The ranch was truly spectacular, and Laura was amazed by the place. She hadn't had much contact with horses, but the stable was full of foals, and she petted each of them.
On the other side of the stable, there was a large enclosure with loose horses and men nearby. None of them approached or spoke to her; they greeted Berta, and for Laura, there was just a slight nod of the head.
She was grateful that those workers didn't come over to chat. She nostalgically recalled that just a few days ago, she would have loved to sit under one of those trees and talk. Her mother was terrified when Laura talked to anyone on the street, but it was automatic. She loved casual conversations, felt free, but even that was stolen by the attack; it took away her peace and replaced it with fear and loneliness
