."